Concerns about increasing costs of pensions and competitiveness of the European economy are frequently discussed in the media. Much of this worry is related to an ageing population structure, with fewer children being born, higher numbers of people in older age groups, and an expected overall decline in the European population. This paper explores current population trends across Europe, drawing on some of the most recent research area to consider likely implications for the future. Leaving Cert relevance: Core Unit 2 Regional Geography, Elective Unit 5 Patterns and Processes in the Human Environment.