Latvia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Latvia experienced a notable rise in its total childlessness rate in 2024, reaching 47.6%, up nearly 5 percentage points from the prior year and marking one of the highest levels in Europe. Meanwhile, the total fertility gap widened sharply, indicating a substantial shortfall from replacement fertility. These shifts underscore ongoing demographic challenges, as birth rates continue to decline and fewer women are having children.
- Total Fertility Gap increased by 6.6 percentage points to 42.0%, reflecting a growing gap between actual and replacement fertility levels.
- Completed fertility rate fell to 52.4% in 2024, continuing a downward trend in maternal fertility over recent years.
- Average maternal age at childbirth dropped to 28.1 years, reversing a prior rising trend and remaining among the youngest in Europe.
- Total births fell by over 1,500 year-over-year to 12,887, alongside a decrease in average children per mother from 2.34 to 2.56, indicating fewer births overall.
In 2024, Latvia's fertility patterns show a consistent decline in births alongside high childlessness and shifting family sizes.
- Low total motherhood rate, ranked near bottom in Europe
- High children per mother, among the highest in Europe
- One of Europe's youngest average maternal ages
- Very high childlessness rate, second highest in Europe
- Societal half-life sharply decreased, ranking low in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Latvia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 47.6% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 42.0% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 20 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Latvia, completed fertility is 52.4% (2024). It declined relative to 2023 (down 4.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 59.5%. Looking back to the 2020s (59.5%), TMR stands lower by about 7.1pp.
Globally, Latvia has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 39/42). Within Europe, Latvia has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 29/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 63.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 63.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 57.2% |
| 2000 | 62.2% | 2024 | 52.4%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Latvia had an average of 2.56 children. There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 0.22). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been rising (five-year average 2.42). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.42), today’s CPM is higher by about 0.13.
Globally, Latvia has the highest CPM (ranked 1/42). Within Europe, Latvia has the highest CPM (ranked 1/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.09 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.39 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.34 |
| 2000 | 2.00 | 2024 | 2.56* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Latvia had children at an average age of 28.1 years. It has fallen by 0.8 years compared with the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been falling (average 28.5 years). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 28.5 years), AMA now stands lower by about 0.4 years.
Globally, Latvia has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Latvia has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 26/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.27 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 28.87 |
| 2000 | 23.95 | 2024 | 28.10* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Latvia’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 42.0% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.20). There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 6.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 31.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.7%), the TFG stands higher by about 10.3pp.
Globally, Latvia ranks 10 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Latvia has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 7/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 35.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 35.4% |
| 2000 | 40.0% | 2024 | 42.0%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Latvia’s FWG is 49.9% in 2024. It increased relative to 2023 (up 4.9pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 40.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 40.2%), the FWG stands higher by about 9.7pp.
Globally, Latvia ranks 10 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Latvia has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 6/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 45.0% |
| 2000 | 36.6% | 2024 | 49.9%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Latvia is 38.3 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 10.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 57.7 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (57.7 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 19.5 years.
Globally, Latvia ranks 35 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Latvia has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 25/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Latvia, there would be 20 great-grandchildren, representing a -80.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Latvia ranks 33 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Latvia has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 24/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2062 - Births down 75% in 2101 - Births down 90% in 2151
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 12,887 in 2024 to 6,444 in 2062, and by 90% to 1,289 in 2151 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in Latvia is 47.6% as of 2024. It increased relative to 2023 (up 4.8pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 40.5%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (40.5%), Latvia’s current TCR is higher by about 7.1pp.
Globally, Latvia has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 4/42). Within Europe, Latvia has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 2/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 36.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 36.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 42.8% |
| 2000 | 37.8% | 2024 | 47.6%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Total births
Total births in Latvia were 12,887 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 1,591 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 15,651 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (15,651), total births are now lower by 2,764 births (17.7% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 19.8k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 17.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 14.5k |
| 2000 | 20.3k | 2024 | 12.9k* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Latvia’s FWG is 49.9% in 2024. It increased relative to 2023 (up 4.9pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 40.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 40.2%), the FWG stands higher by about 9.7pp.
Globally, Latvia ranks 10 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Latvia has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 6/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 45.0% |
| 2000 | 36.6% | 2024 | 49.9%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
