Denmark
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Denmark’s fertility landscape in 2024 shows a slight dip in total maternal rate alongside a marginal rise in childlessness, marking a continuation of recent trends. Average maternal age and births per mother remain close to their recent norms, while the total fertility gap has risen moderately, reflecting shifts in completed family sizes.
- Total maternal rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points to 64.9%, continuing a five-year downward trend from about 69.5%.
- Childlessness rose by 0.7 percentage points to 35.1%, continuing an upward trend over recent years.
- Average maternal age increased slightly to 30.3 years, maintaining a gradual rise seen in the past five years.
- Average children per mother held steady near 2.26, close to the five-year average, while the total fertility gap increased by 1.5 percentage points to 29.2%.
In 2024, Denmark shows steady fertility patterns with a moderate decline in total maternal rate, stable children per mother, and a slightly older average maternal age.
- Total maternal rate slightly decreased, ranking 13th globally and 12th in Europe
- Children per mother stable at around 2.26, ranked 11th globally and 10th in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing marginally up to 30.3 years, 17th globally
- Childlessness rising, with over one-third women lifetime childless, ranked 27th globally
Key fertility indicators — Denmark
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.9% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 35 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Denmark’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 64.9% in 2024. It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.7pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 69.5% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (69.5%), completed fertility today is lower by about 4.6pp.
Globally, Denmark ranks 13 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Denmark ranks 12 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 77.7% | 2010 | 84.0% |
| 1980 | 71.5% | 2020 | 74.1% |
| 1990 | 75.7% | 2023 | 65.6% |
| 2000 | 77.0% | 2024 | 64.9% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Denmark is 2.26 (2024). It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.02). Over the past five years, CPM has been broadly stable, averaging 2.28. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.28), mothers in Denmark are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Denmark ranks 13 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Denmark ranks 10 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.51 | 2010 | 2.23 |
| 1980 | 2.16 | 2020 | 2.26 |
| 1990 | 2.20 | 2023 | 2.28 |
| 2000 | 2.30 | 2024 | 2.26 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Denmark’s mean age at childbearing is 30.3 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 30.1 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.1 years), the average maternal age today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Denmark ranks 17 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Denmark ranks 12 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.84 | 2010 | 28.70 |
| 1980 | 24.60 | 2020 | 29.83 |
| 1990 | 26.35 | 2023 | 30.15 |
| 2000 | 27.70 | 2024 | 30.34 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Denmark’s TFG is 29.2% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.47). It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.5pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 23.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (23.5%), today’s TFG is higher by about 5.7pp.
Globally, Denmark ranks 34 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Denmark has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 25/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5.8% | 2010 | 9.6% |
| 1980 | 25.3% | 2020 | 19.0% |
| 1990 | 19.5% | 2023 | 27.7% |
| 2000 | 14.6% | 2024 | 29.2% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Denmark’s FWG is 26.8% in 2024. It is lower than in 2023 (down 2.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 23.7% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 23.7%), the FWG stands higher by about 3.1pp.
Globally, Denmark ranks 31 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Denmark has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 25/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -25.0% | 2010 | 13.3% |
| 1980 | -7.5% | 2020 | 19.4% |
| 1990 | -7.3% | 2023 | 29.3% |
| 2000 | 9.1% | 2024 | 26.8% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Denmark’s SHL stands at 65.0 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.7 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 87.4 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (87.4 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 22.4 years.
Globally, Denmark ranks 8 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Denmark has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 5/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Denmark, there would be 35 great-grandchildren, representing a -65.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Denmark ranks 8 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Denmark has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 6/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2089 - Births down 75% in 2154 - Births down 90% in 2240
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 57,064 in 2024 to 28,532 in 2089, and by 90% to 5,706 in 2240 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
35.1% of women in Denmark remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.7pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 30.5%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (30.5%), today’s level is higher by about 4.6pp.
Globally, Denmark ranks 30 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Denmark ranks 19 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.3% | 2010 | 16.0% |
| 1980 | 28.5% | 2020 | 25.9% |
| 1990 | 24.3% | 2023 | 34.4% |
| 2000 | 23.0% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Denmark were 57,064 in 2024. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 59,464 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (59,464), total births are now lower by 2,400 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 70.8k | 2010 | 63.4k |
| 1980 | 57.3k | 2020 | 60.9k |
| 1990 | 63.4k | 2023 | 57.5k |
| 2000 | 67.0k | 2024 | 57.1k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Denmark’s FWG is 26.8% in 2024. It is lower than in 2023 (down 2.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 23.7% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 23.7%), the FWG stands higher by about 3.1pp.
Globally, Denmark ranks 31 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Denmark has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 25/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -25.0% | 2010 | 13.3% |
| 1980 | -7.5% | 2020 | 19.4% |
| 1990 | -7.3% | 2023 | 29.3% |
| 2000 | 9.1% | 2024 | 26.8% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
