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20 years together

20 years of EU membership

How this has changed the EU

With the 2004 enlargement, the EU has become one of the world’s largest single markets. We have witnessed growth and prosperity. Over the past 20 years, continental-scale modern infrastructure and connections have been built across the 27 Member States, thanks to EU investments and funds. European society has benefitted from more innovations, public and private investments, the free movement of goods, services, capital and people, higher standards and greater opportunities.

  • Over 2.7 million
    Number of young people from the 10 new countries who participated in Erasmus+ programme since 2004
  • 26 million
    New jobs across the EU
  • 79%
    Percentage of citizens in the 10 new countries who believe that their country benefitted from EU membership

Success stories

20 years together

Events celebrating the 20th anniversary

The European Commission Representations in EU countries are hosting numerous events to mark the twentieth anniversary of the 2004 enlargement. Discover them and get more information on how to take part.

20 years together: celebrations

Resources

The data used in the ’20 years together’ campaign are based on Eurostat statistics as well on other official information sources and subject to updates. The surveys referred to are taken from the Eurobarometer.