17 million European people live on islands.

Omissions

• The official figure is stated as 'around/some 17 million', i.e. an approximation, not an exact headcount.
• The figure covers the inhabited islands of the EU's 16 Member States and includes the three island Member States (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta).
• The Commission source notes there are close to 27,000 islands in the EU, of which only a bit more than 4,000 are inhabited.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Commission — First-ever plans to unlock potential of EU islands and coastal communitiesSome 17 million people live on 4,000 islands across the EU, while 95 million people – one fifth of the EU population - live along EU coasts.
• PrimaryEuropean Commission — Islands of the European Union: analytical overviewAcross 16 Member States, the EU has close to 27,000 islands, of which more than 4,000 are inhabited, representing a total population of around 17 million.
• SecondaryEuropean Parliament — Legislative Train Schedule: Communication on islands and coastal communitiesAcross 16 Member States, the EU has close to 27 000 islands (over 4 000 of which inhabited), representing 17 million people.