Finland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Finland's fertility landscape in 2024 shows subtle shifts, with the completed fertility rate slightly below half a child per mother and a small increase in total births compared to the previous year. Average maternal age remains steady just above 30 years, while the total fertility gap, indicating the proportion of mothers not reaching the replacement level, shows a modest rise over recent years. Childlessness remains notably high, approaching half of women remaining childless over their lifetime.
- Completed fertility rate stands at 0.551 children per mother in 2024, with little change from 2023.
- Total births increased marginally to 43,655, reflecting a stable birth count.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to 30.0 years, continuing a gradual upward trend.
- Childlessness rate is high at nearly 45%, marking an increase over the past five years and ranking among the highest in Europe.
In 2024, Finland's fertility metrics showed little change with low total mothers' fertility and stable family size amid a declining future worker gap.
- Total mothers' fertility rate low, ranked 26th in Europe
- Average children per mother stable, ranked 9th in Europe
- High childlessness rate, fifth highest in Europe
- Average maternal age moderate, ranked 14th in Europe
- Future worker gap declining, among the lowest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Finland
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 39.6% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 44.0 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 22 |
| Total births (latest year) | 43,655 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Finland, completed fertility is 55.1% (2024). It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 57.8%. Looking back to the 2020s (57.8%), TMR stands lower by about 2.7pp.
Globally, Finland ranks 35 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Finland has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 26/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 78.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 58.3% |
| 1990 | 73.1% | 2023 | 55.4% |
| 2000 | 71.2% | 2024 | 55.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Finland is 2.27 (2024). This is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been broadly stable (five-year average 2.30). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.30), completed family size today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Finland ranks 12 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Finland ranks 9 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.39 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.35 |
| 1990 | 2.44 | 2023 | 2.27 |
| 2000 | 2.43 | 2024 | 2.27 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Finland had children at an average age of 30.0 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 29.8 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (29.8 years), the average maternal age today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Finland ranks 21 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Finland ranks 14 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.29 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.46 |
| 1990 | 26.47 | 2023 | 29.96 |
| 2000 | 27.40 | 2024 | 30.02 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Finland’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 39.6% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.25). It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 35.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 35.7%), the TFG stands higher by about 3.9pp.
Globally, Finland ranks 13 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Finland ranks 8 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 9.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.8% |
| 1990 | 13.9% | 2023 | 39.3% |
| 2000 | 16.5% | 2024 | 39.6% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Finland stands at 27.1% in 2024. It fell compared with 2023 (down 2.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 27.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (27.8%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Finland ranks 30 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Finland has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 24/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 18.5% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.0% |
| 1990 | -9.2% | 2023 | 29.5% |
| 2000 | 34.0% | 2024 | 27.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Finland’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 44.0 years. It is down from 2023 (down 0.3 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 50.6 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 50.6 years), SHL now stands lower by about 6.5 years.
Globally, Finland ranks 32 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Finland ranks 23 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Finland, there would be 22 great-grandchildren, representing a -78.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Finland ranks 31 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Finland ranks 23 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2068 - Births down 75% in 2112 - Births down 90% in 2170
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 43,655 in 2024 to 21,828 in 2068, and by 90% to 4,366 in 2170 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
44.9% of women in Finland remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 42.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (42.2%), today’s level is higher by about 2.7pp.
Globally, Finland ranks 8 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Finland has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 5/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 21.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 41.7% |
| 1990 | 26.9% | 2023 | 44.6% |
| 2000 | 28.8% | 2024 | 44.9% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Finland recorded 43,655 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 45,603 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (45,603), total births are now lower by 1,948 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 61.0k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 46.5k |
| 1990 | 65.5k | 2023 | 43.3k |
| 2000 | 56.7k | 2024 | 43.7k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Finland stands at 27.1% in 2024. It fell compared with 2023 (down 2.4pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 27.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (27.8%), today’s FWG is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Finland ranks 30 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Finland has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 24/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 18.5% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.0% |
| 1990 | -9.2% | 2023 | 29.5% |
| 2000 | 34.0% | 2024 | 27.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
