65 and older

The old light continues to grow up by 2050 in Europe 450 million people - 10 million less than now. The total share of Europeans will also decrease: already now they make up only 7% of 6.428 billion earthlings. For comparison: 37.4% of the planet’s population live in China and India. These data are given in the annual Eurostat report - the main statistical management of the European Union.

The future reduction in the number of Europeans from the current 460 million people is already habitually explained by the low level of birth rate and the rapid aging of the population of Europe. Today, the children's population (up to 14 years) is approximately equal to the number of the group from 65 and older and is 16% of the total number of inhabitants of Europe. A further increase in a group of 65 years and a group reduction to 14 years is predicted.

By 2050, 30% of Europeans will be over 65, and the average ratio of working Europeans and pensioners will be 50 by 50%.

Eurostat also predicts an increase in the average life expectancy. Already today, male infants are promised on average 75 years of life, and girls - 81 years old. According to statistics, Icelandic men (79 years old) and Spanish women (almost 84 years old) now live among all Europeans.

The most age -old country is Italy, 14% of the population of which is over 65 years old. The younger of all is Ireland, where young people are 20.7% of the total number of citizens.

Among the positive trends is the preservation of the birth rate: an average of 1.5 children accounts for one resident of Europe. The percentage of children born out of marriage increased. If until 1995 every fifth child was illegitimate, now every third.

On average, women in Europe give birth in 29.5 years, and marry at 28 years.

In 2004, in Europe, a little less than five marriages consisted and two divorces per 1 thousand people were recorded. Most often, residents of Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Lithuania are divorced: in these countries there are about 6 divorces for 10 marriages.

They continue to respect family values in Greece, Spain, Cyprus and Malta. Record indicators are recorded in Italy and Ireland: 0.8 divorces per 1 thousand people. Italy is the leader in the duration of marriage before divorce - 16 years.

The preservation of the number of Europeans is influenced by migration. In 2004, Eurostat experts counted 1.85 million migrants in Europe. Two -thirds of them were in Spain and Italy. In Spain in 2004, 610 thousand were registered, in Italy - 558 thousand migrants. Germany leads in the number of applications for citizenship - 154 thousand. France - according to the number of passports issued: in 2004, 168 thousand people became French.

10/07/2007 / Polina Khimshiashvili, the material was published in the newspaper No. 187 dated 08.10.2007.