Portugal
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Portugal's fertility and childbearing patterns remain mostly stable in 2024, with a slight rise in average maternal age and a minor increase in completed fertility. The total births declined marginally by about 1,000 from the previous year, while the share of lifetime childlessness holds steady at just over one-fifth of women.
- Total fertility rate is stable at 0.79, maintaining Portugal's position near the top globally despite the country's low overall fertility numbers.
- Average maternal age at childbirth continued to rise, reaching 30.6 years, indicating a trend toward later parenting.
- The total fertility gap increased slightly to 31.5%, showing that completed fertility remains below replacement level but without significant recent changes.
- Portugal has one of the lowest childlessness rates worldwide, at 21.2%, which has been gradually decreasing over the past five years.
In 2024, Portugal's maternal fertility and birth patterns show stability with slight shifts in age and family size amid broader demographic shifts.
- Second highest completed fertility rate globally
- Lowest children per mother in Europe
- Among oldest average maternal ages in Europe
- One-child families surpass two-child families slightly
- Future worker gap ranks 9th highest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Portugal
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 21.2% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.6 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 59.8 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 32 |
| Total births (latest year) | 84,642 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Portugal, completed fertility is 78.8% (2024). It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been rising (average 77.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (77.5%), today’s TMR is higher by about 1.3pp.
Globally, Portugal has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 2/42). Within Europe, Portugal has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 2/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 100.7% | 2010 | 76.3% |
| 1980 | 96.9% | 2020 | 78.7% |
| 1990 | 78.4% | 2023 | 78.8% |
| 2000 | 84.0% | 2024 | 78.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Portugal had an average of 1.80 children. It is marginally lower than in 2023 (down 0.04). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 1.82. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.82), mothers in Portugal are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Portugal has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 41/42). Within Europe, Portugal is ranked last among 30 countries (lowest CPM).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.98 | 2010 | 1.82 |
| 1980 | 2.32 | 2020 | 1.80 |
| 1990 | 1.99 | 2023 | 1.84 |
| 2000 | 1.84 | 2024 | 1.80 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.6 years. It has risen by 0.5 years compared with the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 30.3 years). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 30.3 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Portugal ranks 11 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Portugal has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 7/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.79 | 2010 | 28.12 |
| 1980 | 24.02 | 2020 | 30.18 |
| 1990 | 24.89 | 2023 | 30.15 |
| 2000 | 26.47 | 2024 | 30.62 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Portugal’s TFG is 31.5% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.42). It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.4pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been broadly stable (average 31.8% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.8%), the TFG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Portugal ranks 25 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Portugal ranks 17 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.4% |
| 1990 | 24.8% | 2023 | 30.1% |
| 2000 | 25.3% | 2024 | 31.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Portugal’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 47.0%. There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 0.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 46.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 46.2%), the FWG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Portugal ranks 13 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Portugal ranks 9 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -136.1% | 2010 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | -42.0% | 2020 | 43.4% |
| 1990 | -2.7% | 2023 | 46.2% |
| 2000 | 7.5% | 2024 | 47.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Portugal’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 59.8 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 2.5 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 58.8 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (58.8 years), the societal half-life today is higher by about 1.0 years.
Globally, Portugal ranks 15 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Portugal ranks 12 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Portugal, there would be 32 great-grandchildren, representing a -68.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Portugal ranks 18 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Portugal ranks 14 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2084 - Births down 75% in 2144 - Births down 90% in 2223
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 84,642 in 2024 to 42,321 in 2084, and by 90% to 8,464 in 2223 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Portugal’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 21.2%. It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been falling (average 22.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (22.5%), today’s level is lower by about 1.3pp.
Globally, Portugal has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 41/42). Within Europe, Portugal has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 29/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -0.7% | 2010 | 23.7% |
| 1980 | 3.1% | 2020 | 21.3% |
| 1990 | 21.6% | 2023 | 21.2% |
| 2000 | 16.0% | 2024 | 21.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Portugal recorded 84,642 total births. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been rising, averaging 83,579 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (83,579), total births are now higher by 1,063 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 180.6k | 2010 | 101.3k |
| 1980 | 158.1k | 2020 | 84.5k |
| 1990 | 116.2k | 2023 | 85.6k |
| 2000 | 119.9k | 2024 | 84.6k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Portugal’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 47.0%. There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 0.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 46.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 46.2%), the FWG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Portugal ranks 13 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Portugal ranks 9 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -136.1% | 2010 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | -42.0% | 2020 | 43.4% |
| 1990 | -2.7% | 2023 | 46.2% |
| 2000 | 7.5% | 2024 | 47.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
