How the European Union changed in 60 years

A comparison of the starting point of the 1957 the Rome Treaty creating the European Economic Community and the bloc now, but before Britain leaves.

The European Union is celebrating its 60th anniversary on Saturday seeking to demonstrate that the EU can survive the impending departure of major power Britain.

Below is a comparison of some statistics of the starting point when six countries signed in 1957 the Rome Treaty creating the European Economic Community -- the predecessor of today's European Union - and the bloc now, but before Britain leaves.

EUROPEAN UNION:

NUMBER OF COUNTRIES:

* Rome Treaty - 6

* Now - 28

NUMBER OF CITIZENS:

* Rome Treaty - around 163 million

* Now - around 510 million

AREA IN SQUARE KM:

* Rome Treaty - 1.3 million

* Now - 4.5 million

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES:

* Rome Treaty - 4

* Now - 24

GDP PER CAPITA:

* Rome Treaty - $10,065

* Now - $35,079

Data from Trading Economics, data for the Rome Treaty is from 1960.


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Source: AAP



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