Positive net migration will remain the main factor partially offsetting the European Union’s natural population decline in the coming decades, according to Eurostat projections.
According to Eurostat estimates, between 2025 and 2100, the EU is expected to see 253 million births and 409.8 million deaths, equivalent to a natural population decline of 156.7 million people. At the same time, total net migration over the same period is expected to add 103.7 million people, which will partially offset the demographic decline.
This is precisely why, as Eurostat emphasizes, high and sustained positive net migration remains the sole driver of population growth for those countries where the population will still be increasing by 2100. In some cases, migration can slow down aging, as the proportion of working-age people is often high among migrants.
At the same time, statisticians note that the impact of migration is ambiguous. In some countries, the influx of migrants of retirement age may, on the contrary, exacerbate population aging, and negative net migration can accelerate this process if younger and economically active residents leave the country.
Overall, under the baseline scenario, the EU population will grow slightly until 2029 and then begin a gradual and increasingly noticeable decline, reaching 398.8 million people by 2100, compared to 451.8 million in 2025.
Eurostat specifically emphasizes that this is not a forecast in the strict sense, but rather a “what-if” scenario based on maintaining the underlying assumptions regarding fertility, mortality, and migration throughout the projection period.
By 2100, the population will decline in 18 European Union countries, with the sharpest declines expected in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, according to Eurostat data.
Under Eurostat’s baseline scenario, Latvia’s population will decrease by 33.9%, Lithuania’s by 33.4%, and Poland’s by 31.6% by the end of the century compared to 2025. A significant decline is also expected in Germany, Slovenia, Finland, and the Czech Republic, where the decline will be around 10%.
At the same time, population growth is projected only in nine EU countries by 2100. The population will increase by more than 25% only in Luxembourg and Malta—by 36.4% and 26%, respectively. Growth of 10–20% is expected in Sweden and Ireland.
Despite the overall population decline, Germany, according to Eurostat estimates, will remain the most populous EU country in 2100 with 74.7 million inhabitants. It will be followed by France with 67.2 million and Spain with 49.8 million people.
The statistical office notes that differences between countries will be significant both in terms of when peak population is reached and the scale of subsequent decline or growth.
On Wednesday, after 12:00 p.m., Ukraine resumed oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, according to a source close to the Ukrainian government who spoke to the online portal “Energoreforma.”
“At 12:35 p.m., oil transit was launched. Pumping has begun,” said the source speaking to “Energoreforma.”
He has not yet specified the volume of the transit.
As reported with reference to Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Saková, the resumption of supplies via the Druzhba pipeline to that country is expected on Thursday morning.
Hungary and Slovakia have not received Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline since January 27 of this year due to damage to the pipeline caused by Russian shelling. Earlier, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán stated that he would not lift his veto on the €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine until oil supplies are restored.
Péter Magyar, leader of the Tisza Party, which won the elections in Hungary, called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to ensure the Druzhba pipeline is restored as soon as possible.
The day before, the Kremlin stated that Russia is technically ready to resume transit through the Druzhba pipeline to Hungary.
Hungarian MOL announced on Wednesday, April 22, that the state-owned JSC “Ukrtransnafta,” responsible for operating the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, had officially notified it of the completion of repair work on the Druzhba pipeline, as well as the termination of the force majeure circumstances that had been in effect since January 27, 2026.
For many test-takers and professionals, the IELTS exam is seen as an academic challenge, but for introverts, the real test begins even before the pen touches the paper. It starts in a small room, face-to-face with the examiner.
The Speaking Section lasts 11–14 minutes, during which you must not only demonstrate your knowledge of grammar but also be an “interesting conversationalist.” But what if your comfort zone is silence, and questions about your hobbies or childhood memories make you want to just nod politely and leave?
Today we’ll explore how to turn introversion into your superpower and score high on the IELTS Speaking test by using a strategic approach instead of emotional openness.
There is a misconception that to get a high score on the IELTS, you need to be a charismatic speaker who loves being the center of attention. In reality, examiners don’t evaluate your personality; they assess four specific criteria: None of these points require you to be the life of the party. Moreover, extroverts’ excessive talkativeness often leads to a loss of focus and structural errors, whereas introverts’ tendency toward analysis can be a decisive advantage.
The biggest barrier for an introvert is the need to talk about themselves. When you are asked: “Describe a time when you were very busy”, you might think: “I don’t want to share anything personal” or “Nothing that interesting has ever happened in my life.”
Solution: Treat the Speaking section as a role-playing game. You don’t have to be 100% honest. The examiner isn’t verifying the facts of your biography. They’re assessing your ability to construct sentences.
Case #1: Alexei and “Boring” Questions Alexei is an IT specialist accustomed to giving concise answers. When asked “Do you like your neighbors?”, he usually replied simply “Yes, they are quiet”. That’s a 5.0-level answer. We changed the approach: Alexei began using the “Answer + Extension + Example” structure. Instead of thinking about his actual neighbors, he imagined an ideal scenario. His answer became: “Actually, I would say that I have a very positive relationship with them. Even though we don’t interact much, which I personally prefer, they are incredibly respectful of my privacy. For instance, they never make noise late at night, which is crucial for my focus.” Result: 7.5 in Speaking thanks to the logical expansion of his thought.
In the first part of the exam, questions usually concern your daily life: home, work, studies, the weather. For an introvert, this may seem too simplistic or, conversely, an intrusion into personal space.
The “Paraphrase the Question” Technique When you need to buy some time to think, don’t stay silent. Use introductory phrases that will help you get into the flow:
● “That’s an interesting question, let me think for a second…”
● “To be honest, I haven’t thought about it much before, but I suppose…”
These “fillers” sound natural and give your brain the necessary 2–3 seconds to formulate a response without creating an awkward silence.
The second part—the Cue Card—is a real challenge. You need to speak for 2 minutes without stopping. Introverts often run out of ideas after just 40 seconds.
The “Mind Map” Method During the 1-minute preparation time, don’t write full sentences. Sketch out the structure. Divide your story into: Case #2: Maria and the Fear of Public Speaking Maria had to describe a memorable trip. She started worrying that her story about a trip to the Carpathians was too simple. We advised her to shift the focus from events to describing her feelings (which is more natural for introverts). She used rich vocabulary to describe nature and inner peace. Instead of a dry list of places, she created an atmospheric narrative that allowed her to speak easily for over 1.5 minutes.
The third part of the exam involves discussing abstract and global topics. And this is where your tendency toward deep reflection becomes your main strength. The examiner is no longer interested in what you had for breakfast; they want to know your opinion on climate change, education, or technology.
Use the OREO structure:
● O (Opinion): State a clear opinion.
● R (Reason): Explain why you think so.
● E (Example): Give an example (it can be fictional).
● O (Opinion/Conclusion): Summarize what you’ve said.
This creates a sense of academic maturity and confidence, even if you feel uncomfortable inside.
● Try to be “too” energetic. If you start gesturing unnaturally or laughing loudly, it will only drain your energy and throw you off track. Stay calm and focused—that’s also a sign of confidence.
● Give one-word answers. “Yes” or “No” is a death sentence for your score. Even if the question seems like a closed-ended one to you, always add “because…”.
● Correct every minor mistake. If you made a mistake with an article—move on. Constant self-correction disrupts fluency.
Remember that the examiner is not a judge, but a person whose job is to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge. They are often tired themselves after dozens of candidates, so your clear, structured, and calm response will be a real gift to them.
Before starting the Speaking section, take a few deep breaths. Remind yourself: “I’m not here to be liked as a person. I’m here to show how well I master English grammar”. This shift in focus from the personal to the technical is incredibly liberating.
We understand that every student has their own unique learning style, and the approach to teaching must be tailored accordingly. Our Business Language English courses are built on the principles of individual progress and psychological comfort. We don’t just teach you grammar—we help you find your own “voice” in English, whether you’re a natural speaker or someone who values every word. Thanks to our methods and experienced instructors, you’ll be able to turn exam preparation into an engaging process of self-improvement, where every lesson brings you closer to your dream score. Together, we’ll prove that your reserved nature isn’t a hindrance, but rather the foundation for deep and high-quality knowledge that you’ll be able to confidently demonstrate on the exam.
JSC “Intercondicioner” (Kharkiv) will pay shareholders UAH 1 million in dividends for 2025 between May 7 and October 20, 2026, at a rate of UAH 625 per share (with a par value of UAH 1,000).
According to the company’s filing with the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC), the decision was approved at the general meeting of shareholders on April 15.
As reported, Interconditioner ended 2025 with a net profit of UAH 2.38 million, slightly exceeding the 2024 figure.
Shareholders planned to allocate UAH 1 million to dividends and leave the remaining profit undistributed.
Based on the company’s 2024 results, it allocated UAH 0.8 million to dividends from its net profit of UAH 2.31 million, at a rate of UAH 500 per share.
According to the company’s report, shareholders at the meeting also changed the composition of the supervisory board (SB), specifically, they relieved SB Chairman Serhiy Boiko of his duties (as of early 2026, he held 37.75% of the company’s shares), and elected his representative, Viktor Belov, as chairman; Belov has served as head of the labor and payroll department and acting head of the internal audit service over the past five years.
Viktor Doroshin (who does not hold any shares) was removed from the SB, and Dmitry Ostapenko, who owns 40.688% of the company’s shares, was elected to the new SB. At the same time, Anastasia Prokhorova was re-elected for a new three-year term.
As of the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the NSSMC, Serhiy Boiko owned 37.75% of the company’s shares, Dmytro Ostapenko – 40.688%, and Nadiya Ostapenko – 17.44%.
Founded in 1996, Interconditioner, according to the company, is Ukraine’s largest manufacturer of a wide range of equipment for air conditioning, industrial and general ventilation, emergency smoke extraction and air heating systems, and provides installation and maintenance services.
The company’s equipment is used in large enterprises, retail and office centers, hotels, supermarkets, and healthcare facilities.
According to opendatabot, in 2025 the company increased its net sales revenue by 22.4% compared to 2024—to 99.3 million UAH.
The authorized capital of JSC “Intercondicioner” is 1.6 million UAH.
Mining company Ferrexpo, with its main assets in Ukraine, had a net cash position of $17 million as of April 17; its directors emphasize the need for an urgent increase in share capital by at least $100 million, without which shareholders could lose the entire value of their investments.
“The Board of Directors believes that increasing the share capital is currently the only viable solution within the required timeframe,” Ferrexpo stated in a stock exchange announcement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, such a share capital increase is likely to be structured as a conditional placement of new shares among existing and new institutional investors with the aim of raising at least $100 million to support the group’s working capital and meet its short-term operational needs, allowing it to operate at a reduced level over the next 18 months.
“It is currently expected that this capital raising will be initiated and completed (subject to, among other things, the approval of resolutions at the general meeting and the admission to listing and trading of the new ordinary shares to be issued as part of this capital raising) no later than April 30, 2026, so that the company can publish its audited financial results for the year ending December 31, 2025,” the statement notes.
The company does not intend to publish a prospectus in connection with the planned capital raising.
Ferrexpo noted that discussions are ongoing with the company’s largest shareholder—Fevamotinico Sarl, owned by Konstantin Zhevago, which currently holds 294,993,686 shares, representing 49.32%—regarding whether Fevamotinico will support the resolution at the general meeting.
The Board of Directors also warned that if the planned fundraising is not initiated and the share book is not finalized by April 30, the listing and trading of its shares will be suspended from 7:30 a.m. on May 1, 2026, until the completion of the audit and publication of the annual report and financial statements for 2025, which in itself will require the implementation of the relevant financing decision so that financial results can be prepared on a going-concern basis.
“Under this scenario, there can be no certainty regarding the expected timing of the lifting of the suspension of listing and the resumption of trading in the company’s shares, if it occurs at all,” the statement notes.
Ferrexpo shares fell 11.91% to 38.02 pence at the start of trading on Wednesday, corresponding to a market capitalization of GBP258.2 million.
