The list of all EU countries has more than quadrupled since its origin in 1951 when 6 members founded the European Coal and Steel Community to help avoid any further wars in Europe. The ECSC evolved into the EU and grew to 28 members. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020* becoming the first former EU country. The combined population of the current 27 EU member states is around 445 million is the world’s largest customs union.
What is the difference between the EU and the Schengen zone? – The EU is an economic and political union. The Schengen Area is a travel zone. Visitors entering the Schengen Area can enter any of the 26 Schengen countries without further passport checks.
[ Compiled by Robert Junker, last updated Dec 31, 2022 ]
| EU Country | Accession | Population (millions)[1] | Area (km2) | Capital | GDP (€ euros)[2] | Government Debt %[2] | Unemployed %[3] | MEP Seats[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU States: 27 | Year: | Total: 445.11 | 4,381,324 | Brussels | €12,500+ | 87.3% | 10.50% | 705 |
| Germany | 1957 | 83.78 | 357,021 | Berlin | 2592.6 | 80.50% | 5.50% | 96 |
| France | 1957 | 65.27 | 547,030 | Paris | 1996.6 | 86.60% | 10.20% | 79 |
| Italy | 1957 | 60.46 | 301,320 | Rome | 1579.6 | 120.70% | 10.70% | 76 |
| Spain | 1986 | 46.75 | 504,782 | Madrid | 1063.3 | 69.30% | 25.00% | 59 |
| Poland | 2004 | 37.84 | 312,685 | Warsaw | 369.6 | 56.40% | 10.10% | 52 |
| Romania | 2007 | 19.23 | 238,391 | Bucharest | 136.5 | 33.40% | 7.30% | 33 |
| Netherlands | 1957 | 17.13 | 41,526 | Amsterdam | 601.9 | 65.50% | 5.30% | 29 |
| Belgium | 1957 | 11.59 | 30,510 | Brussels | 369.8 | 97.80% | 7.60% | 21 |
| Czechia / Czech Republic | 2004 | 10.7 | 78,866 | Prague | 156.2 | 40.80% | 7.30% | 21 |
| Greece | 1981 | 10.42 | 131,940 | Athens | 208.5 | 170.60% | 24.30% | 21 |
| Portugal | 1986 | 10.19 | 92,931 | Lisbon | 136.5 | 108.10% | 15.90% | 21 |
| Sweden | 1995 | 10.09 | 449,964 | Stockholm | 387.9 | 38.40% | 8.00% | 21 |
| Hungary | 2004 | 9.66 | 93,030 | Budapest | 99.8 | 81.40% | 10.90% | 21 |
| Austria | 1995 | 9 | 83,858 | Vienna | 300.7 | 72.40% | 4.30% | 19 |
| Bulgaria | 2007 | 6.94 | 110,994 | Sofia | 38.5 | 16.30% | 12.30% | 17 |
| Denmark | 1973 | 5.79 | 43,094 | Copenhagen | 239.2 | 46.60% | 7.50% | 14 |
| Finland | 1995 | 5.54 | 337,030 | Helsinki | 189.3 | 49.00% | 7.70% | 14 |
| Slovakia | 2004 | 5.45 | 48,845 | Bratislava | 69.1 | 43.30% | 14.00% | 14 |
| Ireland | 1973 | 4.93 | 70,280 | Dublin | 159 | 106.40% | 14.70% | 13 |
| Croatia | 2013 | 4.1 | 56,542 | Zagreb | 64.2 | 61% | 11.80% | 12 |
| Lithuania | 2004 | 2.72 | 65,200 | Vilnius | 30.8 | 40.70% | 17.80% | 11 |
| Slovenia | 2004 | 2.07 | 20,253 | Ljubljana | 36.1 | 46.90% | 8.90% | 8 |
| Latvia | 2004 | 1.88 | 64,589 | Riga | 20.2 | 48.20% | 14.90% | 8 |
| Estonia | 2004 | 1.32 | 45,226 | Tallinn | 15.9 | 6.10% | 16.90% | 7 |
| Cyprus | 2004 | 1.2 | 9,250 | Nicosia | 18 | 71.10% | 11.90% | 6 |
| Luxembourg | 1957 | 0.62 | 2,586 | Luxembourg | 42.6 | 18.30% | 5.10% | 6 |
| Malta | 2004 | 0.44 | 315,6 | La Valletta | 6.5 | 70.90% | 6.40% | 6 |
Notes: *In a referendum on 23rd June 2016 the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland voted to leave the EU. The UK finally left the EU on 31 January 2020 becoming the first former EU country. 2022, 2011 GDP nominal total, 2012, Kosovo is a disputed country, claimed by Serbia, recognized by 98 of 198 UN member states.
Potential EU Enlargement: EU Accession Countries List 2024
List of all European Union candidate countries and current status. Includes EU applicant countries and EU application status.
| Country | Membership Application | Association Agreement | Candidate Status | Area (km2) | Population (millions) | Captial | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 2009 | 2009 | 2014 | 28,768 | 2.85 | Tirana | Candidate |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 2016 | 2015 | – | 51,129 | 3.47 | Sarajevo | Potential candidate |
| Georgia | 2022 | 2016 | – | 69,700 | 3.69 | Tbilisi | Potential candidate |
| Kosovo[4] | 2016 | – | – | 10,867 | 1.94 | Pristina | Potential candidate |
| Moldova | 2022 | 2016 | 2022 | 33,846 | 2.60 | Chișinău | Candidate |
| Montenegro | 2008 | 2010 | 2010 | 13,812 | 0.62 | Podgorica | Candidate negotiating |
| North Macedonia | 2004 | 2004 | 2005 | 25,713 | 1.84 | Skopje | Candidate |
| Serbia | 2009 | 2013 | 2012 | 88,361 | 6.87 | Belgrade | Candidate negotiating |
| Turkey | 1987 | 1964 | 1999 | 783,356 | 84.68 | Ankara | Candidate negotiating |
| Ukraine | 2022 | 2017 | 2022 | 603,628 | 41.17 | Kyiv | Candidate |