Spain
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Spain's demographic indicators in 2024 remain largely stable compared to 2023, with subtle shifts that highlight persistent trends. The average age of mothers continues to rise, now ranking among the highest globally, while fertility rates and childlessness remain at notably low and high levels respectively within Europe.
- The average maternal age increased by half a year to 32.0, placing Spain 3rd highest worldwide and 2nd in Europe for this measure.
- Total maternal rate remained steady at 57.0%, continuing a downward trend over recent years and ranking low in European comparisons.
- Childlessness holds steady at 43%, a relatively high figure that has been slowly increasing over the past five years.
- The fertility gap rose slightly to 46.6%, indicating a widening gap between desired and actual fertility with Spain ranking high on this measure globally.
In 2024, Spain shows stable birth patterns with low fertility and high maternal age, continuing recent demographic trends.
- Total maternal rate among lowest in Europe (24th of 30)
- Average children per mother near European low (27th of 30)
- Second highest average maternal age in Europe (ranked 2/30)
- High total fertility gap, ranked fourth highest in Europe
- Childlessness rate among highest in Europe (7th of 30)
Key fertility indicators — Spain
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 57.0% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 46.6% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 15 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Spain’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 57.0% in 2024. It shows virtually no movement compared with 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 59.1%. Looking back to the 2020s (59.1%), TMR stands lower by about 2.1pp.
Globally, Spain ranks 32 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Spain has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 24/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 74.1% |
| 1980 | 90.4% | 2020 | 61.5% |
| 1990 | 67.0% | 2023 | 57.2% |
| 2000 | 64.7% | 2024 | 57.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Spain is 1.94 (2024). It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is broadly stable with an average of 1.94. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (1.94), today’s CPM is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Spain has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Spain has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 27/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.85 |
| 1980 | 2.45 | 2020 | 1.92 |
| 1990 | 2.03 | 2023 | 1.95 |
| 2000 | 1.86 | 2024 | 1.94 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Spain’s mean age at childbearing is 32.0 in 2024. It has risen by 0.5 years compared with the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 31.6 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (31.6 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.5 years.
Globally, Spain has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 3/42). Within Europe, Spain has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 2/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.82 |
| 1980 | 25.06 | 2020 | 31.19 |
| 1990 | 26.82 | 2023 | 31.50 |
| 2000 | 29.13 | 2024 | 32.02 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 46.6% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.11). It is up marginally on 2023 (up 0.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 44.5%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (44.5%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 2.1pp.
Globally, Spain has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 6/42). Within Europe, Spain has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 4/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 43.0% |
| 1990 | 34.3% | 2023 | 46.0% |
| 2000 | 41.7% | 2024 | 46.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Spain’s FWG is 59.9% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 57.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (57.2%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.7pp.
Globally, Spain has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 6/39). Within Europe, Spain has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 2/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.7% |
| 1980 | -25.1% | 2020 | 54.4% |
| 1990 | -28.8% | 2023 | 59.3% |
| 2000 | 19.6% | 2024 | 59.9% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in Spain is 37.6 years. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 39.5 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 39.5 years), SHL now stands lower by about 1.9 years.
Globally, Spain has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 37/42). Within Europe, Spain has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 27/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Spain, there would be 15 great-grandchildren, representing a -85.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Spain has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 37/42).
Within Europe, Spain has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 27/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2062 - Births down 75% in 2099 - Births down 90% in 2149
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 318,005 in 2024 to 159,002 in 2062, and by 90% to 31,800 in 2149 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
43.0% of women in Spain remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 40.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (40.9%), Spain’s current TCR is higher by about 2.1pp.
Globally, Spain ranks 11 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Spain has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 7/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.9% |
| 1980 | 9.6% | 2020 | 38.5% |
| 1990 | 33.0% | 2023 | 42.8% |
| 2000 | 35.3% | 2024 | 43.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Spain were 318,005 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 1,518 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 328,567 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (328,567), total births are now lower by 10,562 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 485.0k |
| 1980 | 570.1k | 2020 | 340.4k |
| 1990 | 400.9k | 2023 | 319.5k |
| 2000 | 396.5k | 2024 | 318.0k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Spain’s FWG is 59.9% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 57.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (57.2%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.7pp.
Globally, Spain has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 6/39). Within Europe, Spain has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 2/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.7% |
| 1980 | -25.1% | 2020 | 54.4% |
| 1990 | -28.8% | 2023 | 59.3% |
| 2000 | 19.6% | 2024 | 59.9% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
