Eurostat: EU citizens chase 500 million

Residents of the European Union rose to 499.8 million at January 1, 2009 This is an increase of 0.4 percent compared to last year despite the reduction of population in Germany. These data suggest the European statistical office Eurostat. In early 2008 the population in all Member States is numbering 497.7 million.
Increase annually by 2.1 million people due to natural growth of 0.6 million and the other 1.5 million people from migration balance states Eurostat.
Launched in 2004 to increase natural growth has continued and in 2008 it is explained by a moderate increase in birth rate and relatively constant rate of mortality.
Total of 5.4 million babies were born last year in the Community, which is 10.9 births per 1000 people (increase to 10.6 in 2007). Between 2007 and 2008 the birth rate has increased in all EU member states except Germany, which fell from 8.3% to 8.2%. The greatest increase was registered in Lithuania – 10.4% versus 9.6% in 2007
Mortality rate in the EU has remained stable in 2008 with 9.7 deaths per 1000 people. Most it has increased in Germany – 10.3 percent versus 10.1 percent in 2007, in Malta (13.2 percent vs. 13 percent) and France (8.5 percent vs. 8.3 percent).
Total population in Germany has decreased by 168 thousand to 82.1 million inhabitants.
Opposite trend was observed in France, whose population grew by 368 thousand to 64.4 million in Spain (with over 545 thousand to 45.8 million), Italy (plus 434 thousand to 60.1 million ) and the UK (plus 441 thousand to 61.6 million people).
To 1 January, 2009 population in the euro area is generally numbering 328.7 million, which is 0.5 percent more than a year earlier.

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