Demographic phenomena are relevant aspects for all social, economic and environmental issues. Population dynamics, age structure and levels of birth rate, fertility and infant mortality draw a highly differentiated picture in the Mediterranean region.
Population ages 65 and above (% of total population)
Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population)
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people)
Fertility rate, total (births per woman)
Life expectancy at birth, total (years)
Mortality rate, infant (per 1,000 live births)
area_code
ordgeo
Countries
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2022
2023
2022
2021
Portugal
10.5
1.1
13.0
23.3
36.6
8.0
1.4
81.6
2.7
A
1
Spain
48.4
1.2
13.5
20.7
31.5
6.9
1.3
83.1
2.6
A
2
France
68.2
0.3
17.0
22.0
36.1
10.6
1.8
82.2
3.3
A
3
Italy
59.0
0.0
12.4
24.0
37.8
6.7
1.2
82.6
2.6
A
4
Slovenia
2.1
0.4
15.0
21.4
33.7
8.3
1.6
81.3
1.9
A
5
Croatia
3.9
-0.1
14.0
22.7
36.0
8.8
1.4
77.6
3.9
A
6
Greece
10.4
-0.6
13.6
23.1
36.6
7.3
1.4
80.6
3.4
A
7
Malta
0.6
4.1
13.2
19.6
29.1
8.1
1.2
82.7
5.0
A
8
Cyprus
1.3
0.7
15.8
15.2
22.0
10.0
1.3
81.9
2.7
A
9
Serbia
6.6
-0.7
14.6
20.5
31.5
9.3
1.5
75.5
4.6
B
10
Kosovo
1.8
-0.7
20.6
10.5
15.3
11.1
1.5
79.5
6.2
B
11
Bosnia and Herzegovina
3.2
-0.7
14.7
18.7
28.0
8.3
1.3
75.3
5.3
B
12
Montenegro
0.6
-0.2
17.9
16.9
26.0
11.4
1.7
76.2
2.4
B
13
North Macedonia
1.8
-1.1
15.9
15.1
21.9
9.9
1.4
74.4
4.6
B
14
Albania
2.7
-1.1
16.0
17.1
25.6
10.1
1.4
76.8
8.4
B
15
Turkiye
85.3
0.4
23.0
8.9
13.1
14.5
1.9
78.5
8.6
C
16
Syrian Arab Republic
23.2
4.9
29.7
4.7
7.2
20.5
2.7
72.3
18.1
C
17
Lebanon
5.4
-2.5
27.3
10.3
16.5
14.6
2.1
74.4
14.1
C
18
Jordan
11.3
0.5
31.5
4.0
6.2
21.6
2.7
74.2
12.6
C
19
Israel
9.8
2.1
27.9
12.2
20.3
19.0
2.9
82.7
2.8
C
20
West Bank and Gaza
5.2
2.4
38.4
3.6
6.2
27.7
3.4
73.4
13.8
C
21
Egypt, Arab Rep.
112.7
1.5
32.6
4.9
7.9
22.1
2.8
70.2
16.0
D
22
Libya
6.9
1.1
27.7
5.0
7.4
17.3
2.4
72.2
9.2
D
23
Tunisia
12.5
0.8
24.7
9.3
14.1
15.6
2.0
74.3
10.6
D
24
Algeria
45.6
1.6
30.4
6.6
10.5
20.6
2.8
77.1
19.2
D
25
Morocco
37.8
1.0
26.3
8.0
12.2
17.2
2.3
75.0
15.4
D
26
Some highlighted topics
Population size and dynamics
In 2023, the total population of the Mediterranean region is 576.6 million: 215.5 million in North Africa
(37.4% of the total), 204.2 million in the European Union (35.4%), 140.2 million in the Middle East (24.3%),
16.8 million in the Western Balkans (2.9%).
Over the last two decades, this population has increased by more than a quarter (+26.4%) since 2001, with
significant differences between and within geographic areas. North Africa presented the largest relative
increase (+45.4%), with Egypt contributing more in both absolute and relative terms (+39.9 million, +54.7%).
The overall dynamic of the Middle East was slightly lower (+39.1%), with the highest contribution of Turkey in
absolute terms (+20.3 million) and Jordan, West Bank and Gaza and Israel in relative terms (+119.6%, +72.3%
and +51.5% respectively). The demographic growth of the European Union's Mediterranean countries is very
limited (+8.6%), with more significant dynamics in Spain and France (respectively +18.4 and +11.1%), a
slightly positive balance in Italy (+3.5%) and a reduction in the number of inhabitants in Croatia and Greece.
Finally, the Western Balkans area showed an overall demographic decrease between 2001 and 2023 (-12.9%), which
affected Bosnia Herzegovina the most (-23.5%).
The demographic trend in terms of annual growth shows different types in the seven most populous countries
of the Mediterranean area (Figure 1). Egypt was for a long time the country with the strongest growth rate,
above + 2% per year, but since the middle of the last decade it has begun a reduction in the rate of
increase, partly similar to that of Algeria. On intermediate levels of demographic growth, between +1% and
+1.5%, stand Turkey and Morocco, both with a gradual reduction in population growth and, in the case of
Turkey, a sharp slowdown in 2023 (only +0.4% compared to the previous year). Among the European countries,
Spain's demographic growth is concentrated in the first decade and then declines sharply, although with a
recovery equal to + 1.2% in 2023; that of France has a more regular trend, constantly below one percentage
point of annual growth and at more modest levels in recent years; finally, the Italian figure presents the
least expansive dynamics, with eight consecutive years of demographic decline between 2015 and 2022, while
2023 is stationary.
Figure 1 - Annual population growth in the most populous countries of the Mediterranean region. Period
2001-2023 (% compared to the previous year)
...
Demographic structure
In 2023, the population under the age of 14 accounts for one quarter or more of the total population in
almost all Middle Eastern and North African countries, with the highest values in West Bank and Gaza
(38.4%), Egypt (32.6%) and Jordan (31.5%). In the European Union countries, on the other hand, this
indicator shows a maximum value for France of 17%, and a minimum for Italy (12.4%). The Western Balkans area
has slightly higher shares of the under-14 population than the EU area, with a maximum value for Kosovo
(20.6%).
Vice versa, for the elderly population aged 65 and over the EU countries show the highest values, above 20%,
except for Cyprus and Malta, and a maximum value for Italy (24%). Slightly lower is the share of the elderly
in the population of the Western Balkans and much lower in the non-European countries, where only Israel and
Lebanon have percentages of the elderly exceeding, albeit slightly, 10%.
Birth rate and fertility
A higher proportion of young people in the Middle East and North Africa corresponds to higher birth and
total fertility rates. For both indicators, the highest values in 2022 concern West Bank and Gaza, with 27.7
live births per thousand inhabitants and 3.38 children per woman. For the birth rate, Egypt and Jordan
follow (22.1 and 21.6 per thousand respectively); for the total fertility rate Israel (2.92 children per
woman) and Egypt (2.84).
At the other extreme, the birth rate is particularly low in EU countries, especially Italy, Spain and
Greece, with rates of 6.7, 6.9 and 7.3 per thousand inhabitants respectively. The total fertility rate is
lowest in Italy (1.20 children per woman), followed by Malta (1.22) and Spain (1.29).
Considering the most populous countries in the Mediterranean area, the evolution of fertility since the
beginning of the century has followed different trajectories (Figure 2). In the European countries, the
average number of children per woman reached higher values at the end of the first decade (Spain 1.45; Italy
1.44; France 2.03), then returned to the levels of the beginning of the period. For Egypt, Morocco and
Turkey, between the extremes of the 2001-2023 period, this indicator shows a reduction of several decimal
points, which is particularly evident in the most recent years; in the case of Turkey, this has led in 2023
to fertility levels now close to those in France.
Figure 2 - Total fertility rate in the most populous countries of the Mediterranean region. Period 2001-2023
(average no. of children per woman)
...
Life expectancy and infant mortality
Mortality and life expectancy indicators show in the most recent data three distinct typologies in the
Mediterranean area (Figure 3). Firstly, nine countries with a total life expectancy (male and female) above
80 years: these are eight EU countries (with the exception of Croatia), plus Israel. In all these countries,
the infant mortality rate is below 5 per thousand live births, and in several cases (Portugal, Spain, Italy,
Slovenia, Cyprus and Israel) below 3 per thousand live births. The highest value for total life expectancy
in 2022 is in Spain (83.1 years). Then there are several countries with a life expectancy below 80 years,
accompanied by infant mortality below the 10 per thousand threshold: in addition to Croatia, all Western
Balkan countries, Turkey, Tunisia and Libya. Finally, even higher values of infant mortality mark the other
countries of the Middle East and North Africa, accompanied by a life expectancy at birth always lower
(except in Algeria) than 75 years; among these countries, the most critical data for both indicators concern
Egypt and Syria.
Figure 3 - Life expectancy at birth (M and F) and infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births). Years 2021
(for infant mortality rate) and 2022 (for life expectancy at birth)
...
This chart is optimized for wider resolutions. The experience on smartphones might not be complete.
Metadata
Indicators
Definition
Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from: United Nations Population Division, National Statistical Offices, Eurostat; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Data are collected through different kinds of sources: national population censuses; estimates for the years before and after the census based on demographic models; administrative data.
Notes
Errors and undercounting occur even in high-income countries. In developing countries errors may be substantial because of limits in the transport, communications, and other resources required to conduct and analyze a full census. The quality and reliability of official demographic data are also affected by public trust in the government, government commitment to full and accurate enumeration, confidentiality and protection against misuse of census data, and census agencies' independence from political influence.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from: United Nations Population Division, National Statistical Offices, Eurostat; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Total population growth rates are calculated on the assumption that rate of growth is constant between two points in time. The growth rate is computed using the exponential growth formula: r = ln(pn/p0)/n, where r is the exponential rate of growth, ln() is the natural logarithm, pn is the end period population, p0 is the beginning period population, and n is the number of years in between. Note that this is not the geometric growth rate used to compute compound growth over discrete periods.
Notes
Errors and undercounting occur even in high-income countries. In developing countries errors may be substantial because of limits in the transport, communications, and other resources required to conduct and analyze a full census. The quality and reliability of official demographic data are also affected by public trust in the government, government commitment to full and accurate enumeration, confidentiality and protection against misuse of census data, and census agencies' independence from political influence.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Percentage of older dependents--people older than 64--to the working-age population--those ages 15-64, at the 1st January of each year.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from United Nations Population Division; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Age structure in the World Bank's population estimates is based on the age structure in United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects. A description of the empirical data used and the methods applied in revising past estimates of population and components of demographic change is available for each country in: https://population.un.org/wpp/DataSources/.
Notes
Dependency ratios capture variations in the proportions of children, elderly people, and working-age people in the population that imply the dependency burden that the working-age population bears in relation to children and the elderly. But ratios show only the age composition of a population, not economic dependency. Some children and elderly people are part of the labor force, and many working-age people are not.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total population at the 1st January of each year.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from United Nations Population Division; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Age structure in the World Bank's population estimates is based on the age structure in United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects. A description of the empirical data used and the methods applied in revising past estimates of population and components of demographic change is available for each country in: https://population.un.org/wpp/DataSources/.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population at the 1st January of each year.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from United Nations Population Division; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Age structure in the World Bank's population estimates is based on the age structure in United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects. A description of the empirical data used and the methods applied in revising past estimates of population and components of demographic change is available for each country in: https://population.un.org/wpp/DataSources/.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from: United Nations Population Division, National Statistical Offices, Eurostat; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
The rates are based on data from birth and death registration systems, censuses, and sample surveys by national statistical offices and other organizations, or on demographic analysis. The estimates may be projections based on extrapolations of levels and trends from earlier years or interpolations of population estimates and projections from the United Nations Population Division.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
The average number of live births a hypothetical cohort of women would have at the end of their reproductive period if they were subject during their whole lives to the fertility rates of a given period and if they were not subject to mortality. It is expressed as live births per woman.
Sources
a) United Nations Population Division; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
It results from the sum of the specific fertility rates calculated by comparing, for each fertile age, the number of live births to the average annual amount of the female population.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.
Sources
a) World Bank Development Indicators, from: United Nations Population Division, National Statistical Offices, Eurostat; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Life expectancy at birth used here is the average number of years a newborn is expected to live if mortality patterns at the time of its birth remain constant in the future. It reflects the overall mortality level of a population, and summarizes the mortality pattern that prevails across all age groups in a given year. It is calculated in a period life table which provides a snapshot of a population's mortality pattern at a given time. It therefore does not reflect the mortality pattern that a person actually experiences during his/her life, which can be calculated in a cohort life table.
Notes
Annual data series from United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects are interpolated data from 5-year period data. Therefore they may not reflect real events as much as observed data. High mortality in young age groups significantly lowers the life expectancy at birth. But if a person survives his/her childhood of high mortality, he/she may live much longer. For example, in a population with a life expectancy at birth of 50, there may be few people dying at age 50. The life expectancy at birth may be low due to the high childhood mortality so that once a person survives his/her childhood, he/she may live much longer than 50 years.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
Number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.
Sources
a) United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation; b) Istat for Italy
Methodology
Depending on the data source, mortality rates can be calculated several ways: a) Vital Registration – The calculation of Infant mortality rates is derived from a standard period abridged life table using the age-specific deaths and mid-year population counts from civil registration data. b) Survey and Census Data (Birth Histories and Sibling Survival Histories) - Survey and census data on under-five child mortality typically come in one of two or forms: the full birth history (FBH), whereby women are asked for the date of birth of each of their children, whether the child is still alive, and if not, the age at death; and the summary birth history (SBH), whereby women are asked only about the number of children they have ever given birth to and the number that have died (or, equivalently, the number still alive). Either birth history results in retrospective child mortality rates referring to some period prior to the survey date. Rates can be derived using a direct estimation method from the FBH. SBH data, collected by censuses and many household surveys, can be used to derive retrospective infant, child and under-five mortality rate estimates by using an indirect estimation method, i.e. a proxy is used for the exposure time of the mother’s children to the risk of death. The Brass method and model life tables are used to obtain an indirect estimate of infant and under-five mortality rates. Istat data for Italy fall into case a) (Vital statistics on causes of death) and refer to mortality by territory of residence.
Presence in policy-oriented statistical systems
ENP-South Eurostat Data Browser: Area 'Population and Social conditions'
