Iceland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Iceland’s fertility landscape in 2024 reveals a slight decline in completed fertility rate to 66.7%, continuing a recent downward trend over the past five years. Despite this, the average number of children per mother remains high, close to historical levels, positioning Iceland among the countries with the largest family sizes globally. Meanwhile, the average maternal age is rising gradually. Childlessness has also increased modestly, reflecting ongoing shifts in reproductive patterns.
- Completed fertility rate dropped by 0.8 percentage points since 2023, continuing a five-year decline and now about 6.1 points below the early 2020s average.
- Average children per mother held steady at 2.34, ranking Iceland third globally and second in Europe for completed family size.
- Average maternal age rose by 0.3 years to 29.1 years in 2024, reflecting a steady upward trend over recent years.
- Total childlessness rate increased slightly to 33.3%, reaching about 6.1 points above the early 2020s norm, indicating more women remain without children.
In 2024, Iceland's fertility and demographic patterns show stability with a high average children per mother and notable longevity despite recent declines.
- Average children per mother (2.34) among highest globally, ranked 3rd of 39
- Total fertility rate stable but declining over five years, ranking 8th in Europe
- Average maternal age rising to 29.1 years, mid-range in Europe
- Childlessness rate increasing modestly, ranked low (23rd in Europe)
- Strong survivor health length (76.2 years), among top 3 in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Iceland
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 33.3% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 24.6% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 43 |
| Total births (latest year) | 4,311 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Iceland, completed fertility is 66.7% (2024). It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.8pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 72.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (72.8%), today’s TMR is lower by about 6.1pp.
Globally, Iceland ranks 9 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Iceland ranks 8 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 86.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 83.9% |
| 1990 | 82.4% | 2023 | 67.5% |
| 2000 | 84.7% | 2024 | 66.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Iceland had an average of 2.40 children. There has been a modest increase since 2023 (up 0.04). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is rising with an average of 2.36. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 2.36), completed family size today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Iceland has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 4/42). Within Europe, Iceland has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 3/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.60 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.14 |
| 1990 | 2.80 | 2023 | 2.36 |
| 2000 | 2.45 | 2024 | 2.40* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Iceland had children at an average age of 29.1 years. It has risen by 0.3 years compared with the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 28.8 years). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 28.8 years), AMA now stands higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, Iceland ranks 32 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Iceland ranks 22 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.85 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.65 |
| 1990 | 23.96 | 2023 | 28.77 |
| 2000 | 25.45 | 2024 | 29.10* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 24.6% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.56). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.5pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 17.7% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (17.7%), today’s TFG is higher by about 6.9pp.
Globally, Iceland has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 39/42). Within Europe, Iceland has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 28/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 13.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 23.1% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 24.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Iceland stands at 12.8% in 2024. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 1.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.9%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 10.9pp.
Globally, Iceland has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 38/39). Within Europe, Iceland is ranked last among 29 countries (lowest FWG).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | -10.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -3.8% |
| 1990 | -132.2% | 2023 | 14.3% |
| 2000 | -28.8% | 2024 | 12.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Iceland is 76.2 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 5.2 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 131.7 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (131.7 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 55.5 years.
Globally, Iceland has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 4/42). Within Europe, Iceland has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 3/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Iceland, there would be 43 great-grandchildren, representing a -57.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Iceland has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 4/42).
Within Europe, Iceland has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 3/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2100 - Births down 75% in 2176 - Births down 90% in 2277
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 4,311 in 2024 to 2,156 in 2100, and by 90% to 431 in 2277 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in Iceland is 33.3% as of 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.8pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 27.2%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (27.2%), Iceland’s current TCR is higher by about 6.1pp.
Globally, Iceland ranks 35 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Iceland ranks 23 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 16.1% |
| 1990 | 17.6% | 2023 | 32.5% |
| 2000 | 15.3% | 2024 | 33.3%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Total births
In 2024, Iceland recorded 4,311 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been broadly stable, averaging 4,476 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (4,476), total births are now close to that long-run level.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 4,906 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 4,505 |
| 1990 | 4,768 | 2023 | 4,313 |
| 2000 | 4,315 | 2024 | 4,311* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Iceland stands at 12.8% in 2024. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 1.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.9%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 10.9pp.
Globally, Iceland has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 38/39). Within Europe, Iceland is ranked last among 29 countries (lowest FWG).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | -10.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -3.8% |
| 1990 | -132.2% | 2023 | 14.3% |
| 2000 | -28.8% | 2024 | 12.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
