Largest population
United Kingdom has 69,931,528 people in the 2026 medium projection.
Northern Europe population pyramid 2026
109,963,731 people in 2026 (projected), a UN subregion of Europe with 14 countries and areas.
- 2026 population
- 110Mmedium projection
- Median age
- 40.6 years
- Under age 15
- 16.4%
- Age 65+
- 20.3%
Northern Europe population pyramid
2026 · Share of total by five-year age group and sex
Medium projection
Northern Europe population pyramid for 2026: males on the left and females on the right
100+
95–99
90–94
85–89
80–84
75–79
70–74
65–69
60–64
55–59
50–54
45–49
40–44
35–39
30–34
25–29
20–24
15–19
10–14
5–9
0–4
Hover over or tap a bar to see exact values.
Estimate or projection?
The UN series provides historical estimates through 2023. Figures from 2024 onward—including 2026—are medium-scenario projections, not counts or predictions guaranteed to occur.
Northern Europe age structure
In 2026, children under 15 make up 16.4% of Northern Europe’s projected population, compared with 20.3% aged 65 or older. The conventional working-age group, 15–64, accounts for 63.4%.
By 2050, the medium scenario places the population at 115,849,083—a 5% increase from 2026. The 65+ share is projected to reach 25.4%.
Births, deaths, and migration in Northern Europe
The subregion is projected to record 1,035,552 births and 1,067,089 deaths in 2026, a natural decrease of 31,537, with net migration of +479,121. Deaths have exceeded births every year since 2024. Between 2000 and 2023, cumulative net migration was +9,718,019.
Annual values; dashed lines after 2023 are the UN medium projection.
Mid-year population for every year; the medium scenario reaches 115.8M in 2050.
Demographic contrasts within Northern Europe
A regional pyramid is an aggregate, not a description of every country. The profiles within Northern Europe range from a median age of 36.6 years in Iceland to 46.3 years in Isle of Man. Those age structures imply different balances of schools, working-age cohorts, and older-age services.
Youngest median age
Iceland has a median age of 36.6 years and 17.3% under 15.
Fastest 2026 growth
Iceland has projected annual growth of +0.9%.
Countries and areas in Northern Europe
| Rank | Country or area | 2026 population | Median age | Under 15 | 65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Kingdom | 69,931,528 | 40.2 | 16.7% | 19.9% |
| 2 | Sweden | 10,701,046 | 40.4 | 16.4% | 21.1% |
| 3 | Denmark | 6,023,520 | 41.3 | 15.5% | 21.4% |
| 4 | Norway | 5,652,989 | 40.1 | 15.7% | 19.4% |
| 5 | Finland | 5,621,739 | 43.4 | 14.0% | 24.5% |
| 6 | Ireland | 5,356,950 | 39.2 | 17.6% | 16.5% |
| 7 | Lithuania | 2,797,338 | 42.6 | 14.3% | 21.3% |
| 8 | Latvia | 1,835,935 | 43.8 | 15.0% | 22.7% |
| 9 | Estonia | 1,331,062 | 43.2 | 14.9% | 22.3% |
| 10 | Iceland | 402,329 | 36.6 | 17.3% | 16.3% |
| 11 | Jersey | 104,106 | 43.9 | 14.0% | 19.7% |
| 12 | Isle of Man | 84,054 | 46.3 | 13.6% | 24.1% |
| 13 | Guernsey | 64,610 | 44.5 | 13.6% | 22.7% |
| 14 | Faroe Islands | 56,526 | 37.1 | 19.8% | 17.8% |
Source and interpretation
Regional age groups and totals come directly from the UN WPP 2024 medium series. Country groupings follow the UN M49 regions and subregions used in the source; territories and statistical areas may appear separately. Projection results depend on future fertility, mortality, and migration assumptions.
Questions about Northern Europe
What is the population of Northern Europe in 2026?
The UN WPP 2024 medium scenario projects Northern Europe's 2026 population at 109,963,731.
Which is the most populous country or area in Northern Europe?
United Kingdom is the largest profile in this regional directory, with a projected 2026 population of 69,931,528.
Is Northern Europe's population projected to grow by 2050?
The medium scenario shows a 5.4% increase between 2026 and 2050.