Netherlands
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Fertility indicators in the Netherlands remained broadly stable into 2024, with only minor variations from 2023. The total maternal rate slightly increased to 66.3%, continuing a gradual downward trend over the past five years from an earlier 68.9%. Average maternal age has gently risen to 30.4 years, aligning with recent upward shifts in the childbearing age.
- The average children per mother edged down marginally to 2.16 but stays near the five-year average of 2.18.
- Lifetime childlessness is steady at 33.7%, reflecting a slow climb over the last five years.
- The total fertility gap rose modestly to 30.8%, indicating more women are having fewer children than the replacement rate.
- Despite small year-on-year changes, overall fertility measures place the Netherlands in the middle ranks globally and within Europe.
In 2024, the Netherlands showed stable fertility rates with a modest decline in total fertility rate and slight increases in childlessness over recent years.
- Average children per mother steady at just over two
- Maternal age remains high, ranking 8th oldest in Europe
- Total fertility gap rising but mid-level globally
- Childlessness rate increasing, among the highest in Europe
- Strong decline in family weight growth, one of lowest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — The The Netherlands
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
| Total births (latest year) | 166,143 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Netherlands, completed fertility is 66.3% (2024). It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 68.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (68.9%), completed fertility today is lower by about 2.6pp.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 11 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 10 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 90.5% | 2010 | 84.1% |
| 1980 | 68.0% | 2020 | 69.9% |
| 1990 | 72.3% | 2023 | 66.0% |
| 2000 | 82.6% | 2024 | 66.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Netherlands had an average of 2.16 children. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.02). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 2.18. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.18), mothers in Netherlands are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 21 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 15 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.84 | 2010 | 2.13 |
| 1980 | 2.36 | 2020 | 2.21 |
| 1990 | 2.23 | 2023 | 2.18 |
| 2000 | 2.08 | 2024 | 2.16 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Netherlands’s mean age at childbearing is 30.4 in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 30.3 years). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.3 years), the average maternal age today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 13 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 8 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.78 | 2010 | 29.24 |
| 1980 | 25.74 | 2020 | 30.19 |
| 1990 | 27.61 | 2023 | 30.35 |
| 2000 | 28.63 | 2024 | 30.45 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Netherlands’s TFG is 30.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.43). It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 27.3% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 27.3%), the TFG stands higher by about 3.5pp.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 28 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 19 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.2% |
| 1980 | 22.6% | 2020 | 25.4% |
| 1990 | 21.9% | 2023 | 30.4% |
| 2000 | 16.8% | 2024 | 30.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Netherlands’s FWG is 25.8% in 2024. There was a steep decline compared with 2023 (down 5.9pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 31.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.7%), the FWG stands lower by about 5.9pp.
Globally, Netherlands has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 33/39). Within Europe, Netherlands has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 27/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -85.1% | 2010 | 25.1% |
| 1980 | -21.9% | 2020 | 36.6% |
| 1990 | -19.9% | 2023 | 31.7% |
| 2000 | 8.9% | 2024 | 25.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Netherlands is 61.2 years. It is down from 2023 (down 0.7 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 71.8 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (71.8 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 10.7 years.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 12 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 9 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Netherlands, there would be 33 great-grandchildren, representing a -67.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 14 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 11 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2085 - Births down 75% in 2146 - Births down 90% in 2227
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 166,143 in 2024 to 83,072 in 2085, and by 90% to 16,614 in 2227 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Netherlands’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 33.7% in 2024. It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 31.1% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.1%), the rate today stands higher by about 2.6pp.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 32 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Netherlands ranks 21 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 9.5% | 2010 | 15.9% |
| 1980 | 32.0% | 2020 | 30.1% |
| 1990 | 27.7% | 2023 | 34.0% |
| 2000 | 17.4% | 2024 | 33.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Netherlands recorded 166,143 total births. It is up from 2023 by 1,695 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 169,222 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (169,222), total births are now lower by 3,079 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 238.9k | 2010 | 184.4k |
| 1980 | 181.3k | 2020 | 168.6k |
| 1990 | 197.9k | 2023 | 164.4k |
| 2000 | 206.6k | 2024 | 166.1k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Netherlands’s FWG is 25.8% in 2024. There was a steep decline compared with 2023 (down 5.9pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 31.7%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.7%), the FWG stands lower by about 5.9pp.
Globally, Netherlands has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 33/39). Within Europe, Netherlands has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 27/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -85.1% | 2010 | 25.1% |
| 1980 | -21.9% | 2020 | 36.6% |
| 1990 | -19.9% | 2023 | 31.7% |
| 2000 | 8.9% | 2024 | 25.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
