Assumptions regarding future

Net migration represents the difference between immigrants and emigrants. When calculating the annual demographic balance, Eurostat defines net migration by subtracting natural change from total population change – referred to as ‘net migration plus statistical adjustment’. This measure includes statistical discrepancies and population changes that cannot be solely attributed to births, deaths, immigration, or emigration. The future scenarios on migration cover zero net migration, as well as 33 % less immigration from non-EU countries each year (lower migration) and 33 % more immigration from non-EU countries each year (higher migration) covering the projection horizon (see Figure 2).