New thematic data stories published in the Atlas of Demography explore linkages between demography and air, water and soil pollution. The stories aim to stimulate a discussion about the role of demography in EU policies addressing pollution.

Pollution is one of the top three global issues threatening human health and the health of our planet, besides climate change and biodiversity loss.

It is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases and of premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain medical conditions and older people.

We know that human activities cause pollution and that different forms of pollution affect human health. However, the impacts of demographic change on pollution levels and on the achievement of pollution reduction targets, as well as the impacts of pollution on our ageing population are less known.

Three new thematic data stories published in the Atlas of Demography explore these connections.

The stories support the implementation of the Commission’s Zero Pollution action plan. Published in the context of a workshop on ‘reducing health inequalities through zero pollution’ organised by the European Commission and European Environment Agency, they aim to introduce the topic of demography in the discussions about EU pollution reduction initiatives.

The stories highlight that the health burden resulting from pollution related diseases will depend on the vulnerability of the future population. Children, pregnant women, older people and people with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to pollution related diseases.

Further embedding demographic insights in environmental policies, as well as a better understanding of the diverse impacts of pollution on different demographic and socioeconomic groups, con contribute to the implementation of policies that take into account the vulnerabilities and needs of different demographic groups.

The Atlas of Demography (AoD) is an interactive tool, which provides harmonised and validated data on demography for the 27 EU Member States as well as thematic stories linking demography to various policy areas to support evidence-based policymaking.

Explore the stories for further information:

Demography and soil pollution

Demography and water pollution

Demography and air pollution