レッスンを予約する
Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
EU population hits record 450 million on another migration boost
Migration into the European Union pushed its population to a record 450.4 million last year, offsetting a natural decline for the fourth straight year, EU data released on July 11 showed.
Since 2012, the EU has recorded more deaths than births annually, making migration the sole driver of population growth.
The trend highlights Europe’s demographic challenge as an aging population and low fertility rates strain welfare systems and create labor shortages.
The bloc added 1.07 million inhabitants in 2024, with positive net migration of 2.3 million people compensating for a natural population decline of 1.3 million as deaths (4.82 million) continued to outweigh births (3.56 million).
Germany, France and Italy remain the bloc’s most populous countries, accounting for almost half of the total EU population with 47%.
While 19 EU countries recorded population increases in 2024, eight saw declines.
Malta recorded the highest growth rate at 19.0 per 1,000 people, followed by Ireland (16.3) and Luxembourg (14.7).
Among countries with declining populations, Latvia was the steepest (-9.9), followed by Hungary (-4.7), Poland and Estonia (both -3.4).
(Reuters)
Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
migration
移民
A group of people moving from one place to another to live or work there
The government is creating new policies to manage migration.
政府は移民を管理するための新しい政策を作っています。
offset
相殺する
To balance one influence against an opposing influence, so that there is no great difference as a result
The extra cost of fuel was offset by the cheaper price of the tickets.
燃料の追加費用は、チケットの安さで相殺された。
demographic
人口統計の
Relating to demography (= the study of populations and the different groups that make them up)
Researchers used demographic data to plan new schools in the city.
研究者たちは都市に新しい学校を計画するために人口統計データを利用しました。
fertility rate
出生率
The average number of children that a woman in a country will have in her lifetime.
The fertility rate is an important factor in population growth.
出生率は人口増加において重要な要素である。
compensate
補う
To provide something good to balance or reduce the bad effects of damage, loss, etc.
Extra training can compensate for a lack of experience.
追加のトレーニングで経験不足を補うことができます。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
What factor kept the EU’s population growing last year despite more deaths than births?
How is Europe’s aging population affecting society?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Do you think demographic trends in your country are similar or different from those in the EU? Please explain your answer.
What are some possible reasons for low fertility rates in a country?
Do you think migration is a good solution for countries with low birth rates? Why or why not?
Do you support accepting a large number of immigrants to your country? Why or why not?
Have you ever interacted with immigrants or people from other countries? What was your experience like?