The European Union (EU) is a political and economic union of 27 member states that are located primarily in Europe. A supranational union with a total area of 4,233,255 km2 (1,634,469 sq mi) and an estimated population of just under 452 million as of 2026, its member states generated a nominal gross domestic product (GDP) of around €18.802 trillion in 2025, accounting for approximately one sixth of global economic output. The EU is often described as a sui generis political entity combining characteristics of both a federation and a confederation. The Nobel Peace Prize 2012, announced October 12, 2012. European Union, “for over six decades contributed to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe”. Wiki link Data: the Nobel Foundation (CC0).