Luxembourg
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Luxembourg experienced a slight decline in its total maternal rate to 68.8% in 2024, continuing a downward trend over recent years. At the same time, the country saw a modest increase in total births along with a minor rise in the average maternal age, which remains among the highest globally.
- The average number of children per mother was 1.83 in 2024, stable over the last five years but still lower compared to many other countries.
- Childlessness increased slightly to 31.2%, marking a rising trend observed since 2020 but still ranking low internationally.
- The total fertility gap remained essentially unchanged at 39.1%, indicating persistent unmet fertility potential despite the low birth rates.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to nearly 32 years, consistent with Luxembourg's position among countries with the oldest average maternal ages.
In 2024, Luxembourg exhibits a stable yet aging maternal profile with modest declines in fertility and slightly increasing childlessness.
- Among highest total maternal rates globally and in Europe (ranked 5th)
- Low average children per mother (1.83), ranking 36th globally
- High average maternal age (31.9 years), 4th highest worldwide
- Moderate total fertility gap (39.1%), 9th highest in Europe
- Relatively low childlessness rate, ranked 26th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Luxembourg
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 68.8% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 47.5 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 23 |
| Total births (latest year) | 6,459 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Luxembourg’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 68.8% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.5pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 72.0%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (72.0%), today’s TMR is lower by about 3.2pp.
Globally, Luxembourg has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 5/42). Within Europe, Luxembourg has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 5/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 86.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 73.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 69.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 68.8% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Luxembourg is 1.83 (2024). There has been a modest increase since 2023 (up 0.02). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 1.83. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 1.83), completed family size today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Luxembourg has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 39/42). Within Europe, Luxembourg has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 28/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.89 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.85 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.81 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 1.83 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Luxembourg had children at an average age of 31.9 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 31.7 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.7 years), today’s AMA is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Luxembourg has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 4/42). Within Europe, Luxembourg has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 3/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.02 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.39 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.74 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 31.95 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Luxembourg’s TFG is 39.1% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.26). It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 36.2% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (36.2%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 2.9pp.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 14 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks 9 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 21.0% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 34.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 39.1% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Luxembourg’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 29.5%. It is lower than in 2023 (down 3.4pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 30.8%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 30.8%), the FWG stands lower by about 1.3pp.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 24 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks 18 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 20.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Luxembourg’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 47.5 years. It moved sharply up from 2023 (up 0.9 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 52.3 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 52.3 years), SHL now stands lower by about 4.8 years.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 29 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks 22 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Luxembourg, there would be 23 great-grandchildren, representing a -77.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 29 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks 22 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2071 - Births down 75% in 2119 - Births down 90% in 2182
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 6,459 in 2024 to 3,230 in 2071, and by 90% to 646 in 2182 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Luxembourg’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 31.2% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 28.0%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (28.0%), Luxembourg’s current TCR is higher by about 3.2pp.
Globally, Luxembourg has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 38/42). Within Europe, Luxembourg has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 26/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.7% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 31.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2024, Luxembourg recorded 6,459 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been broadly stable, averaging 6,468 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (6,468), total births are now close to that long-run level.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 5,856 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 6,443 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 6,277 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 6,459 |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Luxembourg’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 29.5%. It is lower than in 2023 (down 3.4pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 30.8%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 30.8%), the FWG stands lower by about 1.3pp.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 24 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Luxembourg ranks 18 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 20.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
