<P> As of 1 January 2006 , the population of the EU was about 493 million people . Many countries are expected to experience a decline in population over the coming decades , though this could be offset with new countries planning to join the EU within the next 20 years . The most populous member state is Germany , with an estimated 80.4 million people . France and Ireland have the highest birth - rates . The most densely populated country is the island of Malta , which is also the smallest , while the largest in area is France . The least densely populated country is Finland . </P>
<P> As of 1 January 2006 , the population of the EU was about 493 million people . Many countries are expected to experience a decline in population over the coming decades , though this could be offset with new countries planning to join the EU within the next 20 years . The most populous member state is Germany , with an estimated 80.4 million people . France and Ireland have the highest birth - rates . The most densely populated country is the island of Malta , which is also the smallest , while the largest in area is France . The least densely populated country is Finland . </P>
what is the most densely populated western european country
what is the most densely populated western european country
Malta
Malta