Population characteristics in potential flood-prone areas

Floods are among Europe’s most common and costly climate-related disasters, and climate change is expected to increase their frequency and severity. In 2021, around 12% of Europe’s population — about 52 million people — lived in potential flood-prone area extent, with the highest number in Germany, France, and Italy. While social vulnerability and flood exposure do not always overlap, certain groups such as older people, those not in employment, and foreign-born residents face slightly higher exposure in some countries.

Key messeges:

Floods are one of Europe’s most common and costly climate-related disasters (EEA, 2025). The presence of people, infrastructure, and economic assets in flood-prone areas drives both human and financial risks. Climate change is expected to further increase flood frequency and severity, heightening population exposure and potential losses.

In 2021, around 12% of Europe’s population - approximately 52 million people - lived in potential flood-prone areas. The countries with the highest proportion of population in those areas were in Liechtenstein (30.9%), the Netherlands (23.4%), Slovakia (21.9%), and Austria (20.8%). The highest absolute number of people in potential flood-prone areas were in Germany (10.4 million), France (8.3 million), and Italy (6.3 million).

In Europe, there are no major differences between the percentage of children, older people, or those with a migrant background living in potential flood-prone areas and their percentage in the general population. There is a slightly higher percentage of people in employment in potential flood-prone areas compared to their share of the population.

In some countries, including Finland, Portugal, and Sweden, people aged 65 and older make up a higher share of those living in potentially flood-prone areas compared to their share of the national population.

A larger percentage of residents born outside the EU live in potentially flood-prone areas than their share of the total population in certain countries, including Belgium (10.1% vs. 7.7%), Ireland (11.6% vs. 9.3%), and Germany (10.1% vs. 9.2%).

People not in employment form a bigger share of population in potential flood-prone areas compared to general population in several countries, including Belgium (35.2% vs. 33.3%), Luxembourg (41.4% vs. 37.2%), and Bulgaria (38.5% vs. 34.8%). In contrast, in Italy, employed people are overrepresented in flood-prone areas (67.7% vs. 63.1%).