Romania
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Romania experienced a notable decline in its total maternal rate, dropping sharply by over 10 percentage points from the previous year to 67.7%. Concurrently, the proportion of women remaining childless rose significantly, indicating shifting demographic patterns despite a slight rise in children per mother and fertility measures.
- The total maternal rate fell steeply from 77.8% in 2023 to 67.7% in 2024, reversing a longer-term decline trend over recent years.
- Childlessness increased markedly by 10.1 percentage points to 32.3%, contrasting with Romania's traditionally low rates compared to other countries.
- Children per mother rose modestly to 2.04, continuing a gradual upward trend since 2020.
- Total fertility gap improved by 7.5 percentage points, reaching 33.4% in 2024, reflecting a partial recovery in birth rates despite fewer total births recorded.
In 2024, Romania shows mixed fertility trends with a notable Total Maternal Rate decline but rising children per mother and fertility gap.
- Total Maternal Rate ranked 7th highest in Europe, though sharply declined
- Average children per mother increasing, mid-range in Europe
- Among youngest maternal ages in Europe, ranked 27th
- Childlessness remains low compared to Europe, despite recent rise
- Future Worker Gap relatively high, 8th highest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Romania
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 67.7% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 30 |
| Total births (latest year) | 142,994 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Romania’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 67.7% in 2024. There was a steep decline compared with 2023 (down 10.1pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 85.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (85.8%), today’s TMR is lower by about 18.1pp.
Globally, Romania has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 7/42). Within Europe, Romania has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 7/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 84.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 97.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 77.8% |
| 2000 | 66.2% | 2024 | 67.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
Romania’s children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.04 in 2024. The average is higher than in 2023 (up 0.06). Over the past five years, CPM has been rising, averaging 1.92. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (1.92), today’s CPM is higher by about 0.12.
Globally, Romania ranks 31 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Romania ranks 21 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.87 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.82 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.97 |
| 2000 | 1.97 | 2024 | 2.04 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, mothers in Romania had children at an average age of 27.6 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been broadly stable (average 27.7 years). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (27.7 years), the average maternal age today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Romania has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 39/42). Within Europe, Romania has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 27/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.08 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.82 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.60 |
| 2000 | 23.72 | 2024 | 27.64 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Romania’s TFG is 33.4% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.38). There was a marked increase versus 2023 (up 7.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 20.9%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (20.9%), today’s TFG is higher by about 12.5pp.
Globally, Romania ranks 21 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Romania ranks 15 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 24.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 14.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 25.9% |
| 2000 | 36.9% | 2024 | 33.4% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Romania’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 47.4%. It is higher than in 2023 (up 4.0pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 41.1%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (41.1%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 6.3pp.
Globally, Romania ranks 12 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Romania ranks 8 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 14.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 43.4% |
| 2000 | 26.1% | 2024 | 47.4% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Romania is 50.6 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 17.9 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 99.7 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 99.7 years), SHL now stands lower by about 49.1 years.
Globally, Romania ranks 26 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Romania ranks 19 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Romania, there would be 30 great-grandchildren, representing a -70.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Romania ranks 22 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Romania ranks 16 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2075 - Births down 75% in 2125 - Births down 90% in 2192
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 142,994 in 2024 to 71,497 in 2075, and by 90% to 14,299 in 2192 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
32.3% of women in Romania remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It jumped noticeably from 2023 (up 10.1pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 14.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 14.2%), the rate today stands higher by about 18.1pp.
Globally, Romania has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 36/42). Within Europe, Romania has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 24/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 15.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 22.2% |
| 2000 | 33.8% | 2024 | 32.3% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2024, Romania recorded 142,994 total births. It is down from 2023 by 16,413 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 174,889 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (174,889), total births are now lower by 31,895 births (18.2% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 211.5k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 197.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 159.4k |
| 2000 | 234.0k | 2024 | 143.0k |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
In 2024, Romania’s Future Worker Gap (FWG) is 47.4%. It is higher than in 2023 (up 4.0pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 41.1%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (41.1%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 6.3pp.
Globally, Romania ranks 12 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Romania ranks 8 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 14.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 43.4% |
| 2000 | 26.1% | 2024 | 47.4% |
Source: Eurostat.
