Sweden
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Sweden's demographic indicators show a continued subtle shift in fertility patterns in 2024. Notably, the total fertility gap has increased slightly to about 30.8%, reflecting a growing gap between actual and replacement fertility levels. Meanwhile, completed fertility among mothers has dipped somewhat, and the proportion of childless women is edging higher, consistent with ongoing trends over recent years.
- Total fertility gap rose by 1.0 percentage point in 2024, now at 30.8%, indicating increasing below-replacement fertility.
- Completed fertility among mothers fell slightly to 64.2%, continuing a gradual decline observed over the last five years.
- The average maternal age increased modestly to 30.2 years, maintaining a rising trend over recent years.
- Childlessness rose to 35.8% in 2024, up 0.8 percentage points, reflecting longer-term patterns towards later or forgone childbearing.
In 2024, Sweden's fertility patterns show subtle declines with moderate family sizes and rising maternal age.
- Total fertility rate ranks mid-range globally (17/39) and in Europe (16/30)
- Average children per mother steady around 2.23, ranking 13th worldwide
- Mean maternal age rising slightly, placing Sweden 18th globally
- Childlessness increasing to near 36%, mid-level ranking in Europe
- Family sizes dominated by two-child mothers, stable over five years
Key fertility indicators — Sweden
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 30.8% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 60.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Sweden, completed fertility is 64.2% (2024). There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 0.8pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 67.6% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (67.6%), TMR stands lower by about 3.4pp.
Globally, Sweden ranks 18 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 16 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 80.6% | 2010 | 88.8% |
| 1980 | 71.5% | 2020 | 71.7% |
| 1990 | 89.7% | 2023 | 65.0% |
| 2000 | 69.6% | 2024 | 64.2% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Sweden is 2.23 (2024). There is little change since 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.29). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.29), today’s CPM is lower by about 0.06.
Globally, Sweden ranks 15 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 12 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.38 | 2010 | 2.24 |
| 1980 | 2.35 | 2020 | 2.33 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 2023 | 2.23 |
| 2000 | 2.24 | 2024 | 2.23 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Sweden’s mean age at childbearing is 30.2 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 29.9 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 29.9 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Sweden ranks 19 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 13 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.22 | 2010 | 28.91 |
| 1980 | 25.22 | 2020 | 29.66 |
| 1990 | 26.27 | 2023 | 30.02 |
| 2000 | 27.87 | 2024 | 30.19 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 30.8% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.43). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.0pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 25.1%. Looking back to the 2020s (25.1%), the gap is now higher by about 5.7pp.
Globally, Sweden ranks 29 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 20 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 7.3% | 2010 | 4.0% |
| 1980 | 18.8% | 2020 | 19.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.8% |
| 2000 | 24.7% | 2024 | 30.8% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Sweden’s FWG is 26.1% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 19.6%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 19.6%), the FWG stands higher by about 6.5pp.
Globally, Sweden ranks 32 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Sweden has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 26/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -10.1% | 2010 | 1.1% |
| 1980 | -8.9% | 2020 | 11.7% |
| 1990 | -26.2% | 2023 | 26.0% |
| 2000 | 27.6% | 2024 | 26.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Sweden’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 60.7 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 2.1 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 80.2 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (80.2 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 19.6 years.
Globally, Sweden ranks 13 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 10 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Sweden, there would be 33 great-grandchildren, representing a -67.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Sweden ranks 15 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Sweden ranks 12 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2085 - Births down 75% in 2145 - Births down 90% in 2225
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 98,401 in 2024 to 49,200 in 2085, and by 90% to 9,840 in 2225 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
35.8% of women in Sweden remain childless over their lifetime (2024). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 0.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 32.4%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.4%), today’s level is higher by about 3.4pp.
Globally, Sweden ranks 25 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Sweden ranks 15 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 19.4% | 2010 | 11.2% |
| 1980 | 28.5% | 2020 | 28.3% |
| 1990 | 10.3% | 2023 | 35.0% |
| 2000 | 30.4% | 2024 | 35.8% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Sweden were 98,401 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 1,604 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 106,076 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (106,076), total births are now lower by 7,675 births (7.2% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 110.2k | 2010 | 115.7k |
| 1980 | 97.2k | 2020 | 113.0k |
| 1990 | 124.5k | 2023 | 100.0k |
| 2000 | 91.3k | 2024 | 98.4k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Sweden’s FWG is 26.1% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, FWG has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 19.6%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 19.6%), the FWG stands higher by about 6.5pp.
Globally, Sweden ranks 32 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Sweden has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 26/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -10.1% | 2010 | 1.1% |
| 1980 | -8.9% | 2020 | 11.7% |
| 1990 | -26.2% | 2023 | 26.0% |
| 2000 | 27.6% | 2024 | 26.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
