G7 Nations
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the G7 Nations experienced a slight decline in the total maternal rate to 63.1%, continuing a modest downward trend over recent years. Though the average number of children per mother remains relatively high compared to global peers, childlessness has edged up again, while the overall fertility gap widened slightly.
- The total maternal rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points since 2023, continuing a gradual decline from 64.6% in early 2020s.
- Average children per mother stayed stable around 2.35, ranking G7 Nations 6th highest globally.
- Childlessness rose to 36.9%, up 0.7 points from 2023, reflecting a longer-term upward trend.
- The total fertility gap increased to 28.8%, suggesting fertility remains below replacement level despite slight increases in mothers with one or two children.
In 2024, G7 Nations show a stable average children per mother amid ongoing fertility and birthrate declines.
- Total maternal rate eased slightly, ranking 25th globally
- Children per mother steady and among highest worldwide (6th)
- Average maternal age rising slightly, low global rank (31st)
- Total fertility gap increasing but remains low (36th globally)
- Societal half-life notably high, indicating slower generational turnover (6th)
Key fertility indicators — G7 Nations
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.1% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.9% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 28.8% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 68.3 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 36 |
| Total births (latest year) | 7,048,561 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 63.1%. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.7pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 64.6% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (64.6%), today’s TMR is lower by about 1.5pp.
Globally, the G7 Nations ranks 25 out of 42 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 65.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 63.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 63.1% |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in the G7 Nations is 2.35 (2024). It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, CPM has been broadly stable, averaging 2.38. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.38), today’s CPM is close to that long-run level.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 6/42).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.39 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.36 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.35 |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The G7 Nations’s mean age at childbearing is 29.1 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.1 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 29.0 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 29.0 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, the G7 Nations ranks 31 out of 42 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.74 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.02 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.14 |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 28.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.47). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 25.9%. Looking back to the 2020s (25.9%), the gap is now higher by about 2.9pp.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 36/42).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 24.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 28.8% |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The G7 Nations’s FWG is 23.1% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.4pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been falling (average 23.6% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (23.6%), the future worker gap today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 35/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 23.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 24.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 23.1% |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, the G7 Nations’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 68.3 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 79.2 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (79.2 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 10.9 years.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 6/42).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in the G7 Nations, there would be 36 great-grandchildren, representing a -64.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 7/42).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2092 - Births down 75% in 2161 - Births down 90% in 2251
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 7,048,561 in 2024 to 3,524,280 in 2092, and by 90% to 704,856 in 2251 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the G7 Nations’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 36.9%. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 0.7pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 35.4%. Looking back to the 2020s (35.4%), childlessness is now higher by about 1.5pp.
Globally, the G7 Nations ranks 18 out of 42 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 34.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 36.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 36.9% |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Total births
In 2024, the G7 Nations recorded 7,048,561 total births. It is down from 2023 by 30,637 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 7,262,960 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (7,262,960), total births are now lower by 214,399 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 7.41M |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 7.08M |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 7.05M |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The G7 Nations’s FWG is 23.1% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.4pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been falling (average 23.6% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (23.6%), the future worker gap today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, the G7 Nations has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 35/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 23.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 24.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 23.1% |
Source: Weighted average of final member rows.
