Canada
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Canada's fertility patterns in 2024 show very modest shifts from the previous year but continue long-term trends of declining family size and rising maternal age. Total births increased by over 14,000, reflecting a small uplift despite lower overall fertility rates.
- Total maternal rate and children per mother remain nearly unchanged from 2023, continuing a gradual downward trend over the last five years.
- The average maternal age rose slightly to 30.5 years, marking a continuation of the slow increase seen over recent years.
- Childlessness has inched upward, now at 43.4%, reinforcing Canada’s position among countries with relatively high proportions of childless women.
- One-child families are becoming more common, while two- and three-plus child families are declining, highlighting shifting family size preferences.
In 2024, Canada’s fertility indicators show stable but slightly declining birth rates and rising maternal age, with distinct global mid-to-low rankings.
- Total maternal rate steady, ranked 30th out of 39 countries globally
- Children per mother near 2.2, holding 14th place worldwide
- Average maternal age increased to 30.5 years, ranked 12th internationally
- Childlessness rising, Canada ranks 10th highest globally
- Future worker gap low, positioned 33rd among 36 nations
Key fertility indicators — Canada
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 56.6% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 43.4% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.5 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 39.6% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 22 |
| Total births (latest year) | 365,737 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Canada’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 56.6% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 58.6%. Looking back to the 2020s (58.6%), TMR stands lower by about 2.0pp.
Globally, Canada ranks 33 out of 42 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 83.7% | 2010 | 71.4% |
| 1980 | 73.3% | 2020 | 60.7% |
| 1990 | 77.7% | 2023 | 56.8% |
| 2000 | 68.3% | 2024 | 56.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Children per mother (CPM)
Canada’s children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.20 in 2024. There is little change since 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.26). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.26), completed family size today is lower by about 0.07.
Globally, Canada ranks 18 out of 42 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.76 | 2010 | 2.30 |
| 1980 | 2.29 | 2020 | 2.32 |
| 1990 | 2.21 | 2023 | 2.21 |
| 2000 | 2.21 | 2024 | 2.20* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.5 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 30.2 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.2 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, Canada ranks 12 out of 42 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.70 | 2010 | 28.37 |
| 1980 | 24.90 | 2020 | 29.79 |
| 1990 | 25.90 | 2023 | 30.29 |
| 2000 | 27.11 | 2024 | 30.47* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 39.6% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.25). It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 35.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (35.8%), today’s TFG is higher by about 3.8pp.
Globally, Canada ranks 12 out of 42 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 20.5% |
| 1980 | 18.9% | 2020 | 32.1% |
| 1990 | 17.2% | 2023 | 39.3% |
| 2000 | 27.1% | 2024 | 39.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Canada stands at 23.7% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 2.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 25.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 25.7%), the FWG stands lower by about 2.0pp.
Globally, Canada has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 34/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -67.1% | 2010 | 30.1% |
| 1980 | -42.9% | 2020 | 26.1% |
| 1990 | -46.7% | 2023 | 26.1% |
| 2000 | 22.4% | 2024 | 23.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Canada is 44.6 years. It is down slightly from 2023 (down 0.3 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 50.9 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 50.9 years), SHL now stands lower by about 6.3 years.
Globally, Canada ranks 31 out of 42 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Canada, there would be 22 great-grandchildren, representing a -78.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Canada ranks 30 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2069 - Births down 75% in 2113 - Births down 90% in 2172
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 365,737 in 2024 to 182,868 in 2069, and by 90% to 36,574 in 2172 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in Canada is 43.4% as of 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 41.4%. Looking back to the 2020s (41.4%), childlessness is now higher by about 2.0pp.
Globally, Canada ranks 10 out of 42 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 16.3% | 2010 | 28.6% |
| 1980 | 26.7% | 2020 | 39.3% |
| 1990 | 22.3% | 2023 | 43.2% |
| 2000 | 31.7% | 2024 | 43.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Total births
In 2024, Canada recorded 365,737 total births. It is up from 2023 by 14,022 births. Over the past five years, total births have been rising, averaging 359,940 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (359,940), total births are now higher by 5,797 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 359.1k | 2010 | 379.0k |
| 1980 | 360.1k | 2020 | 360.7k |
| 1990 | 397.6k | 2023 | 351.7k |
| 2000 | 328.4k | 2024 | 365.7k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Canada stands at 23.7% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 2.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 25.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 25.7%), the FWG stands lower by about 2.0pp.
Globally, Canada has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 34/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -67.1% | 2010 | 30.1% |
| 1980 | -42.9% | 2020 | 26.1% |
| 1990 | -46.7% | 2023 | 26.1% |
| 2000 | 22.4% | 2024 | 23.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
