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Countries by Median Age in Europe 2023

Countries by Median Age in Europe 2023

Global PopulationNovember 9, 2025

Looking at Europe’s population today, it’s clear the continent is aging fast. To understand this, it’s helpful to know what ‘median age’ means. The median age splits a population in half, with one half younger and the other older. This number shows how a country’s people are spread across age groups. For example, in Italy, half the people are now older than 47.5 years, while Albania has a much younger population with a median age of 36.3 years.

These figures reflect big changes in how European societies live, work, and plan for the future. The infographic shows this clearly, highlighting the wide range in median ages—from Italy’s 47.5 years to Albania’s 36.3 years—and revealing a continent where the south and west are aging quickly, while parts of Eastern Europe and the Balkans remain younger.

Understanding Italy’s Position as Europe’s Oldest Nation

Italy is now Europe’s oldest country, and the numbers are striking. As of 2023, the median age is 47.5 years, making Italy stand out even among other aging nations. This means half of Italians are older than 47.5, and half are younger. Not long ago, Italy had one of Europe’s highest birth rates, but things have changed. The shift happened because fertility rates have stayed low, around 1.24 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to keep the population steady.

The effects are visible everywhere: more empty schools, crowded retirement homes, and a smaller workforce trying to support a growing elderly population.

Key facts about Italy’s aging demographics:

Italy’s median age has increased by approximately 4 years between 2013 and 2023
People aged 80 and above now make up 7.7% of Italy’s population, more than double the proportion in 1991.
Italy has one of the highest percentages of residents over 65 in Europe at 24%
Birth rates have declined by 34.2% since 2008
Annually, Italy has 661,000 deaths versus 379,000 births.
Economic factors, such as high childcare costs and job insecurity, deter couples from having children.

Portugal and Greece: Close Runners-Up in the Aging Race

Portugal is second with a median age of 46.2 years, and Greece follows at 45.7 years. Both countries have seen birth rates fall and people live longer, much like Italy. In Portugal, the median age rose by 4.4 years from 2013 to 2023, one of the biggest jumps in Europe. Greece saw a similar 4-year increase. These countries are facing what economists call the “gray tsunami,” a surge of retirees that could strain pension systems and healthcare. The problem is even worse in rural areas, where many young people have moved to cities or left the country, leaving older residents with fewer services.

Key facts about Portugal and Greece:

Portugal’s median age rose from 42.4 in 2013 to 46.2 in 2023.
Greece experienced a 0.6-year increase in median age between 2021 and 2022, the highest in the EU.
Both countries have over 24% of their population aged 65 and above.
Life expectancy exceeds 80 years in both countries.
Portugal’s fertility is about 1.4 children per woman.
Greece’s population aged 80 and above increased by 3.3 percentage points between 2003 and 2023, the highest in the EU.

Germany and Spain: Economic Powerhouses Facing Demographic Headwinds

Germany, the biggest economy in Europe, is fourth with a median age of 45.1 years. Between 2022 and 2023, Germany’s median age dropped slightly by 0.1 years, likely because of immigration. Spain is next at 44.9 years, with its median age rising by 4.3 years from 2012 to 2022. Both countries face big economic challenges as their populations age.

Germany needs about 1.5 million immigrants each year to keep its workforce steady, while Spain’s fertility rate is just 1.29 children per woman, one of the lowest in Europe. It’s striking that these wealthy countries have great healthcare and people live longer, but even with generous family policies, they struggle to encourage higher birth rates.

Key facts about Germany and Spain:

Germany’s working-age population is projected to decrease by nearly 30% over the next 25 years.
Spain’s median age is expected to reach 51.79 years by 2050
Both countries experienced median age increases of over 4 years in the past decade.
Germany has one of the highest old-age dependency ratios in Europe.
Spain’s population would be declining without immigration.
Both nations face critical labor shortages in the healthcare and elder care sectors.

Eastern European Countries: Croatia, Bulgaria, and Serbia

Croatia’s median age is 44.8 years, Bulgaria’s is 44.3, and Serbia’s is 43.9. These Eastern European countries are aging quickly, even though they once encouraged large families. Now, Bulgaria and Croatia have median ages similar to Germany, but their economies are much weaker. In fact, Bulgaria now matches Portugal at 47.1 years, showing how fast things are changing. These countries face two big problems: their populations are getting older, and many young people are leaving for better jobs in Western Europe. This ‘brain drain’ speeds up aging, as fewer working-age people are left to support more elderly residents.

Key facts about Eastern European aging:

Bulgaria’s median age jumped from 42.6 to 47.1 (2014–2024).
Eastern European countries experience some of the fastest aging rates in Europe.
Emigration has removed millions of young workers from these countries since EU accession.
Serbia, though not an EU member, follows similar aging patterns with a median age of 43.9 years.
Old-age dependency ratios in these countries have nearly doubled since 1987
Latvia and Lithuania face some of Europe’s sharpest population declines.

Central Europe: Slovenia, Hungary, and Austria

Slovenia’s median age is 43.9 years, the same as Serbia’s. Hungary is at 43.3, and Austria at 43.1. These Central European countries are in the middle when it comes to Europe’s aging problem. Austria, being wealthier, can better handle the costs of an older population, but Hungary and Slovenia have a harder time. Hungary has tried to boost birth rates with generous family benefits, but the median age still rises. Slovenia, though small, keeps seeing its elderly population grow while birth rates stay low. Austria’s strong economy and location help it attract younger workers from nearby countries, which slows down its aging trend a bit.

Key facts about Central European demographics:

Hungary nearly doubled the employment rate for individuals aged 55–64 from 2009 to 2021.
Austria’s median age increased by 2.7 years between 2004 and 2024
Slovenia’s share of people aged 80 and above grew steadily, albeit from a relatively high baseline.
All three countries have fertility rates that are well below the replacement level.
Hungary offers extensive family benefits, including tax exemptions for mothers with four children.
Austria’s immigration policies have helped stabilize its demographic profile.

The Baltic States and Nordic Outliers: Latvia, Finland, and Czechia

Latvia’s median age is 43.1 years, the same as Austria’s. Finland is at 42.8, and Czechia at 42.7. The Baltic states, especially Latvia and Lithuania, are facing some of Europe’s toughest demographic problems. Latvia’s population has been shrinking for years because of low birth rates and many people leaving after joining the EU in 2004. Finland, even with its strong welfare system and economy, is also aging. Since the 1970s, Finland’s median age has gone up by over 30%, and by 2024, its fertility rate of 1.25 will be the lowest since records began in 1776. Czechia is a bit younger than its neighbors, thanks to a small baby boom in the early 2000s, but that effect has now faded.

Key facts about Baltic and Nordic aging:

Latvia’s population aged 65 and above increased by 3.3 points from 2003 to 2023.
Finland’s fertility rate of 1.25 in 2024 is the lowest in 250 years.ng
Estonia has the highest median age among the Baltic states at 42.5 years.
All three Baltic countries face old-age dependency ratios approaching 30%
Finland is projected to face significant labor shortages in the healthcare sector.
Czechia was one of the few EU countries where the share of children actually increased slightly.

Romania, Switzerland, and Lithuania: The 42-Year-Old Club

Romania, Switzerland, and Lithuania all have median ages close to 42 years: Romania at 42.6, Switzerland at 42.3, and Lithuania at 42.1. Romania is notable because it had one of Europe’s youngest populations in the 1990s, but its median age has jumped by 8.4 years between 2004 and 2024, the biggest increase in the EU. Switzerland, though not in the EU, is one of the continent’s richest countries, and its moderate median age is due to a strong economy and immigration policies that bring in younger workers. Lithuania, like other Baltic countries, has seen over half a million people leave since 1990, which has made its population older and smaller.

Key facts about this demographic cluster:

Romania experienced the steepest median age increase in the EU between 2004 and 2024
Switzerland’s prosperity and quality of life attract working-age immigrants.
Lithuania’s population has decreased by approximately 25% since independence.
Romania’s rural areas are aging even more rapidly than its urban centers.
Switzerland has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe at birth.
All three countries face challenges to the sustainability of their pension systems.

Ukraine, Netherlands, and Belgium: Navigating Complex Transitions

Before the war, Ukraine’s median age was 42.0 years. The Netherlands and Belgium both had a median age of 41.4 years. These countries have very different situations. Ukraine’s numbers are hard to track now because the war has displaced millions and caused many deaths, changing the population in ways we may not know for years. The Netherlands and Belgium, both wealthy countries, have handled aging better thanks to strong economies, good immigration systems, and solid social safety nets. The Netherlands has stayed relatively young because of higher fertility rates than Southern Europe, immigration, and good integration policies. Belgium’s diverse and immigrant-rich population has also helped slow its aging.

Key facts about demographic transitions:

Belgium recorded no change in median age between 2022 and 2023, showing stabilization.
The Netherlands experienced a slight decrease in median age in 2023
Ukraine’s war has created unprecedented demographic disruption, with millions displaced.
Belgian fertility rates remain higher than those in Mediterranean Europe at around 1.6 children per woman.
The Netherlands has a strong labor force participation among older workers.
Immigration flows significantly impact demographic profiles in both Western European nations.

Poland, Slovakia, and Denmark: The 41-Year Threshold

Poland’s median age is 41.3 years, the same as several other countries like the Netherlands and Belgium. Slovakia is also at 41.3, and Denmark is at 41.2. Poland’s aging has been dramatic, with its median age rising by 3.8 years in just ten years, moving from one of the youngest to a middle-ranking country. Poland faces special challenges: a fertility rate below 1.4, many young people leaving for work (especially after joining the EU), and a fast-growing elderly population. Slovakia’s median age jumped by 4 years from 2013 to 2023, one of the biggest increases in the EU. Denmark, even with its strong welfare system and family policies, is also aging, but its strong economy helps it manage the costs better.

Key facts about these transitioning nations:

Poland recorded a 5.5 percentage point increase in the population aged 65 and above between 2013 and 2023, the highest in the EU.
Slovakia’s median age in 1990 was just 31.2 years, the lowest in the region.
Denmark maintains high labor force participation rates among workers aged 55-64
Polish emigration has significantly impacted the country’s demographic structure.
Slovakia implemented pension reforms in 2022 that affected aging cost projections.
All three countries project significant increases in old-age dependency ratios by 2050

Belarus, Malta, and North Macedonia: Diverse Demographic Paths

Belarus has a median age of 40.5 years, while Malta and North Macedonia are both at 40.3. These countries have very different backgrounds. Belarus, which is politically and economically isolated, is losing population without much immigration to balance things out—or at least, its emigration is not well tracked. Malta is one of the EU’s smallest countries and stands out because its median age actually dropped by 0.4 years from 2012 to 2022, thanks to immigration and labor policies.

However, Malta also saw the biggest drop in the share of children aged 0-14, down by 6 percentage points from 2003 to 2023. North Macedonia, as a country hoping to join the EU, is already seeing demographic trends similar to Western Europe.

Key facts about diverse paths:

Malta’s median age decreased by 0.7 years between 2023 and 2024, unique among EU countries
Belarus faces a population decline without significant immigration to offset losses.
North Macedonia aged by 4.7 years in a decade, one of Europe’s fastest rates
Malta has one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe, at approximately 1.01 children per woman.
All three countries face pension system pressures despite younger median ages.
Migration patterns differ dramatically: Malta attracts workers, while others experience population loss.

Sweden, United Kingdom, and Norway: Maintaining Relative Youth

Sweden’s median age is 39.9 years, the United Kingdom’s is 39.8, and Norway’s is 39.5. These Nordic and Western European countries have kept their populations relatively young in different ways. Sweden was one of the few EU countries where the median age dropped slightly between 2013 and 2023, by 0.1 years, though new data shows it has now risen to 41.0 years. Sweden’s generous family policies, gender equality at work, and immigration have helped slow aging. The UK, even with Brexit making immigration harder, stays younger because of past immigration and higher birth rates in some groups. Norway, with its oil wealth, has strong family policies and a good economy that keep young people at home and attract newcomers.

Key facts about relative youth maintenance:

Sweden recorded the smallest increase in median age among EU countries over the 20-year period.
The UK’s median age is approximately 5 years lower than Italy’s
Norway maintains one of Europe’s highest employment rates for workers aged 55-64
All three countries have relatively high immigration rates, which skew their populations younger.
Sweden’s share of people aged 80+ increased by only 0.5 percentage points, the lowest in the EU
Strong labor market integration for immigrants contributes to younger demographic profiles.

Russia, Montenegro, and Luxembourg: The Under-40 Club

Russia’s median age is 39.5 years, Montenegro’s is 39.3, and Luxembourg’s is 38.9. Luxembourg is one of the EU’s youngest countries, which is unusual for such a wealthy nation. The main reason is immigration: over 40% of people in Luxembourg are not nationals, and the country attracts many young, skilled workers from Europe and beyond. This steady flow of working-age people keeps the median age low.

Montenegro, a Balkan country working toward EU membership, is still fairly young, partly because of higher birth rates in the past, though this is changing. Russia’s situation is more complicated, with some regions losing people quickly and others staying younger. Its large size and many ethnic groups mean there are big differences across the country.

Key facts about the under-40 club:

Luxembourg recorded only a 1.8-year increase in median age between 2004 and 2024, the second-lowest in the EU.
Over 41% of Luxembourg residents on January 1, 2023, were non-nationals
Montenegro’s population is aging, but it remains younger than most European nations.
Luxembourg has the highest GDP per capita in Europe, alongside the youngest EU population.
Russia faces significant regional variation in demographic profiles.
All three benefit from geographic or economic factors that attract younger populations

Moldova, Ireland, and Albania: Europe’s Youngest Nations

Moldova’s median age is 37.8 years, Ireland’s is 38.4, and Albania’s is 36.3, making them the youngest countries in Europe. Ireland is the EU’s youngest country because it kept higher birth rates than most of Europe into the 2000s, thanks to cultural and religious reasons. Even as birth rates fall, Ireland’s is still above the EU average. The country also draws many immigrants because of its strong economy and English language, with young professionals moving to cities like Dublin.

Albania is Europe’s youngest country, with half its people under 36.3 years. But Albania is aging quickly, twice as fast as the EU average, because many young people leave and birth rates are dropping. Moldova, the poorest country in Europe, also stays young but loses many working-age people to emigration.

Key facts about Europe’s youngest:

Ireland has the highest share of children aged 0-14 in the EU at 19.3%
Albania’s median age increased faster than any other European country between 2012 and 2022
Moldova experienced a 5.5-year increase in median age between 2013 and 2023
Ireland maintains a fertility rate of approximately 1.7, among Europe’s highest
Albania loses tens of thousands of young people to emigration annually.
All three countries have significant diaspora populations abroad.

The Implications and What Lies Ahead

The demographic data shows that Europe is going through major changes. We’re seeing what happens when populations age quickly and birth rates fall. The economic effects are huge: by 2050, the EU will have about two working-age people for every retiree, down from three today. Pension systems built for shorter lifespans now have to support people living into their 80s and 90s. Healthcare systems must shift to caring for more chronic illnesses and long-term needs. There are worker shortages in many fields, and while technology helps, it can’t fill every gap. Immigration is the main way to slow these trends, but it also brings political and social challenges.

Some countries, like Ireland and Luxembourg, have managed to stay younger by welcoming immigrants, while others struggle. The differences are clear—Italy’s median age of 47.5 years creates a very different society from Albania’s 36.3 years, even though they’re close by. These numbers reflect real lives: young people putting off having children, older people living longer but sometimes in poverty, healthcare workers under pressure, and governments racing to fix pension systems. Europe is in new territory, and the choices made now about families, immigration, retirement, healthcare, and the economy will shape its future. One thing is clear: by 2050, Europe will look very different, shaped by the powerful force of demographic change.

Here is a list of Countries by Median Age in Europe 2023:

Rank	Country	Median Age
1	Italy	47.5
2	Portugal	46.2
3	Greece	45.7
4	Germany	45.1
5	Bosnia and Herzegovina	44.9
6	Spain	44.9
7	Croatia	44.8
8	Bulgaria	44.3
9	Serbia	43.9
10	Slovenia	43.9
11	Hungary	43.3
12	Austria	43.1
13	Latvia	43.1
14	Finland	42.8
15	Czechia	42.7
16	Romania	42.6
17	Switzerland	42.3
18	Lithuania	42.1
19	Ukraine	42.0
20	Estonia	41.9
21	France	41.8
22	Belgium	41.4
23	Netherlands	41.4
24	Poland	41.3
25	Slovakia	41.3
26	Denmark	41.2
27	Belarus	40.5
28	North Macedonia	40.3
29	Malta	40.3
30	Sweden	39.9
31	United Kingdom	39.8
32	Norway	39.5
33	Russia	39.5
34	Montenegro	39.3
35	Luxembourg	38.9
36	Ireland	38.4
37	Moldova	37.8
38	Albania	36.3
39	Iceland	35.8
40	Kosovo	31.4