Hungary
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Hungary experienced a significant drop in its total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024, falling to 62.5% which marks a 6.3 percentage point decline from the previous year and continues a downward five-year trend. Correspondingly, the share of women remaining childless rose sharply, reaching 37.5%, up by 6.3 percentage points from 2023, reflecting shifting family formation patterns.
- The average maternal age increased slightly to 29.4 years, continuing a gradual upward trend seen over recent years.
- Hungarian mothers are having on average 2.18 children in 2024, a marginal increase from 2023 but generally stable over the longer term.
- The total fertility gap widened to 34.1% in 2024, indicating a growing shortfall between actual fertility and replacement level births.
In 2024, Hungary faces a rising future worker gap amid declines in births and fertility rates, signaling demographic challenges ahead.
- Future Worker Gap high at nearly 47%, ranking 11th worst in Europe
- Total births steady but down over recent years, nearing 78,000
- Average children per mother stable around 2.18
- Childlessness rate increased sharply, now ranks 12th highest in Europe
- Societal Half-Life declined sharply, reflecting faster generational turnover
Key fertility indicators — Hungary
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 62.5% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 29.4 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 34.1% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 52.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 29 |
| Total births (latest year) | 77,511 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Hungary’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 62.5% in 2024. There was a steep decline compared with 2023 (down 6.3pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 70.2% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 70.2%), mothers are now having lower by about 7.7pp children on average.
Globally, Hungary ranks 26 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 19 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 94.4% | 2010 | 60.7% |
| 1980 | 90.6% | 2020 | 74.1% |
| 1990 | 81.8% | 2023 | 68.8% |
| 2000 | 58.2% | 2024 | 62.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Hungary is 2.18 (2024). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.02). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is rising with an average of 2.15. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.15), mothers in Hungary are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Hungary ranks 19 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 13 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.10 | 2010 | 2.06 |
| 1980 | 2.11 | 2020 | 2.11 |
| 1990 | 2.28 | 2023 | 2.16 |
| 2000 | 2.27 | 2024 | 2.18 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 29.4 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 29.1 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (29.1 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.4 years.
Globally, Hungary ranks 28 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 20 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.82 | 2010 | 27.67 |
| 1980 | 22.44 | 2020 | 28.36 |
| 1990 | 23.09 | 2023 | 29.26 |
| 2000 | 25.10 | 2024 | 29.45 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 34.1% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.36). There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 5.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 27.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (27.2%), today’s TFG is higher by about 6.9pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 20 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 14 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4.0% | 2010 | 39.7% |
| 1980 | 7.7% | 2020 | 24.6% |
| 1990 | 9.9% | 2023 | 28.3% |
| 2000 | 36.3% | 2024 | 34.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Hungary stands at 46.8% in 2024. There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 5.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 39.3%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (39.3%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 7.5pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 15 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 11 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -19.9% | 2010 | 28.5% |
| 1980 | -7.1% | 2020 | 35.7% |
| 1990 | -2.5% | 2023 | 41.2% |
| 2000 | 33.9% | 2024 | 46.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Hungary’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 52.2 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 13.0 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 69.3 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (69.3 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 17.1 years.
Globally, Hungary ranks 23 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 16 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Hungary, there would be 29 great-grandchildren, representing a -71.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Hungary ranks 23 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Hungary ranks 17 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2076 - Births down 75% in 2128 - Births down 90% in 2197
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 77,511 in 2024 to 38,756 in 2076, and by 90% to 7,751 in 2197 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
37.5% of women in Hungary remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It rose sharply compared with 2023 (up 6.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 29.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (29.8%), today’s level is higher by about 7.7pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 17 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 12 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5.6% | 2010 | 39.3% |
| 1980 | 9.4% | 2020 | 25.9% |
| 1990 | 18.2% | 2023 | 31.2% |
| 2000 | 41.8% | 2024 | 37.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Hungary recorded 77,511 total births. It is down from 2023 by 6,886 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 86,882 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (86,882), total births are now lower by 9,371 births (10.8% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 151.6k | 2010 | 90.3k |
| 1980 | 148.4k | 2020 | 92.3k |
| 1990 | 125.4k | 2023 | 84.4k |
| 2000 | 97.5k | 2024 | 77.5k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Hungary stands at 46.8% in 2024. There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 5.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 39.3%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (39.3%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 7.5pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 15 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Hungary ranks 11 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -19.9% | 2010 | 28.5% |
| 1980 | -7.1% | 2020 | 35.7% |
| 1990 | -2.5% | 2023 | 41.2% |
| 2000 | 33.9% | 2024 | 46.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
