European Union Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
European Union's dependency ratio was 57.80 in 2025, ranked 87th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
European Union's dependency ratio stood at 57.80 in 2025, a rise of +0.43 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 57.80 by 2025. European Union ranked 87th globally.
The European Union’s total dependency ratio rose from 55.21 in 1960 to a record 57.80 in 2025, marking both the latest figure and the all‑time peak after 66 years of observation. The ratio, which measures the proportion of non‑working‑age persons to the working‑age population, fell to its lowest point of 48.40 in 1999 before embarking on a steady upward trajectory that reflects ageing demographics and lower fertility rates across member states. This 2025 level places the EU at rank 87 globally and just below peers such as the United Kingdom (57.98) and Belgium (57.97), indicating that the bloc’s demographic pressure is comparable to other advanced economies. The continued rise suggests that without policy interventions to boost labour‑force participation or migration inflows, the dependency burden will likely intensify, pressuring public finances and social‑security systems in the coming decades.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 58.67 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 58.24 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 57.80 | - | - |
| 2025 | 57.80 | +0.43 | #87 |
| 2024 | 57.38 | +0.48 | #127 |
| 2023 | 56.90 | +0.38 | #125 |
| 2022 | 56.52 | +0.42 | #119 |
| 2021 | 56.10 | +0.50 | #118 |
| 2020 | 55.60 | +0.54 | #115 |
| 2019 | 55.06 | +0.57 | #112 |
| 2018 | 54.49 | +0.60 | #112 |
| 2017 | 53.89 | +0.64 | #111 |
| 2016 | 53.24 | +0.62 | #107 |
| 2015 | 52.63 | +0.66 | #106 |
| 2014 | 51.97 | +0.70 | #102 |
| 2013 | 51.26 | +0.65 | #98 |
| 2012 | 50.61 | +0.60 | #97 |
| 2011 | 50.01 | +0.43 | #95 |
Analysis
European Union's dependency ratio was 57.80 in 2025, a rise of +0.43 from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 57.80 by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's dependency ratio was 57.80 in 2025. Ranked 87th globally. This represents a 0.7% increase from the previous year.
European Union's dependency ratio peaked at 57.80 in 2025.
The lowest dependency ratio in European Union was 48.40 in 1999.
European Union ranks 87th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's dependency ratio is projected to reach 57.80 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of European Union in 2025 was 57.80. This ranks 87th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_dependency-ratio,
title = {European Union Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}