Lithuania
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Lithuania saw a notable decline in total maternal rate to 54.7%, down 2.3 percentage points from 2023, continuing a multi-year downward trend. Meanwhile, the lifetime childlessness rate rose to 45.3%, marking a 2.3 percentage point increase and confirming an ongoing rise in women who remain childless. These shifts highlight persistent demographic challenges, including very low fertility levels and a shrinking average family size.
- Total Fertility Gap increased to 48.2%, indicating births are nearly half below replacement level, second highest in Europe.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to 29.5 years, reflecting a gradual trend toward later childbearing.
- Mothers having two children make up the majority at 55.4%, with small families prevailing over larger ones.
- Total births declined by 1,260 from 2023, and average children per mother dropped to 1.96, among the lowest in Europe.
In 2024, Lithuania continues to experience significant demographic shifts with low fertility and rising childlessness, impacting future generations and workforce potential.
- Total maternal rate low at 54.7%, ranked 27th in Europe
- Average children per mother near 2, among the lowest in Europe
- Childlessness rate high at 45.3%, 4th highest in Europe
- Future Worker Gap significant at 51.1%, ranked 4th highest in Europe
- Societal half-life sharply decreased, ranked 29th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Lithuania
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 54.7% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 45.3% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 48.2% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 14 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Lithuania’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 54.7% in 2024. It is lower than in 2023 (down 2.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 59.8%. Looking back to the 2020s (59.8%), TMR stands lower by about 5.1pp.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 27/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 112.2% | 2010 | 69.0% |
| 1980 | 94.0% | 2020 | 66.9% |
| 1990 | 98.6% | 2023 | 57.0% |
| 2000 | 66.5% | 2024 | 54.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Lithuania had an average of 1.96 children. It fell compared with 2023 (down 0.06). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.10). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.10), today’s CPM is lower by about 0.14.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 36/42). Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 26/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.14 | 2010 | 2.18 |
| 1980 | 2.12 | 2020 | 2.21 |
| 1990 | 2.05 | 2023 | 2.02 |
| 2000 | 2.09 | 2024 | 1.96 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Lithuania had children at an average age of 29.5 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 29.0 years). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (29.0 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.5 years.
Globally, Lithuania ranks 27 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Lithuania ranks 19 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.72 | 2010 | 26.45 |
| 1980 | 23.79 | 2020 | 28.16 |
| 1990 | 23.28 | 2023 | 29.25 |
| 2000 | 23.90 | 2024 | 29.50 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Lithuania’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 48.2% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.07). It increased relative to 2023 (up 3.9pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 39.1%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (39.1%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 9.1pp.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 4/42). Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 2/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.5% |
| 1980 | 3.7% | 2020 | 28.5% |
| 1990 | 2.1% | 2023 | 44.3% |
| 2000 | 32.8% | 2024 | 48.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Lithuania’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 51.1%. There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 46.2% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (46.2%), today’s FWG is higher by about 4.9pp.
Globally, Lithuania ranks 8 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 4/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -109.0% | 2010 | 38.8% |
| 1980 | -18.1% | 2020 | 38.9% |
| 1990 | -30.6% | 2023 | 49.6% |
| 2000 | 20.2% | 2024 | 51.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Lithuania’s SHL stands at 33.2 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.9 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 44.9 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (44.9 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 11.7 years.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 39/42). Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 29/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Lithuania, there would be 14 great-grandchildren, representing a -86.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 39/42).
Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 29/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2057 - Births down 75% in 2090 - Births down 90% in 2134
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 19,086 in 2024 to 9,543 in 2057, and by 90% to 1,909 in 2134 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Lithuania’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 45.3%. It is higher than in 2023 (up 2.3pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 40.2% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (40.2%), childlessness is now higher by about 5.1pp.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 6/42). Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 4/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -12.2% | 2010 | 31.0% |
| 1980 | 6.0% | 2020 | 33.1% |
| 1990 | 1.4% | 2023 | 43.0% |
| 2000 | 33.5% | 2024 | 45.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Lithuania were 19,086 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 1,260 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 21,932 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (21,932), total births are now lower by 2,846 births (13.0% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 55.5k | 2010 | 30.7k |
| 1980 | 51.8k | 2020 | 25.1k |
| 1990 | 56.9k | 2023 | 20.3k |
| 2000 | 34.1k | 2024 | 19.1k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Lithuania’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 51.1%. There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.5pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 46.2% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (46.2%), today’s FWG is higher by about 4.9pp.
Globally, Lithuania ranks 8 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Lithuania has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 4/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -109.0% | 2010 | 38.8% |
| 1980 | -18.1% | 2020 | 38.9% |
| 1990 | -30.6% | 2023 | 49.6% |
| 2000 | 20.2% | 2024 | 51.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
