European Union
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the European Union experienced a slight decline in its total maternal rate, dropping to 64.5%, continuing a five-year downward trend. Despite a small rise in the average maternal age to 30.3 years, total births decreased by over 111,000 compared to the previous year, highlighting ongoing demographic challenges.
- The lifetime childlessness rate increased to 35.5%, up 1.7 percentage points since 2023, and remains significantly above the early 2020s average.
- Total fertility gap grew by 2.2 percentage points to 34.5%, indicating a widening difference between desired and actual childbearing.
- The distribution of motherhood by number of children remained stable, with nearly half of mothers having two children and just over a quarter having three or more.
- Healthy life expectancy at birth decreased by 5.7 years to 57.0, marking a notable drop in overall expected years in good health.
In 2024, the European Union faces a significant demographic challenge with a high Future Worker Gap at over 40%, indicating a shrinking workforce relative to retired and dependent populations.
- Total maternal rate has eased slightly, ranking 14th globally among 42 countries
- Average children per mother stable around 2.1, placing EU 26th globally
- Average maternal age has risen to just over 30 years, ranked 18th globally
- Lifetime childlessness rate increased to over 35%, ranked 29th globally
Key fertility indicators — The The European Union
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.5% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.3 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 57.0 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 28 |
| Total births (latest year) | 3,550,766 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
European Union’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 64.5% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.7pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 68.7%. Looking back to the 2020s (68.7%), TMR stands lower by about 4.2pp.
Globally, European Union ranks 14 out of 42 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 71.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 66.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 64.5%* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in European Union is 2.12 (2024). It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been broadly stable (five-year average 2.13). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.13), completed family size today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, European Union ranks 26 out of 42 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.13 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.12 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.12* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.3 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 30.0 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (30.0 years), today’s AMA is higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, European Union ranks 18 out of 42 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.65 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.11 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 30.30* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, European Union’s TFG is 34.5% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.36). It increased relative to 2023 (up 2.2pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 29.4%. Looking back to the 2020s (29.4%), the gap is now higher by about 5.1pp.
Globally, European Union ranks 19 out of 42 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 34.5%* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for European Union stands at 41.8% in 2024. It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 39.6% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (39.6%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.2pp.
Globally, European Union ranks 17 out of 39 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 37.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 42.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 41.8%* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, European Union’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 57.0 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 5.7 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 75.9 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 75.9 years), SHL now stands lower by about 18.9 years.
Globally, European Union ranks 19 out of 42 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in European Union, there would be 28 great-grandchildren, representing a -72.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, European Union ranks 24 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2081 - Births down 75% in 2138 - Births down 90% in 2213
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 3,550,766 in 2024 to 1,775,383 in 2081, and by 90% to 355,077 in 2213 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, European Union’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 35.5%. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.7pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 31.3% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.3%), today’s level is higher by about 4.2pp.
Globally, European Union ranks 29 out of 42 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 35.5%* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Total births
In 2024, European Union recorded 3,550,766 total births. It is down from 2023 by 111,226 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 3,845,410 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (3,845,410), total births are now lower by 294,644 births (7.7% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 4.07M |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 3.66M |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 3.55M* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for European Union stands at 41.8% in 2024. It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 39.6% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (39.6%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.2pp.
Globally, European Union ranks 17 out of 39 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 37.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 42.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 41.8%* |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Weighted average of final member rows.
