Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union
1.2. Contact organisation unit
[4D1_F2] Eurostat - Population and migration
F2: Population
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
2920 Luxembourg LUXEMBOURG
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
27 July 2026
2.2. Metadata last posted
27 July 2026
2.3. Metadata last update
27 July 2026
3.1. Data description
These summary metadata refer to the first results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
Member States send to Eurostat the first results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference (T), containing the total population figure on 31 December of year T (further published by Eurostat as Population on 1 January of year T+1), total births and total deaths during year T. This data collection is defined under Regulation 1260/2013 on European demographic statistics. Countries may also transmit to Eurostat, on voluntary basis, provisional data on total immigration, emigration and net migration during the year (T).
Eurostat's data collection on the above figures is called DEMOBAL and it is carried out in June of each year. Eurostat publishes these first demographic estimates in July of each year in the online database, in the table Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates (demo_gind).
These first demographic estimates may either be confirmed or updated by Eurostat's demographic data collection taking place in December each year (called Unidemo), whereby countries submit detailed breakdowns (e.g. by age and sex) of their yearly population data, including data on migration, both at national and at regional level. The online table Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates (demo-gind) will be accordingly updated. This table includes the latest updates on total population, births and deaths reported by the countries, while the detailed breakdowns by various characteristics included in the rest of the tables of the Eurostat database (Demography domain and Migration, for example the Population by citizenship and by country of birth table) may be transmitted to Eurostat at a subsequent date.
The individual metadata files reported by the countries are attached to this metadata file.
3.2. Classification system
Not applicable.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Population on 1 January
Eurostat aims at collecting from the EU Member States data on population on 1 January. The recommended definition is the 'usually resident population' and represents the number of inhabitants of a given area on 1 January of the year in question (or, in some cases, on 31st December of the previous year). The population transmitted by the countries can also be either based on data from the most recent census adjusted by the components of population change produced since the last census, either based on population registers. (More detailed information is available in the national metadata files.)
Usual residence means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage. The following persons alone are considered to be usually residents of the geographical area in question:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
Average population
The average population is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the population on 1st January of two consecutive years. The average population is further used in the calculation of demographic indicators, like the crude rates per 1000 persons.
Population change
The difference between the size of the population at the end and the beginning of the period Specifically, it is the difference in population size on 1 January of two consecutive years. A positive population change is also referred to as population growth. A negative population change is also referred to as population decline.
The population change consists of two components: natural change and net migration.
Natural change of population
The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths during the year. A positive natural change, also known as natural increase, occurs when live births outnumber deaths. A negative natural change, also named as natural decrease, occurs when live births are less numerous than deaths.
Net migration plus statistical adjustment
Net migration is the difference between the number of immigrants and the number of emigrants. In the context of the annual demographic balance however, Eurostat produces net migration figures by taking the difference between total population change and natural change; this concept is referred to as net migration plus statistical adjustment. The statistics on 'net migration plus statistical adjustment' are therefore affected by all the statistical inaccuracies in the two components of this equation, especially population change. From one country to another 'net migration p statistical adjustment' may cover, besides the difference between inward and outward migration, other changes observed in the population figures between 1 January in two consecutive years which cannot be attributed to births, deaths, immigration and emigration.
The ‘Net migration plus statistical adjustment’ indicator is consistent with population stock changes over time, and it is typically used for the calculation of the EU population projections.
Population turnover
The total magnitude of changes in membership experienced by a population. It shows the 'gross' effect of the population components, by adding up gains (births and immigration) and losses (deaths and emigration) in a population, as compare to the population change which shows their 'net' effect. The population turnover consists of two components: natural turnover and migration turnover plus statistical adjustment.
Natural turnover
The sum of births and deaths numbers.
Migration turnover plus statistical adjustment
The sum of immigration, emigration numbers and the statistical adjustment reported in the population.
Crude rates
A crude rate is calculated as the ratio of the number of events to the average population of the respective area in a given year. For easier presentation, it is multiplied by 1000; the result is therefore expressed per 1000 persons (of the average population).
The table below presents a summary with the reported reference populations based on which statistics on population, births and deaths are tranmsitted by the national statistical institutes to Eurostat.
1. Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
AL, BA, BE, BG, CY, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, ME, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, BA, RS, UK
AL, BG, EE, EL, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, UK
AD, CH, LI, FI, AZ, TR
AT, CZ, DK, IS, LU, NL, NO, SE
DE
Emigrants
AL, BG, EE, EL, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, UK
AD, CH, LI, FI, AZ, TR
AT, CZ, DK, IS, LU, NL, NO, SE
DE
'Usually Resident Population' as stated in Article 2 of Regulation 1260/2013.
'Legal Residence Population' is composed of those persons who are entitled to be settled in the country at the reference date, either by holding the national citizenship or by other authorization issued by national authorities.
'Registered Residence Population' is composed of those persons who are listed on one or more registers owned by national authorities at the reference date. Each registered person shall be counted only once.
3.5. Statistical unit
Th statistical unit used is ''person'' as indicated in the online database or deductible from the title of tables or of the indicator.
3.6. Statistical population
Statistical population is total population as defined in 3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions.
3.7. Reference area
The population statistics are disseminated by single country, by region and by aggregates of countries, as follows:
Other countries: Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Monaco, Russian Federation, San Marino and United Kingdom.
The geographical aggregates European Union and Euro Area, on which the dissemination covers at least the current and the previous version of their composition, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
For details on geographical changes over time see the notes by country under 15.2 Comparability over time.
National refers to the territory of a Member State within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 applicable at the reference time.
Regional refers to NUTS level 1, NUTS level 2 or NUTS level 3 as defined in the Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 and available according to the classification in force at the reference time; where this term is used in connection with countries that are not members of the European Union, "regional" means the Statistical Regions at level 1, 2 or 3, as agreed between those countries and the Commission (Eurostat), at the reference time.
Statistics from the UK were available only until the withdrawal of the country from the EU. In April 2026 the upcoming association of the UK to the Erasmus+ programme was announced. In view to calculate the UK's financial contribution to the participation, UK was asked to transmit population data and related metadata information, which are now available in the table demo_gind.
3.8. Coverage - Time
The available time series collected and published in Eurostat database varies with the population breakdowns, with the longest time series starting in 1960 for national data and 1990 for regional data, and continuing to the latest available reference year.
The completeness of the time series of the demography and migration statistics collected on voluntary basis before the entering into force of the regulations listed in "6.1 Institutional mandate – legal acts and other agreements"and of the statistics which continue to be supplied to Eurostat on voluntary basis today depends on the availability of data transmitted by the national statistical institutes.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Population, births and deaths figures are disseminated in integer numbers.
A crude rate is calculated as the ration of the number of events to the average population of the respective area in a given year. For easier presentation, it is multiplied by 1000: the result is therefore expressed per 1000 persons (of the average population).
Data referring to population on 31 December of the reference year are transmitted by the EU Member States to Eurostat under the Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 on European demographic statistics. The data are conventionally published by Eurostat as 1 January of the following year (reference year + 1).
The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics (recital 24 and Article 20(4)) of 11 March 2009 (OJ L 87, p. 164), stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
First demographic estimates (of year T) are released in July of the following year (T+1).
Regular updates of the Eurostat database are done in-between releases, as National Statistical Institutes transmit revisions of their data.
Note:
The most updated data on total population on 1 January for a country may be found in the table ''Demographic balance and crude rates (demo_gind)'' of the online database. This table includes the latest updates (or revised data) on total population, births and deaths reported by the countries, while the detailed breakdowns by various characteristics included in the rest of the tables of the domain may be transmitted to Eurostat at a subsequent date.
A few situations may arise which result in displaying different figures for the population on 1 January in the different available tables or datasets for a period of time. Possible underlying reasons are:
The timing of the transmission or re-transmission of data to Eurostat in case of revision of the population data for various breakdowns.
The successive annual demography data collections outlined above, as data on total population and the available breakdowns of population data by various characteristics are collected and updated at different times during the calendar year.
The calendars of the national statistical institutes for producing and releasing population data broken down by characteristics, which are part of the voluntary data collection, and the timing of data transmission to Eurostat.
While the processing of population revisions is ongoing, it may happen that EU and EA aggregates are not fully syncronised with the corresponding sum of countries.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not available.
8.3. Release policy - user access
In line with the Community legal framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice Eurostat disseminates European statistics on Eurostat's website (see item 10 - 'Accessibility and clarity') respecting professional independence and in an objective, professional and transparent manner in which all users are treated equitably. The detailed arrangements are governed by the Eurostat protocol on impartial access to Eurostat data for users.
Population statistics are revised on a continuous base according to the most recent data released and transmitted to Eurostat by the National Statistical Institutes. The geographical aggregates and the demographic indicators are accordingly revised.
Dissemination is made in line with the 8.1 Release calendar and with 17.1 Data revision-policy.
For methodology documentation of each National Statistical Institute, please see the attached national metadata files.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
Not available.
11.1. Quality assurance
Summary information on quality assurance by country, based on the country metadata files sent by the national statistical institutes:
BE
All the statistical validation process is oriented towards the assurance of quality (internal coherence controls, cross-checks when available...)
BG
Quality of data is assured through procedures for data validation, editing, coding and verifying. The procedures are performed following clearly prescribed rules.
CZ
The system of checks for inconsistent data has been developed.
Checks of completeness are performed with data from the population register.
DK
The register on population statistics is based on daily updates from the Danish Population Register. All occurrences on the resident population such as internal and external migration, births, deaths, marriages and divorces are registered in the Population Register. Statistics Denmark waits 30 days after a reference date before producing the population data, in order to ensure the updates from delayed registrations.
DE
The intercensal population updates use the results of the last census as a basis and the results of the national migration statistics and of the vital statistics for the update (component method). All the data included in the calculation of total population were previously subject to a variety of measures to ensure the reliability of the results. The administrative data collected from population registers and from vital registers for the migration statistics and for vital statistics are subject to continuous plausibility checks and are checked for double counting or missing data deliveries. If a data provider detects errors in its data and corrects them, the correction is sent and taken into account in the intercensal population update.
EE
To assure the quality of processes and products, Statistics Estonia applies the EFQM Excellence Model, EU Statistics Code of Practice and the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). Statistics Estonia is also guided by the requirements provided for in § 7. „Principles and quality criteria of producing official statistics” of the Official Statistics Act.
IE
The principle source of the migration estimates which in turn feed into progress population quarterly estimates, using the most recent census as a base year, is the Labour Force Survey (LFS).
The survey interviewers receive continuous training and the data returns undergo quality and validation checks.
The inter Census population estimates are subject to revision following the publication of the Census of population, the Census of Population is conducted every 5 years. The latest Census of population was scheduled for April 2021 but was postponed until April 2022 due to the pandemic, defacto population results from the Census are schedule to be published throughout 2023. Detailed usual resident results became availabe during Summer 2023. These results were analysed extensively and the intercensal period (2017 - 2021) was revised. Using the POPSTAT infastructure, POP, IMM and EMI hypercubes for the period were revised and transmitted to Eurostat using EDAMIS.
Quality assurance framework for the INE statistics is based on the ESSCoP, the European Statistics Code of Practice, made by EUROSTAT. The ESSCoP is made up of 15 principles, gathered in three areas: Institutional Environment, Processes and Products. Each principle is associated with some indicators which make possible to measure it. In order to evaluate quality, EUROSTAT provides different tools: the indicators mentioned above, self-assessment based on the DESAP model, peer review, user satisfaction surveys and other proceedings for evaluation.
FR
Population: see in English:Documentation on census results and in French Recensement de la population . Births: Quality checks are done about double counts, exhaustivity (for instance by comparing with social security data), consistency. Deaths: Quality checks are done about double counts, exhaustivity, inconsistencies, errors... INSEE compares the death certificates with bulletins in order to check the exhaustiveness of the bulletins received. INSEE tries then to recover missing bulletins 7 bis from municipalities.
HR
"Implementation of Total Quality Management in Croatian Bureau of Statistics″ (CBS, Zagreb, 2015) and ″Handbook for Calculation of Quality Indicators″ (CBS, Zagreb, 2015) available on the website of the Croatian Bureau of Statistics:
Population change and stock data are checked before being uploaded into the database and disseminated to the public. The validation rules are established to ensure the data consistency and the comparability along times of indicators.
CY
The quality of statistics in CYSTAT is managed in the framework of the European Statistics Code of Practice which sets the standards for developing, producing and disseminating European Statistics as well as the ESS Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). CYSTAT endorses the Quality Declaration of the European Statistical System. In addition, CYSTAT is guided by the requirements provided for in Article 12 of the Statistics Law No. 15(I) of 2000 as well as Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics, which sets out the quality criteria to be applied in the development, production and dissemination of European statistics.
CSB has introduced Quality Management System (QMS). The system is directed towards providing high user satisfaction and ensuring compliance with regulatory enactments. Based on the structure of Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM), QMS defines and at the level of procedures describes processes of statistical production as well as sets the persons responsible for the monitoring of processes at all stages of the statistical production. QMS defines the sequence how processes are implemented (i.e., activities to be performed (incl. verifications of processes and statistics, sequence and implementation requirements thereof, as well as persons responsible for the implementation)), procedures used in the evaluation of processes and statistics, as well as any improvements needed.
Since 2018, QMS of the CSB has been certified by the standard ISO 9001:2015 “Quality Management Systems. Requirements” (scope of certification: development, production and dissemination of official statistics).
LT
Quality of statistical information and its production process is ensured by the provisions of the European Statistics Code of Practice and ESS Quality Assurance Framework.
Monitoring of the quality indicators of statistical processes and their results and self-evaluation of statistical survey managers is regularly carried out in order to identify areas which need improvement and to promptly eliminate shortcomings.
All the data are coming from the RNPP (persons register). Some quality checks are made. We also contact the municipalities if we have some doubts on some figures (very old persons for example).
HU
Statistics are compiled in accordance with the principles of the European Statistics Code of Practice. The Hungarian Central Statistical Office has a publicly available Quality Policy. Quality principles for the statistical production process have been developed in line with Eurostat requirements and recommendations. With regard to product quality, Eurostat quality reports are completed for certain statistics, and quality indicators are calculated. For all subject-matter statistics, a documentation sheet covering the main methodological information is completed annually.
MT
Many efforts are made by NSO in order to ensure the production of demographic statistics at high quality standards. Measures that are implemented during the analysis stage include:
thorough checks on the administrative registers used for the compilation of vital events;
thorough checks on the administrative data used for the compilation of migration flows;
checks for double counting;
validation and cross-checking of results with auxiliary sources and past year's data, including census results.
NL
Not available.
AT
See metadata information under Point 10
PL
Sets of data on population do not include duplicated and inconsistent records. Correctness of data on births, deaths, and migration is guaranteed by Civil Status Offices and registration offices. Additionally, it is controlled by Statistics Poland.
PT
Not available.
RO
Live-births and deaths were produced according to the Article 2 (e) of Regulation (EU) 1260/2013.
Statistical adjustment also includes records of births and deaths occurred abroad and in the country prior to the t moment and which were declared late in the civil status offices.
The indicators on international migration were produced using processed data from administrative sources, data received from the national statistical institutes of Spain and Italy, the Eurostat database on the population and international migration as well as the results of an econometric model based on small-area estimation techniques with a view to assessing the size of international migration (mirror statistics).
The t point for usual resident population on 1st of January 2026 was the usually resident population of Romania on 1st of January 2025 to which the following elements were added:
the natural increase of the population in 2025 (the number of live births minus the number of deceased persons);
the balance of the international migratory movement in 2025 determined as the difference between the number of immigrants (Romanian citizens, foreign citizens or persons without citizenship who established their usual residence in Romania) and the number of emigrants (Romanian citizens who established their usual residence abroad);
the balance of the internal migratory movement with change of legally residence in 2025, determined as the difference between the number of persons who arrived in a county and the number of persons who left it.
In computing data for usual population on 1st of January 2026 we also applied the guidelines on the inclusion of refugees from Ukraine who benefit from temporary protection in the EU in the usually resident population.
Thus, we took into account both criteria for estimating usual residents:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
The Quality Declaration expresses basic visions and commitments of the President and Top-Management of the SO SR to Quality Policy of the SO SR, as well as to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the Integrated Quality Management System of the SO SR. Quality policy is based on the mission of the SO SR to provide high quality and objective statistical products and services by keeping confidentiality of statistical data and by minimising burden on interested parties using effectively existing resources with the aim to support improvement of the information and intellectual capital of customers.
Statistics is produced in accordance with relevant EU legislation, in line with the principles of the European Statistical Code of Practice. Live births and deaths are defined in accordance with Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and immigrants and emigrants in accordance with Article 2.1 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007.
The Statistical Office of the SR holds certificates in the areas:
The SO SR produces technical projects describing the data processing, including a description of the statistical controls and algorithms within the Integrated Statistical Information System. The system of automatic checks and algorithms for consistency and completeness of collected data has been developed.
FI
The Digital and Population Data Service Agency has charged Statistics Finland with the task of conducting a sample survey on correctness of address information. Around 11,000 people are asked whether their address in the Population Information System is correct. In the most recent survey in 2012, the address was correct for 98.9 per cent of the respondents.
Population development is produced from two statistical systems: population structure and population change systems. These two systems are governed by two different organisations namely the Digital and Population Data Service Agency and National Statistical Office. The target is that the difference between population number at the beginning and at the end of the year must be the same as the population increase from the population change system or that it is very small. From 1990 to 2021 population has increased from around 5 million to 5,5 million and the correction for the population increase has changed approximately annually from -1 600 to +1 500. The result is very good.
SE
Quality assessment is carried out together with external quality experts. The results from the assessment provide input to quality improvements.
In addition to the automatic checks of the data, the publication is controlled by a second person according to the 4-eyes principle based on predefined rules. More info available in the national metadata.
NO
In addition to the controls done by the National Register, Statistics Norway performs checks for statistical purposes.
Some errors made during the collecting and processing of the data are unavoidable and include coding, revision and data processing errors etc. Extensive efforts have been made to minimize these errors, and we regard these types of errors to be relatively insignificant.
The quality of the basic data from the National Population Register is generally very good for statistical purposes. Two drawbacks are nevertheless late or missing notifications and registration of emigration.
BHAS follows the recommendations on organization and quality management given in the European Statistics Code of Practice (CoP) and implements the guidelines given in the European Statistical System Quality Assurance Framework (QAF). More, regarding quality assurance, all procedures that describe the quality policy in BHAS can be found in the document: Quality Management Policy and Program in the Agency for Statistics of BiH.
Population change are checked before being uploaded into the database and disseminated to the public. The validation rules are established to ensure the data consistency and the comparability along times of indicators. Sets of data on population do not include duplicated and inconsistent records. Correctness of data on number of births and deaths is guaranteed by National Bureau of Statistics of Republic of Moldova
ME
Bearing in mind that as a data source using data from administrative register, the basic issue in ensuring quality compliance is the definition and coverage. Statistical office during preparation of Agreement with Ministry of Interior addressed the special attention to these issues.
MK
The quality of the processes and products in the State Statistical Office is ensured by adhering to the European Statistics Code of Practice and the Quality Assurance Framework within the European Statistical System (ESS Quality Assurance Framework). The quality criteria are also determined in the Law on State Statistics in Article 4b and Article 4c.
The commitment of the SSO to ensuring quality of products and services is described in the Law on State Statistics, the Strategy of the State Statistical Office and the Quality Policy of the State Statistical Office as well as in the continuous efforts for harmonisation with the European Statistics Code of Practice. The main aspects and procedures for quality management in the phases and sub-phases of the Statistical Business Process Model, as well as the good practices for ensuring quality are documented in the internal document called “Guide for ensuring quality of statistical processes”. Input and output metadata, as well as relevant quality indicators for certain sub-processes are described in the document “Guide for survey managers”.
AL
INSTAT is committed to ensure the highest quality with respect to the compilation of statistical information. In accordance with the Statistics Law, INSTAT use statistical methods and processes in compliance with internationally recognized scientific principles and standards conduct ongoing analyses of the statistics with a view to quality improvements and ensure that statistics are as up to-date. In performing its tasks it follows the general principles of quality management from the European Statistics Code of Practice. INSTAT declares that it takes into account the following principles: impartiality, quality of processes and products, user orientation, employee orientation, effectiveness of statistical processes, reducing the workload for respondents. Quality controls and validation of data are actions carried out throughout the process. The staff is involved in different stages of index calculation, such as the data collection, data control, data input and other necessary control are all well trained. This helps the staff to know the enterprises and their responsibilities and keep an updated collaboration.
RS
Data is validated before publishing in SORS.
TR
TurkStat Quality Assurance Framework is available at website of the TurkStat.
Instutional Quality Reports are also available at the metadata section of the related press release.
AZ
The State Statistical Committee implements the quality management system in accordance with the international standard ISO 9001. In 2013 the external audit of the quality management system was conducted in the State Statistical Committee, and in August of the same year for the first time ISO 9001:2008 international certificate of conformity was obtained in the direction of "Production and dissemination of official statistical data". After a major change of the international standard in 2015, all documents of the quality management system were redesigned in accordance with the requirements of the international standard ISO 9001:2015. According to the results of certification audit conducted on March 09-10, 2017, the apparatus of The State Statistical Committee and 13 local statistical offices where QMS is applied, and then the apparatus of the State Statistics Committee according to the results of recertification audit conducted on March 02-06, 2020 and another 17 local statistical offices where QMS is applied, then according to the results of recertification audit conducted on February 13-17, 2023, the apparatus of the State Statistics Committee and 45 local statistical offices where QMS "Production and dissemination of official statistical data" is applied, have received the international certificate of conformity 9001:2015 in the direction of "Production and dissemination of official statistics" (Certificate ISO 9001:2015). Since 2012 the General Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM) is applied for standardization of statistical production. On the basis of the national version of "Statistical Business - Common Process Model" the description of statistical processes for the application of GSBPM in the process of statistical process management for statistical indicators of population statistics (Stat AZ website) is prepared.
GE
To ensure the quality of the statistical processes and products Geostat follows Chapter 10 – Quality of official statistics – of the Law of Georgia on Official Statistics, as well as the European Statistics Code of Practice, the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (ESS QAF).
AD
The quality assurance framework for Department of Statistics statistics is based on the ESSCoP, the EUROSTAT European Statistics Code of Practice. The ESSCoP consists of 16 principles, grouped into three areas: Institutional Environment, Processes and Products. Each principle is associated with a series of indicators that allow its size. Different tools provided by EUROSTAT are used to assess quality: the aforementioned indicators, self-assessment inspired by the DESAP model, Peer Review, user satisfaction surveys and other assessment procedures.
MC
NA
11.2. Quality management - assessment
Art. 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 states that the Commission shall submit reports on its implementation, to the European Parliament and the Council as follows:
These reports are to evaluate quality of data transmitted by Member States and EFTA countries and data collection methods used and, if appropriate, should be accompanied by proposals designed for future improvement of legal framework for population and vital events statistics under this Regulation.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Population statistics are widely used for planning actions, monitoring and evaluating programmes in a number of policy areas in the social and economic fields, such as:
Analysis of population ageing and its effects on sustainability and welfare;
Evaluation of fertility as a background for family policies;
Evaluation of the economic impact of demographic change;
Calculation of 'per capita' indicators;
Key input for the EU decision-making process, as population defines the weight of each Member State in the Qualified Majority Voting of the Council of the EU.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No user satisfaction surveys are carried out.
12.3. Completeness
Statistical data completeness depends on the availability of raw data transmitted by the National Statistical Institutes.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Eurostat collects data from the National Statistical Institutes. Information on data accuracy by country is available in the country metadata files. Please see the summary table below.
Reasons for unreliability of the data on:
Population
Births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
BE
Possible small underestimation due to delay in the registration - remaining small over or under estimation of the number of asylum seekers - illegal population not taken in consideration.
see 'population'
see 'population'
see 'population'
see 'population'
BG
No
No
No
No
No
CZ
No
Live births of parents with Czech citizenship having permanent residence in Czechia, taking place abroad, are included if the parent(s) of the child require registration in Czechia; only cases with no late registration are included in the statistics. Foundlings and children born from undisclosed births (according to the appropriate law) are excluded because information about the mother is unavailable. Live births to mothers who are asylum seekers are excluded unless the child’s father is a Czech citizen or a foreign national with registered residence in Czechia. In the latter case, the child must be born in Czechia. Births of Czech residents with permanent residence in Czechia that occurred abroad and were registered late are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics (the number of such cases is marginal). Births to parents of foreign nationality (both of them) with residence in Czechia that occurred abroad are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics (since, for the Foreign Police who register them, they are newcomers, like other migrants).
Deaths of Czech citizens having a registered residence in Czechia taking place abroad are registered if the bereaved require registration in Czechia. Unidentified dead bodies are excluded. Deaths of foreigners having registered residence in Czechia that occurred abroad are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics when their residence permit expires(since there is no system to obtain information about these deaths, however, the number of such cases is marginal).
Voluntary registration of persons from EU countries
When persons do not de-register when they leave, they are included in the emigrants category at the time the residence permit expires (EEA citizens are administratively removed from the Register of foreigners after 10 years from the beginning of registration if they do not renew their registration)
DK
No
No
No
No
No
DE
Cumulation of errors from the statitics on vital events and migrations over time
No
No
Main source of uncertainty is incorrect information on last place of residence.
To ensure quality, data is collected after the residents' register checked whether the last residence was in Germany.
Emigrants not deregistrating.
Administrativ deregistrations are taken into account. When information on the new place of residence in such cases is missing, it is assumed that the new place of residence is not in Germany.
EE
No
No
No
No
No
IE
The population and migration estimates are subject to revision following the publication of the Census of population. Ireland conducts a Census every 5 years and the most recent detailed results are available from April 2022. Following the publication of Census 2016 the 2022 population estimate required an upward adjustment of 52,300 (see table below). Note that this table details information on the revisions to the April reference time and for the first time includes people from households that were fully absent temporarily and outside Irealnd on Census night.
See national metadata for more information
No
Deaths must be registered within 3 months but there may be delays if a corenor is involved.
Please see note below on Population and Migration Estimates.
Please see note below on Population and Migration Estimates.
EL
No
No
No
No
No
ES
No
No
No
Not applicable
Not applicable
FR
No
No
No
No
No
HR
Issues with Migration and Emigration
No
No
Return immigration of nationals is not covered when emigration is not reported.
Emigration of nationals is not covered if they do not report their departure abroad.
IT
No
No
No
No
No
CY
No
No
No
The estimates of immigrants and emigrants may be associated with a degree of estimation uncertainty.
The estimates of immigrants and emigrants may be associated with a degree of estimation uncertainty.
LV
No
No
No
No
No
LT
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
LU
No
No
No
No
No
HU
Differences may arise between population estimates and the population count recorded in the next census due to differences in data collection methods.
Live birth data are comprehensive and reliable. The proportion of records with missing information on mothers is low, except for occupation. The corresponding proportion is higher for fathers, especially in the case of extramarital live births. Live births occurring abroad to mothers with a registered address in Hungary are also registered, although only basic data are available.
Data on deaths occurring in Hungary are complete and accurate. Deaths occurring abroad of persons with a registered address in Hungary are also registered, although only basic data are available.
Immigration data for foreign citizens and Hungarian citizens are comprehensive and reliable, covering all persons legally entering and residing in the country. Return migration of Hungarian citizens may be underestimated due to the lack of registration.
Data on emigrating foreign citizens and Hungarian citizens may be underestimated due to the lack of deregistration.
MT
Under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations. over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
Double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register;
Inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
Under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
Over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
Double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register.
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register;
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
NL
In a limited number of cases the data received by Statistics Netherlands are incomplete. In such cases the missing data are estimated.
No
No
No
No
AT
No
No
No
No
No
PL
No
No
No
No
No
PT
No
No
No
No
No
RO
No
No
No
No
No
SI
No
No
No
No
No
SK
See columns immigrants, emigrants
No
No
Some persons fail to register with competent bodies upon their arrival to the country (EU citizens, because of the freedom of movement, including return migration of SR citizens)
Some persons fail to deregister from competent bodies before leaving for the permanent residence abroad.
FI
No
No
No
No
No
SE
No
No
No
No
No
UK
Estimates for 1 Jan are based on interpolations between mid-year points rather than direct estimation of the reference point. Population estimates for the UK are produced using the cohort component method and the accuracy of population is dependent on the quality of the census base, births and deaths and migration estimates. Since 2021 population estimates for the UK have been revised regularly reflecting the development of new international migration data based on administrative data; estimates will continue to revised as data and methods improve.
The estimate of births is very accurate but includes an assumption that the number of births for non-usual residents in the UK is of equivalent size to the number of births outside the UK to UK-usual residents.
A limitation of these data is that we are only aware that a death has occurred and can include it in our figures when it is registered, and there can be a delay between death occurrence and registration. In England and Wales, deaths should be registered within five days of the death occurring, but there are some situations that result in the death registration being delayed, occasionally extending into years. The estimate of deaths includes an assumption that the number of deaths for non-usual residents in the UK is of equivalent size to the number of deaths outside the UK of UK-usual residents.
The immigration estimates are derived from administrative data. These administrative data are sourced from operational systems and used in statistics production and statistical research. As such, these administrative data are reliant on the accuracy of information recorded and processed in these operational systems, which were not designed for statistical purposes. The estimates are provided on a provisional basis and are subject to revision as data are finalised and methods continue to be refined.
The emigration estimates are derived from administrative data. These administrative data are sourced from operational systems and used in statistics production and statistical research. As such, these administrative data are reliant on the accuracy of information recorded and processed in these operational systems, which were not designed for statistical purposes. The estimates are provided on a provisional basis and are subject to revision as data are finalised and methods continue to be refined.
IS
No
No
No
No
No
LI
No
No
No
No
No
NO
No
No
No
No
No
CH
No
No
No
No
No
BA
No
No
No
Not available
Not available
MD
No
No
No
No
No
ME
No
No
No
No
No
MK
No
No
No
Return immigration of nationals is not covered when emigration is not reported.
Emigration of nationals is not covered if they do not report their departure abroad.
AL
Measuring migration
Births taking place abroad, but not usual resident abroad.
Deaths taking place abroad but not usual resident abroad.
Based on LFS and last population projection data.
Based on LFS and last population projection data.
RS
Due to lack of data on international migration, which should certainly be included in calculation of annual population estimates, it may be supposed that population estimates are not completely reliable data. But, the experience shows that population estimates from the intercensus period follows the trend of population.
No
No
Not available.
Not available.
TR
No
No
No
No
No
AZ
No
No
No
No
No
GE
No
No
No
No
No
AD
No
No
No
No
No
MC
People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
Only births to children with at least one parent residing in Monaco are included. Births occurring in a the Princess Grace Hospital Center (Monaco) to non-resident parents are excluded. People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
Only the deaths of Monaco residents are included. Deaths occurring in the Princess Grace Hospital Center (Monaco) involving non-residents are not counted.
People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
For timeliness of data release see 8.1Release calendar.
14.2. Punctuality
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
The recommended definition of the 'population' for the statistics on population reported under Article 3 of the Regulation 1260/2013 and under Article 3 of the Regulation 862/2007 is the 'usually resident population' meaning all the persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time. Where the circumstances described above cannot be established, 'usual residence' can be taken to mean the place of legal or registered residence.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Comparability over time could be disturbed by breaks in data series. The breaks in population series due to methodological, data processing changes or revisions in population counts reported by the countries are documented in Eurostat’s database with the flag b (break in series).
The population data for the year 2021 and after take into account the results of the latest population census (held in 2021-2022). Following Eurostat’s recommendations to ensure consistency of statistics over time, several Member States (Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal) have revised their population time series between the reference years of the population and housing censuses held in 2011 and 2021. The revisions were published in Eurostat's tables by end of 2024. While the processing of population revisions is ongoing, it may happen that EU and EA aggregates are not fully syncronised with the corresponding sum of countries. For more information about data revision per country, see also 17. Data revision and the national metadata reported by each country.
Over time there have been methodological and geographical changes for certain countries, see the notes below:
FX stands for Metropolitan France, including Corsica, excluding the overseas departments (DOM).
FR stands for the whole France, including the overseas departments (DOM). Data on Saint Barthelemey are excluded starting with January 1, 2012. Data on Mayotte are included starting with the statistics on vital events for the reference year 2014 and with the statistics on population on January 1, 2014.
The European geographical aggregates (EU, EA and EEA) include FX until 1997 and FR from 1998 on. This change is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the EU statistics for 1998.
The time series for Germany (DE_TOT) refer to the Federal Republic within its frontiers after October 3, 1990.
Starting with January 1, 1975, data for Cyprus (CY) refer to the government-controlled area.
Up to January 1, 2000, population data for Malta (MT) refer to the Maltese population only while, starting with 2001, figures include also foreign residents. This is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the figures for 2001.
Starting with January 1, 2010, the statistics on the permanent resident population of Switzerland (CH) includes all persons in the asylum process who have been residing in Switzerland since 12 months or more. The change appears in Eurostat population figures starting with population reported for January 1, 2011.
Starting with January 1, 2010, Poland (PL) revised the methodology used to estimate the usually resident population. This is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the figures for 2010.
Starting with January 1, 2011, Belgium (BE) population figures at national level refer to all registered persons including asylum seekers.
Starting with January 1, 2012, the reported Estonian (EE) population includes the migration component, whereas this was not included before.
Data for Georgia refer to the government-controlled area.
Data for Moldova refer to the government-controlled area.
Data for Ukraine exclude the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.
Data for Portugal are based on revised population figures for 2022–2025, transmitted to Eurostat at the end of June 2026. From 2022 onwards, the annual resident population estimates are derived from administrative sources, whereas the estimates up to and including 2021 are final figures based on previous population censuses. This methodological change should be taken into account when interpreting any developments over time, i.e. all comparisons between reference years up to 2021 and reference years from 2022 onwards.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The population figures transmitted by the national statistical offices to Eurostat in the framework of Demography domain may differ from those available in other domains such us National Accounts, Labour Force Survey or in the survey on Income and Living Conditions. The difference is given by the population coverage (see metadata specific to each domain).
1. Member States shall inform the Eurostat of any planned revision of the data already supplied no later than one week before the release of the revised data in the Member State concerned.
2. Member States shall provide any revised data to the Eurostat no later than one week after the release of these data.
3. Member States shall ensure that any revised data provided to the Eurostat is consistent with the whole set of data already provided.
The policy of Eurostat is to make updates as soon as data is received and at any time during the year.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Population statistics are revised on a continuous base according to the most recent data released and transmitted to Eurostat by the National Statistical Institutes. The geographical aggregates and the demographic indicators are accordingly revised.
The status of the data is indicated by using flags (flag p = provisional data; flag e = estimated; flag b = break in time series; flag f = forecast).
The revision practice effectively corresponds to the revision policy of the domain listed under sub‑concept 17.1 (data revision – policy).
All reported errors (once validated) result in corrections of the disseminated data.
Reported errors are corrected in the disseminated data as soon as the correct data have been validated.
Data may be published even if they are missing for certain countries or flagged as provisional or estimated for certain countries. They are replaced with final data once transmitted and validated. European aggregates and demographic indicators are updated for consistency with new country data.
Whenever new data are provided and validated, the already disseminated data are updated and European aggregates and demographic indicators are accordingly revised.
Data are usually revised for the last period. Countries however may choose the length of the revisions depending on the need. In principle, aggregates and components are revised at the same time or soon after a data revision is received by Eurostat. There are no routine revisions aiming at adjusting monthly time series of live births and deaths to have temporal consistency with the yearly series. For most of the countries data are considered final with the first sending, except in case of errors discovered after transmitting data to Eurostat and in case of post-census revisions. Revisions are published continuously as soon as received by Eurostat. Routine revisions are documented and monitored internally and communicated in the metadata files available in dissemination.
The impact of major revisions is analysed in working documents produced for experts' meetings held with representatives of National Statistical Institutes. Time series breaks caused by major revisions are not flagged, to provide break-free data, back-calculation is applied.
Major revisions are pre-announced and documented in the metadata files available in dissemination. The impacts of major revisions are communicated in working documents produced for experts meetings held with representatives of National Statistical Institutes.
18.1. Source data
Demographic data are collected by Eurostat from the National Statistical Institutes.
For a summary of the national sources of data please see the countries' individual metadata files or the summary table in annex.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data are collected annualy.
18.3. Data collection
The annual demography data collections are carried out by Eurostat from the National Statistical Institutes in order to collect detailed updated data.
18.4. Data validation
Controls are carried out on raw data transmitted by the NSIs to check if the total of a variable is consistent with the breakdown by different variables. Consistencies between different breakdowns of the same variable are verified by cross validations.
Based on the detailed collected data, Eurostat is computing a series of demographic statistics. The regular calculated demographic indicators are further submitted to several validations concerning the most updated annual value but also the available time series. These validations include checking on the plausibility of the most updated annual value and on two consecutive annual values. Mathematical verifications using standard deviation and weighted average are applied, for example for breakdowns of the life expectancy by educational attainment.
For more information on data validation see: data validation
18.5. Data compilation
Based on the national detailed figures on population and other demographic events transmitted by the National Statistical Institutes, Eurostat derives/calculates demographic variables and geographical aggregates by applying common calculation method.
Geographical aggregation
For population data expressed in number, the geographical aggregation is done by arithmetical sum, when there are no missing values among the components of the respective geographical aggregate. Otherwise, they are not calculated.
18.6. Adjustment
Eurostat collects its data from the National Statistical Institutes. The following adjustments are used by each country. For more information please see the countries' individual metadata files.
BE
The Belgian population register 'suffers' from a limited number of shortcoming mainly late registrations. This results in a statistical adjustment of several of thousand persons - however on a population totalling more than 11000000 persons. There is scientifically agreement in Belgium that this is an acceptable bias.
BG
Еstimates (based on NSI sample survey on trips of Bulgarians abroad and visitors to Bulgaria) are done in production of breakdowns of emigrants by destination countries. Since 2015, estimates and assumptions on volume of emigrants are done to improve figures produced both for emigration and population number.
CZ
Only population figures from a year in which a population census was held are recalculated following census results.
DK
There is a statistical adjustment of the population due to two things; first, annulments of deaths, immigrations and emigrations, and second, missing and recovered people.
DE
Not applicable.
EE
Since 2016, the usual resident population has been determined using signs-of-life-based methodology called the residency index. The residence index is used to find the probability of living in Estonia for each person. The features necessary to identify each person are found by using the different registers in a specific priority order.
In short: The method is based on the idea that each potential inhabitant of Estonia is assigned an index which shows the person’s likelihood of being a permanent inhabitant of Estonia, i.e. a resident. The value of the index ranges between 0 and 1. The greater the index value, the more likely it is that a person is a resident of Estonia. A threshold is used to make the distinction between definite residents and definite non-residents: those whose index value is above the threshold are considered residents. In order to calculate the index, approximately 20 Estonian administrative registers and sub-registers are used, including the Estonian Education Information System, the State Pension Insurance Register, the health insurance database, etc. Each register or sub-register gives a person one so-called sign of life. The signs of life are not equal; thus, each sign of life has been assigned a weight.
All persons whose index was 0 at the beginning of the year and 1 at the end of the year are recorded as persons having been born or immigrated to Estonia in the respective year. In the opposite situation, where a person’s index was 1 at the beginning of the year and 0 at the year end, the person is considered as having died or emigrated in the respective year. In order to distinguish emigration from births and deaths, register data are used and supplemented with the data of the Police and Border Guard Board.
A register-based alternative would be to base the census population on the Population Register and define the statistical population as the registered population. This would however underestimate the migration in annual population statistics as a significant amount of immigration and emigration is not registered in the Population Register (meaning that people move abroad but do not update their address/country of residence in the Population Register or vice versal people move to Estonia and do not register their place of residence in the Population Register).
IE
Population and Migration Estimates are subject to revisions once the definitive results from the census is available.
EL
No adjustments.
ES
No dajustment has been done.
FR
Due to an improvment in the questionnary, population data in 2016 (and after) are not comparable to previous population data. An adjustment has been introduced to allow time comparison.
Adjustment is provisionally estimated at national level to : -65330 in 2015 ; -82982 in 2016 ; -100263 in 2017 ; -83625 in 2018 ; -83893 in 2019 ; -34038 in 2020 ; -34038 in 2021; -17000 in 2022.
A new adjustment has been introduced in 2026, for 2020 and 2021 to take account of changes to the census collection protocol and exceptional demographic changes due to the health crisis. A detailed explanation is available on INSEE's website in French and in English. This adjustment is estimated at national level to: +83000 in 2020, +127000 in 2021, +40000 in 2022, +19000 in 2023, +20000 in 2024, +60000 in 2025.
Differences in the field for France : Data published by INSEE do not take into account data of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthelemy islands, which are not included in Guadeloupe any more since 2007.
All data before 2013 (2012 and before) submitted to Eurostat contains France metropolitan, four French overseas departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Reunion) including Saint Martin and and Saint Barthelemy in Guadeloupe.
All data after 2012 (2013 and after) submitted to Eurostat contains France metropolitan, four French overseas departments (Martinique, Guadeloupe, French Guiana and Reunion) including Saint Martin in Guadeloupe.
Statistics of population include Mayotte since 31 December 2013. As the population on 31 December 2012 does not include this island, an other adjustment is therefore needed. The adjustment in 2013 is equal to the population on Mayotte estimated on 31 December 2012.
HR
No adjustments.
IT
The statistical adjustments will be validated in the final demographic balance, following the validation Permanent Census data, at the end of the year.
CY
Not applicable.
LV
In the Natural Persons Register (prev. Population Register) there are data also on short time immigrants - those migrants are excluded from the population database.
International definitions are used also at national level.
LT
Not applicable.
LU
There is a statistical adjustment, because the population change from one year to another is not equal to the change calculated by the number of births, deaths, immigrations and emigrations. The lack of registration and deregistration in the register (due to different reasons) conducts to this difference.
HU
The reason for the statistical adjustment is that population, vital events and migration data are compiled from several separate data sources, including civil registrars, health institutions, the HCSO statistical data collection on vital events, the Population Register, the National Directorate-General for Aliens Policing and the National Health Insurance Fund. These sources are not fully harmonised.
MT
Not applicable.
NL
Not available.
AT
Details provided in national documentation. See 10.
PL
Not applicable.
PT
Not applicable.
RO
By April – the year following the reference one, semi definitive data – including late registration of events occurred in the reference year N but registered in January – year N + 1 are produced. Semi definitive data are allocated to months by the date of occurrence and are disseminated only nationally. At the end of the year following the reference one, final data – including late registration of events occurred in the reference year N but registered by September – year N + 1 are produced. Final data are disseminated nationally and at Eurostat. Revised data – including late registration of events occurred in the reference year N but registered by April – year N + 3 data are produced 3 years after the end of the reference one. Revised data are disseminated nationally and at Eurostat.
SI
Not applicable.
SK
Not applicable.
FI
Population correction (immigration/emigration):
Population correction is the difference of total change and population increase. Corrections are mainly adjustments made later to errors occurring in handling of notices of removal.
Statistical adjustments are mainly missing notifications on emigration. We would like to enhance that population structure system and population change system are independent and separate systems.
In general, the move has taken place a very long time ago, in which case changing the information by a notice of removal would not make sense, or the person is known to have moved at some point but no information has been obtained on the target domicile.
In material sent to Eurostat age is modified to mean age at the end of the year.
SE
The statistical adjustment refers to vital events that happened during previous years. The events were not registered in time to be included in the annual population figure for the previous year. However, no previous figures are adjusted.
UK
No statistical adjustment is carried out to adjust population definitions to standard definitions. However, the method of calculating 1 January populations from the mid-year populations calculated as standard means that components of change (migration and natural change), which are supplied on a true calendar year basis, do not correspond precisely with the change in population estimates.
IS
No adjustments are made. Deviations between natural increase and net immigration and the population growth are not adjusted in the statistics.
LI
No adjustments necessary.
NO
Deviations between the population change calculated as natural increase plus net immigration and the population change calculated as the difference between two dates are not adjusted in the statistics. The deviations are due to a lack of incoming messages for births, deaths, and migrations. The deviation in the population accounts is due to belated reports, annulments, corrections, and similar factors.
CH
Data are not adjusted.
BA
Not applicable.
MD
Population of previous year plus natural change (live births minus deaths) plus net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) equals the population on 31 December of the reference year (the demographic balance for total population). This equation is not applied on population estimates by citizenship, country of citizenship, country of birth, marital status, educational attainment. Adjustments are not applicable.
ME
Not applicable.
MK
Data adjustment is not performed.
AL
Adjustments are done for the vital events (Births and Deaths) that are registered late for the current year so that we include all events that occurred in the reference period. The number of events registered late in the previous year was considered as a proxy for last year's registrations, considering the assumption (as a result of our ongoing analysis) that the number of late events registrations does not change much from year to year.
For emigration and immigration data collected through LFS the age structure has been adjusted taking into account the population projection data and rebase of population estimates based on the 2023 Census.
In the estimation for births and deaths, it becomes possible to clean "fetus morto" cases (cases without any sign of life), taking into account for the final assessment only live births, attributed to methodological adjustment.
RS
Not applicable.
TR
Not applicable.
AZ
No adjustment.
GE
Not applicable.
AD
The data published in the website does not present any stational adjustment, however, press releases do.
These summary metadata refer to the first results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
Member States send to Eurostat the first results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference (T), containing the total population figure on 31 December of year T (further published by Eurostat as Population on 1 January of year T+1), total births and total deaths during year T. This data collection is defined under Regulation 1260/2013 on European demographic statistics. Countries may also transmit to Eurostat, on voluntary basis, provisional data on total immigration, emigration and net migration during the year (T).
Eurostat's data collection on the above figures is called DEMOBAL and it is carried out in June of each year. Eurostat publishes these first demographic estimates in July of each year in the online database, in the table Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates (demo_gind).
These first demographic estimates may either be confirmed or updated by Eurostat's demographic data collection taking place in December each year (called Unidemo), whereby countries submit detailed breakdowns (e.g. by age and sex) of their yearly population data, including data on migration, both at national and at regional level. The online table Population change - Demographic balance and crude rates (demo-gind) will be accordingly updated. This table includes the latest updates on total population, births and deaths reported by the countries, while the detailed breakdowns by various characteristics included in the rest of the tables of the Eurostat database (Demography domain and Migration, for example the Population by citizenship and by country of birth table) may be transmitted to Eurostat at a subsequent date.
The individual metadata files reported by the countries are attached to this metadata file.
27 July 2026
Population on 1 January
Eurostat aims at collecting from the EU Member States data on population on 1 January. The recommended definition is the 'usually resident population' and represents the number of inhabitants of a given area on 1 January of the year in question (or, in some cases, on 31st December of the previous year). The population transmitted by the countries can also be either based on data from the most recent census adjusted by the components of population change produced since the last census, either based on population registers. (More detailed information is available in the national metadata files.)
Usual residence means the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage. The following persons alone are considered to be usually residents of the geographical area in question:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
Average population
The average population is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the population on 1st January of two consecutive years. The average population is further used in the calculation of demographic indicators, like the crude rates per 1000 persons.
Population change
The difference between the size of the population at the end and the beginning of the period Specifically, it is the difference in population size on 1 January of two consecutive years. A positive population change is also referred to as population growth. A negative population change is also referred to as population decline.
The population change consists of two components: natural change and net migration.
Natural change of population
The difference between the number of live births and the number of deaths during the year. A positive natural change, also known as natural increase, occurs when live births outnumber deaths. A negative natural change, also named as natural decrease, occurs when live births are less numerous than deaths.
Net migration plus statistical adjustment
Net migration is the difference between the number of immigrants and the number of emigrants. In the context of the annual demographic balance however, Eurostat produces net migration figures by taking the difference between total population change and natural change; this concept is referred to as net migration plus statistical adjustment. The statistics on 'net migration plus statistical adjustment' are therefore affected by all the statistical inaccuracies in the two components of this equation, especially population change. From one country to another 'net migration p statistical adjustment' may cover, besides the difference between inward and outward migration, other changes observed in the population figures between 1 January in two consecutive years which cannot be attributed to births, deaths, immigration and emigration.
The ‘Net migration plus statistical adjustment’ indicator is consistent with population stock changes over time, and it is typically used for the calculation of the EU population projections.
Population turnover
The total magnitude of changes in membership experienced by a population. It shows the 'gross' effect of the population components, by adding up gains (births and immigration) and losses (deaths and emigration) in a population, as compare to the population change which shows their 'net' effect. The population turnover consists of two components: natural turnover and migration turnover plus statistical adjustment.
Natural turnover
The sum of births and deaths numbers.
Migration turnover plus statistical adjustment
The sum of immigration, emigration numbers and the statistical adjustment reported in the population.
Crude rates
A crude rate is calculated as the ratio of the number of events to the average population of the respective area in a given year. For easier presentation, it is multiplied by 1000; the result is therefore expressed per 1000 persons (of the average population).
The table below presents a summary with the reported reference populations based on which statistics on population, births and deaths are tranmsitted by the national statistical institutes to Eurostat.
1. Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
AL, BA, BE, BG, CY, EE, EL, ES, FI, FR, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, ME, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, BA, RS, UK
AL, BG, EE, EL, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, UK
AD, CH, LI, FI, AZ, TR
AT, CZ, DK, IS, LU, NL, NO, SE
DE
Emigrants
AL, BG, EE, EL, GE, HR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LV, MD, MK, MT, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK, UK
AD, CH, LI, FI, AZ, TR
AT, CZ, DK, IS, LU, NL, NO, SE
DE
'Usually Resident Population' as stated in Article 2 of Regulation 1260/2013.
'Legal Residence Population' is composed of those persons who are entitled to be settled in the country at the reference date, either by holding the national citizenship or by other authorization issued by national authorities.
'Registered Residence Population' is composed of those persons who are listed on one or more registers owned by national authorities at the reference date. Each registered person shall be counted only once.
Th statistical unit used is ''person'' as indicated in the online database or deductible from the title of tables or of the indicator.
Statistical population is total population as defined in 3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions.
The population statistics are disseminated by single country, by region and by aggregates of countries, as follows:
Other countries: Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Monaco, Russian Federation, San Marino and United Kingdom.
The geographical aggregates European Union and Euro Area, on which the dissemination covers at least the current and the previous version of their composition, the European Economic Area (EEA) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
For details on geographical changes over time see the notes by country under 15.2 Comparability over time.
National refers to the territory of a Member State within the meaning of Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 applicable at the reference time.
Regional refers to NUTS level 1, NUTS level 2 or NUTS level 3 as defined in the Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 and available according to the classification in force at the reference time; where this term is used in connection with countries that are not members of the European Union, "regional" means the Statistical Regions at level 1, 2 or 3, as agreed between those countries and the Commission (Eurostat), at the reference time.
Statistics from the UK were available only until the withdrawal of the country from the EU. In April 2026 the upcoming association of the UK to the Erasmus+ programme was announced. In view to calculate the UK's financial contribution to the participation, UK was asked to transmit population data and related metadata information, which are now available in the table demo_gind.
Data referring to population on 31 December of the reference year are transmitted by the EU Member States to Eurostat under the Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 on European demographic statistics. The data are conventionally published by Eurostat as 1 January of the following year (reference year + 1).
The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.
The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
Eurostat collects data from the National Statistical Institutes. Information on data accuracy by country is available in the country metadata files. Please see the summary table below.
Reasons for unreliability of the data on:
Population
Births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
BE
Possible small underestimation due to delay in the registration - remaining small over or under estimation of the number of asylum seekers - illegal population not taken in consideration.
see 'population'
see 'population'
see 'population'
see 'population'
BG
No
No
No
No
No
CZ
No
Live births of parents with Czech citizenship having permanent residence in Czechia, taking place abroad, are included if the parent(s) of the child require registration in Czechia; only cases with no late registration are included in the statistics. Foundlings and children born from undisclosed births (according to the appropriate law) are excluded because information about the mother is unavailable. Live births to mothers who are asylum seekers are excluded unless the child’s father is a Czech citizen or a foreign national with registered residence in Czechia. In the latter case, the child must be born in Czechia. Births of Czech residents with permanent residence in Czechia that occurred abroad and were registered late are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics (the number of such cases is marginal). Births to parents of foreign nationality (both of them) with residence in Czechia that occurred abroad are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics (since, for the Foreign Police who register them, they are newcomers, like other migrants).
Deaths of Czech citizens having a registered residence in Czechia taking place abroad are registered if the bereaved require registration in Czechia. Unidentified dead bodies are excluded. Deaths of foreigners having registered residence in Czechia that occurred abroad are not classified as vital events but recorded under migration statistics when their residence permit expires(since there is no system to obtain information about these deaths, however, the number of such cases is marginal).
Voluntary registration of persons from EU countries
When persons do not de-register when they leave, they are included in the emigrants category at the time the residence permit expires (EEA citizens are administratively removed from the Register of foreigners after 10 years from the beginning of registration if they do not renew their registration)
DK
No
No
No
No
No
DE
Cumulation of errors from the statitics on vital events and migrations over time
No
No
Main source of uncertainty is incorrect information on last place of residence.
To ensure quality, data is collected after the residents' register checked whether the last residence was in Germany.
Emigrants not deregistrating.
Administrativ deregistrations are taken into account. When information on the new place of residence in such cases is missing, it is assumed that the new place of residence is not in Germany.
EE
No
No
No
No
No
IE
The population and migration estimates are subject to revision following the publication of the Census of population. Ireland conducts a Census every 5 years and the most recent detailed results are available from April 2022. Following the publication of Census 2016 the 2022 population estimate required an upward adjustment of 52,300 (see table below). Note that this table details information on the revisions to the April reference time and for the first time includes people from households that were fully absent temporarily and outside Irealnd on Census night.
See national metadata for more information
No
Deaths must be registered within 3 months but there may be delays if a corenor is involved.
Please see note below on Population and Migration Estimates.
Please see note below on Population and Migration Estimates.
EL
No
No
No
No
No
ES
No
No
No
Not applicable
Not applicable
FR
No
No
No
No
No
HR
Issues with Migration and Emigration
No
No
Return immigration of nationals is not covered when emigration is not reported.
Emigration of nationals is not covered if they do not report their departure abroad.
IT
No
No
No
No
No
CY
No
No
No
The estimates of immigrants and emigrants may be associated with a degree of estimation uncertainty.
The estimates of immigrants and emigrants may be associated with a degree of estimation uncertainty.
LV
No
No
No
No
No
LT
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
The accuracy of statistics depends on the quality of administrative data sources.
LU
No
No
No
No
No
HU
Differences may arise between population estimates and the population count recorded in the next census due to differences in data collection methods.
Live birth data are comprehensive and reliable. The proportion of records with missing information on mothers is low, except for occupation. The corresponding proportion is higher for fathers, especially in the case of extramarital live births. Live births occurring abroad to mothers with a registered address in Hungary are also registered, although only basic data are available.
Data on deaths occurring in Hungary are complete and accurate. Deaths occurring abroad of persons with a registered address in Hungary are also registered, although only basic data are available.
Immigration data for foreign citizens and Hungarian citizens are comprehensive and reliable, covering all persons legally entering and residing in the country. Return migration of Hungarian citizens may be underestimated due to the lack of registration.
Data on emigrating foreign citizens and Hungarian citizens may be underestimated due to the lack of deregistration.
MT
Under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations. over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
Double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register;
Inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
Under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
Over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
Double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register.
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register;
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
under-reporting in administrative registers mainly due to late registrations;
over-coverage due to possible inconsistencies with the usual residence definition;
double counting of persons enlisted in more than one register
inaccuracies in the mathematical models used in order to estimate migration components not available in the registers.
NL
In a limited number of cases the data received by Statistics Netherlands are incomplete. In such cases the missing data are estimated.
No
No
No
No
AT
No
No
No
No
No
PL
No
No
No
No
No
PT
No
No
No
No
No
RO
No
No
No
No
No
SI
No
No
No
No
No
SK
See columns immigrants, emigrants
No
No
Some persons fail to register with competent bodies upon their arrival to the country (EU citizens, because of the freedom of movement, including return migration of SR citizens)
Some persons fail to deregister from competent bodies before leaving for the permanent residence abroad.
FI
No
No
No
No
No
SE
No
No
No
No
No
UK
Estimates for 1 Jan are based on interpolations between mid-year points rather than direct estimation of the reference point. Population estimates for the UK are produced using the cohort component method and the accuracy of population is dependent on the quality of the census base, births and deaths and migration estimates. Since 2021 population estimates for the UK have been revised regularly reflecting the development of new international migration data based on administrative data; estimates will continue to revised as data and methods improve.
The estimate of births is very accurate but includes an assumption that the number of births for non-usual residents in the UK is of equivalent size to the number of births outside the UK to UK-usual residents.
A limitation of these data is that we are only aware that a death has occurred and can include it in our figures when it is registered, and there can be a delay between death occurrence and registration. In England and Wales, deaths should be registered within five days of the death occurring, but there are some situations that result in the death registration being delayed, occasionally extending into years. The estimate of deaths includes an assumption that the number of deaths for non-usual residents in the UK is of equivalent size to the number of deaths outside the UK of UK-usual residents.
The immigration estimates are derived from administrative data. These administrative data are sourced from operational systems and used in statistics production and statistical research. As such, these administrative data are reliant on the accuracy of information recorded and processed in these operational systems, which were not designed for statistical purposes. The estimates are provided on a provisional basis and are subject to revision as data are finalised and methods continue to be refined.
The emigration estimates are derived from administrative data. These administrative data are sourced from operational systems and used in statistics production and statistical research. As such, these administrative data are reliant on the accuracy of information recorded and processed in these operational systems, which were not designed for statistical purposes. The estimates are provided on a provisional basis and are subject to revision as data are finalised and methods continue to be refined.
IS
No
No
No
No
No
LI
No
No
No
No
No
NO
No
No
No
No
No
CH
No
No
No
No
No
BA
No
No
No
Not available
Not available
MD
No
No
No
No
No
ME
No
No
No
No
No
MK
No
No
No
Return immigration of nationals is not covered when emigration is not reported.
Emigration of nationals is not covered if they do not report their departure abroad.
AL
Measuring migration
Births taking place abroad, but not usual resident abroad.
Deaths taking place abroad but not usual resident abroad.
Based on LFS and last population projection data.
Based on LFS and last population projection data.
RS
Due to lack of data on international migration, which should certainly be included in calculation of annual population estimates, it may be supposed that population estimates are not completely reliable data. But, the experience shows that population estimates from the intercensus period follows the trend of population.
No
No
Not available.
Not available.
TR
No
No
No
No
No
AZ
No
No
No
No
No
GE
No
No
No
No
No
AD
No
No
No
No
No
MC
People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
Only births to children with at least one parent residing in Monaco are included. Births occurring in a the Princess Grace Hospital Center (Monaco) to non-resident parents are excluded. People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
Only the deaths of Monaco residents are included. Deaths occurring in the Princess Grace Hospital Center (Monaco) involving non-residents are not counted.
People from Ukraine living in Monaco are included in the data; refugees and asylum seekers are also included.
Population, births and deaths figures are disseminated in integer numbers.
A crude rate is calculated as the ration of the number of events to the average population of the respective area in a given year. For easier presentation, it is multiplied by 1000: the result is therefore expressed per 1000 persons (of the average population).
Based on the national detailed figures on population and other demographic events transmitted by the National Statistical Institutes, Eurostat derives/calculates demographic variables and geographical aggregates by applying common calculation method.
Geographical aggregation
For population data expressed in number, the geographical aggregation is done by arithmetical sum, when there are no missing values among the components of the respective geographical aggregate. Otherwise, they are not calculated.
Demographic data are collected by Eurostat from the National Statistical Institutes.
For a summary of the national sources of data please see the countries' individual metadata files or the summary table in annex.
Population statistics are revised on a continuous base according to the most recent data released and transmitted to Eurostat by the National Statistical Institutes. The geographical aggregates and the demographic indicators are accordingly revised.
Dissemination is made in line with the 8.1 Release calendar and with 17.1 Data revision-policy.
For timeliness of data release see 8.1Release calendar.
The recommended definition of the 'population' for the statistics on population reported under Article 3 of the Regulation 1260/2013 and under Article 3 of the Regulation 862/2007 is the 'usually resident population' meaning all the persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time. Where the circumstances described above cannot be established, 'usual residence' can be taken to mean the place of legal or registered residence.
Comparability over time could be disturbed by breaks in data series. The breaks in population series due to methodological, data processing changes or revisions in population counts reported by the countries are documented in Eurostat’s database with the flag b (break in series).
The population data for the year 2021 and after take into account the results of the latest population census (held in 2021-2022). Following Eurostat’s recommendations to ensure consistency of statistics over time, several Member States (Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal) have revised their population time series between the reference years of the population and housing censuses held in 2011 and 2021. The revisions were published in Eurostat's tables by end of 2024. While the processing of population revisions is ongoing, it may happen that EU and EA aggregates are not fully syncronised with the corresponding sum of countries. For more information about data revision per country, see also 17. Data revision and the national metadata reported by each country.
Over time there have been methodological and geographical changes for certain countries, see the notes below:
FX stands for Metropolitan France, including Corsica, excluding the overseas departments (DOM).
FR stands for the whole France, including the overseas departments (DOM). Data on Saint Barthelemey are excluded starting with January 1, 2012. Data on Mayotte are included starting with the statistics on vital events for the reference year 2014 and with the statistics on population on January 1, 2014.
The European geographical aggregates (EU, EA and EEA) include FX until 1997 and FR from 1998 on. This change is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the EU statistics for 1998.
The time series for Germany (DE_TOT) refer to the Federal Republic within its frontiers after October 3, 1990.
Starting with January 1, 1975, data for Cyprus (CY) refer to the government-controlled area.
Up to January 1, 2000, population data for Malta (MT) refer to the Maltese population only while, starting with 2001, figures include also foreign residents. This is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the figures for 2001.
Starting with January 1, 2010, the statistics on the permanent resident population of Switzerland (CH) includes all persons in the asylum process who have been residing in Switzerland since 12 months or more. The change appears in Eurostat population figures starting with population reported for January 1, 2011.
Starting with January 1, 2010, Poland (PL) revised the methodology used to estimate the usually resident population. This is indicated by a flag b (break in series) in the figures for 2010.
Starting with January 1, 2011, Belgium (BE) population figures at national level refer to all registered persons including asylum seekers.
Starting with January 1, 2012, the reported Estonian (EE) population includes the migration component, whereas this was not included before.
Data for Georgia refer to the government-controlled area.
Data for Moldova refer to the government-controlled area.
Data for Ukraine exclude the illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol.
Data for Portugal are based on revised population figures for 2022–2025, transmitted to Eurostat at the end of June 2026. From 2022 onwards, the annual resident population estimates are derived from administrative sources, whereas the estimates up to and including 2021 are final figures based on previous population censuses. This methodological change should be taken into account when interpreting any developments over time, i.e. all comparisons between reference years up to 2021 and reference years from 2022 onwards.
