Comparison of EU countries in terms of population ageing
Comparison of EU countries in terms of population ageing

Summary/Abstract: The article compared the EU countries in terms of selected demographic indicators related to the issue of population ageing, which is also faced by the countries of the old continent. The aim of the paper was to implement the typology of the 27 EU countries through a cluster analysis considering 9 demographic indicators. From the methodological point of view, factor, cluster and discriminant analysis were used. Demographic data on population ageing were obtained from the Eurostat database. The analyses were carried out for the year 2020. Based on the results of the analyses, the countries were grouped into 5 clusters according to the similarity of demographic characteristics related to population ageing. The most numerous first group included the countries of Western Europe together with the 5 countries of the former socialist bloc. This cluster was characterized by the highest overall fertility rate. The second group included mostly the countries of the Eastern bloc, which are characterized by the highest mortality rate and the lowest life expectancy, the lowest average age of first-time mothers, and a negative migration rate. The third group included 5 large countries in terms of the number of inhabitants; these countries are the oldest EU countries. From the perspective of the indicators of ageing, the fourth cluster appeared to be the youngest, characterized by the highest birth rate. The last cluster consisted of two EU countries, which were characterized by the highest life expectancy as well as the highest gross migration rate.

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