However, that status belies a simple reality: Europe’s place in the world is shrinking, as other parts of the world grow.

• In 1900, Europe accounted for around 25% of global population.
• By 2060, it will account for less than 5%.

No single Member State will have more than 1% of the world population by then.

Europe’s relative economic power is also forecast to wane,

• accounting for much less than 20% of the world’s GDP in 2030,
• down from around 22% today.

The rapidly rising influence of emerging economies accentuates the need for Europe to speak with one voice and to act with the collective weight of its individual parts.