Evolution of the population
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In 10 years, the population has increased by 25.7% in Luxembourg, 15 times more than in the European Union (1.7%).
25 %
The evolution of the population through censuses
Since the 2011 census, the population has increased by 25.7% (131,588 people) to reach 643,941 inhabitants on 8 November 2021.
In addition to this significant demographic growth, an ageing of the population is observed: the average age of the population is 39.7 years, i.e. 1 year older than in 2011. This ageing can also be seen in the age pyramids. To represent the relative importance of the different age groups, the young-age dependency ratio and the old-age dependency ratio can be calculated. The young-age dependency ratio indicates the number of children and young people between 0 and 14 years of age per 100 people aged 15 to 64. This ratio has decreased from 25.2% in 2011 to 23.0% in 2021. The old-age dependency ratio, which indicates the number of people aged 65 and over per 100 people aged between 15 and 64, has increased from 20.4% in 2011 to 21.2% in 2021.
Strong population growth since 2011
The overall population increase of 25.7% since 2011 characterises Luxembourg especially in comparison with the other EU-27 countries, whose population has increased by 1.7% between 2011 and 2021.
Compared to 2011, the share of women is slightly lower than that of men (49.6% women in 2021 compared to 50.2% in 2011). This over-representation of men has been observed since 2014 and is due to the structure of migrants where men are slightly over-represented.
| RP2011 | RP2021 | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 512 353 | 643 941 |
| Women | 257 386 | 319 586 |
| Men | 254 967 | 324 355 |
| Share of women | 50.2% | 49.6% |
| Share of men | 49.8% | 50.4% |
| Average age | 38.7 years | 39.7 years |
| Average age of women | 39.7 years | 40.4 years |
| Average age of men | 37.8 years | 39.0 years |
| Median age | 39.0 years | 39.0 years |
| Median age of women | 39.0 years | 40.0 years |
| Median age of men | 38.0 years | 39.0 years |
| Peoples aged 100+ years | 67 | 91 |
Source : STATEC
A strongly represented population of working ages
The age structure of the Luxembourg population has changed over the last few decades. Young people aged 0-19 are, in relative terms, becoming less numerous, while the number of people aged 40-64 and those aged 80 and over is increasing in relative terms. This ageing of the population can be better visualised with the help of age pyramids.
In 2021, the age pyramid is roughly bell-shaped in the upper half: there are few people at the top. From the top of the pyramid, the number of people increases to the 35-39 age group (except for the 45-49 age group) which forms the base of the bell. From the age of 65, there are systematically more women than men. This is a consequence of the higher life expectancy of women.
The surplus of men at younger ages is mainly due to a slightly higher number of male births than female births. While more boys are born than girls, this masculinity is gradually offset by excess male mortality at each age, leading to a strong preponderance of women at older ages.
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Source : STATEC
The age structure of the population
has changed considerably over time
- 1910
- 1930
- 1947
- 1970
- 1991
- 2011
- 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
Population structure by age and sex in 2011 and 2021
A dependency ratio that has
been declining for two decades
The overall dependency ratio is an indicator for the economic "burden" resulting from the age structure. If we consider that the under-15s and the over-64s are inactive, and that the 15-64s constitute the working population, the overall dependency ratio indicates how many inactive people are dependent on 100 working people.
The old-age dependency ratio is 21.2% in 2021 (20.4% in 2011). In other words, in 2021, there are 21.2 people aged 65 and over for every 100 people aged 15 to 64. This old-age dependency ratio has remained at almost 20% since the 1970s.
In contrast, the young-age dependency ratio shows a wave pattern: after peaking at around 34.3% in 1966, it dips temporarily to 25.3% in 1991 and rises again to a value of 28.2% in 2001. Since then, the ratio has fallen to 25.2% in 2011 and to 23.0% in 2021.
Evolution of the young-age dependency ratio and the old age dependency ratio in Luxembourg between 1960 and 2021
Source : STATEC
More results
In the coming months, various publications will be produced for the public, but also for the public specialised in demographic issues. At the same time, statistical tables on the various census topics will be published on the Statistics Portal.
The next publication will present the territorial evolution of the population through the censuses.
Find out more about the evolution
of the population through censuses.
Why is the census important?
Census results are essential information for public policy decision-making.
Census data help to forecast needs for land use planning, schools, nurseries, hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, housing, etc.
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