The EU’s statistics agency has predicted that Luxembourg will see a 10.9% increase in its population by 2032, a rate that is second only to Malta, which is projected to grow by 11.7%.

The overall projection for the entire EU is less optimistic, showing a marginal net decline of 0.03% in population under the baseline scenario, Eurostat said on Monday 18 August 2023.

In stark contrast to Luxembourg and Malta, 12 EU member states are expected to experience a net decline in their populations. Croatia tops this list with a projected net decrease residents by 13% by 2032, followed by Latvia at -9.1%, Bulgaria at -7.6% and Romania at -7%.

Among Luxembourg’s neighbouring countries, Belgium and France are forecasted to expand their populations modestly, by 2.8% and 2.1% by 2032, respectively, while Germany’s population is expected to grow at a very moderate rate of 0.3%.

For the year 2023 alone, Luxembourg leads the EU with an expected population growth rate of 1.5%.

Additionally, by 2032, Luxembourg is projected to maintain the highest proportion of its population aged between 15 and 74 years, standing at 76.9%, a slight decrease from the current rate of 77.4%.