On 3 December 2025, the European Commission has published its EU Agenda for Cities, providing a vision for the future of European cities. EU population has grown in cities over ten years (+2.7%), capital metropolitan regions produced 23% of EU GDP in 2021, and 45% of people in cities rent their homes are some of the trends that emerged in a new Joint Research Centre (JRC) study. The analysis confirms known features of urban life and highlights emerging trends in cities across Europe.
The JRC has contributed to the Agenda with insights and analyses on demographic, socio-economic and environmental trends in EU cities since 2011 and is preparing an update of the State of European Cities Report to be published by the end of 2026.
Read the full article from the Joint Research Centre here: Growth, housing, employment: what data says about life in EU cities - The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub
Sources
- Reference
- https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/growth-housing-employment-what-data-says-about-life-eu-cities-2025-12-03_en
- Publication date
- 3 December 2025
- Author
- Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy
- Department
- Joint Research Centre
- Policy Area
- Connected and accessible cities
- Fair and healthy cities
- Prosperous and creative cities
- Resilient and decarbonised cities
- Safe and engaged cities
- Step
- Plan
- Learn