Slovakia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Slovakia experienced a notable rise in childlessness in 2024, with the total childlessness rate increasing by 3.3 percentage points from the previous year. Alongside this, mothers are having slightly more children on average, while the average maternal age remains stable near 28.3 years. Completed family size measures show mixed trends, reflecting ongoing demographic shifts.
- The total childlessness rate rose to 38.5% in 2024, up from 35.2% in 2023, continuing a recent upward trend in childless women.
- Average children per mother increased to 2.34, marking a slight rise and placing Slovakia among the highest globally and within Europe for this metric.
- Completed fertility among mothers decreased to 61.5%, reflecting fewer mothers with completed fertility compared to prior years.
- The total fertility gap expanded marginally to 30.5%, indicating that actual fertility remains below replacement-level expectations in Slovakia.
In 2024, Slovakia's birth trends show rising children per mother but increasing future worker gap, reflecting demographic challenges ahead.
- One of highest children per mother globally (2.34, rank 4/39)
- Fertility rate falling, ranks mid-low in Europe (TMR rank 22/30)
- Average maternal age low in Europe (28.3 years, rank 24/30)
- Rising childlessness rate (rank 9/30 in Europe)
- Future worker gap increasing sharply, mid-level European rank (12/29)
Key fertility indicators — Slovakia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 38.5% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 28.3 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 30.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 34 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Slovakia, completed fertility is 61.5% (2024). It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.3pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 68.2% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (68.2%), TMR stands lower by about 6.7pp.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 29 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 22 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 85.4% | 2010 | 70.3% |
| 1980 | 91.9% | 2020 | 72.8% |
| 1990 | 88.2% | 2023 | 64.8% |
| 2000 | 57.3% | 2024 | 61.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Slovakia is 2.34 (2024). It has risen compared with 2023 (up 0.07). Over the past five years, CPM has been rising, averaging 2.24. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.24), mothers in Slovakia are now having higher by about 0.10 children on average.
Globally, Slovakia has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 7/42). Within Europe, Slovakia has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 5/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.84 | 2010 | 2.03 |
| 1980 | 2.52 | 2020 | 2.15 |
| 1990 | 2.37 | 2023 | 2.27 |
| 2000 | 2.27 | 2024 | 2.34 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 28.3 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been broadly stable, averaging 28.3 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 28.3 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 35 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Slovakia has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 24/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.64 | 2010 | 27.03 |
| 1980 | 22.69 | 2020 | 28.18 |
| 1990 | 22.65 | 2023 | 28.28 |
| 2000 | 24.17 | 2024 | 28.31 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Slovakia’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 30.5% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.44). It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 26.3%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 26.3%), the TFG stands higher by about 4.2pp.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 30 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 21 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 24.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.0% |
| 2000 | 37.1% | 2024 | 30.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Slovakia stands at 44.5% in 2024. It rose sharply compared with 2023 (up 6.5pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 30.6%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.6%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 13.9pp.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 16 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 12 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -71.4% | 2010 | 19.3% |
| 1980 | -70.7% | 2020 | 20.0% |
| 1990 | -54.5% | 2023 | 38.0% |
| 2000 | 21.8% | 2024 | 44.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Slovakia’s SHL stands at 57.7 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.7 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 69.8 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 69.8 years), SHL now stands lower by about 12.1 years.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 18 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 13 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Slovakia, there would be 34 great-grandchildren, representing a -66.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 13 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 10 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2082 - Births down 75% in 2139 - Births down 90% in 2216
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 46,189 in 2024 to 23,094 in 2082, and by 90% to 4,619 in 2216 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in Slovakia is 38.5% as of 2024. It has risen compared with 2023 (up 3.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 31.8%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 31.8%), the rate today stands higher by about 6.7pp.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 14 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 9 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14.6% | 2010 | 29.7% |
| 1980 | 8.1% | 2020 | 27.2% |
| 1990 | 11.8% | 2023 | 35.2% |
| 2000 | 42.7% | 2024 | 38.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Slovakia were 46,189 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 2,395 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 52,101 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (52,101), total births are now lower by 5,912 births (11.3% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 80.6k | 2010 | 60.4k |
| 1980 | 95.1k | 2020 | 56.6k |
| 1990 | 79.9k | 2023 | 48.6k |
| 2000 | 55.1k | 2024 | 46.2k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Slovakia stands at 44.5% in 2024. It rose sharply compared with 2023 (up 6.5pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 30.6%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.6%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 13.9pp.
Globally, Slovakia ranks 16 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Slovakia ranks 12 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -71.4% | 2010 | 19.3% |
| 1980 | -70.7% | 2020 | 20.0% |
| 1990 | -54.5% | 2023 | 38.0% |
| 2000 | 21.8% | 2024 | 44.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
