Switzerland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
The total maternal rate in Switzerland has fallen slightly in 2024 to 64.3%, continuing a longer-term decline evident over the past five years. Meanwhile, the average maternal age has increased to 31.8 years, placing the country among those with the highest maternal ages globally. The total fertility gap also widened, indicating fewer births than the population replacement level.
- Average number of children per mother remains stable at around 2.00, consistent with recent years.
- Total fertility gap increased by 2 percentage points to 37.7%, signalling deeper fertility shortfall relative to replacement levels.
- Childlessness among women edged up to 35.7%, continuing a gradual rise over the past five years.
- Switzerland ranks in the mid to upper tier globally for maternal age and fertility shortfall but lower in terms of total children per mother.
In 2024, Switzerland's maternal and fertility patterns reveal modest declines in birth rates with rising maternal age and persistent fertility gaps.
- Average children per mother steady at 2.00, ranking 22nd in Europe
- Maternal age at birth increased to 31.8 years, among Europe's highest (4th)
- Total Fertility Gap elevated at 37.7%, 10th highest in Europe
- Childlessness rising to 35.7%, ranked 16th in Europe
- Societal Half-Life declined sharply to 49.5 years, 20th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Switzerland
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.3% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.8 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 37.7% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 24 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 64.3%. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.6pp). Looking at the last five years, TMR has been falling (average 68.7% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 68.7%), mothers are now having lower by about 4.4pp children on average.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 15 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 13 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 76.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 71.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 65.9% |
| 2000 | 73.1% | 2024 | 64.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Switzerland had an average of 2.00 children. There is little change since 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been broadly stable (five-year average 2.03). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.03), today’s CPM is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 32 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 22 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.00 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.04 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.02 |
| 2000 | 2.05 | 2024 | 2.00 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 31.8 years. It has risen by 0.5 years compared with the previous year. Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 31.3 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.3 years), today’s AMA is higher by about 0.5 years.
Globally, Switzerland has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 5/42). Within Europe, Switzerland has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 4/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.99 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.09 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.31 |
| 2000 | 28.43 | 2024 | 31.82 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Switzerland’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 37.7% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.29). It is higher than in 2023 (up 2.0pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 32.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.5%), today’s TFG is higher by about 5.2pp.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 15 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 10 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 35.7% |
| 2000 | 27.7% | 2024 | 37.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Switzerland’s FWG is 35.1% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 33.4% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (33.4%), today’s FWG is higher by about 1.7pp.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 22 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 16 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 34.8% |
| 2000 | 20.5% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Switzerland’s SHL stands at 49.5 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 2.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 59.9 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (59.9 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 10.4 years.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 27 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 20 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Switzerland, there would be 24 great-grandchildren, representing a -76.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 28 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 21 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2074 - Births down 75% in 2123 - Births down 90% in 2188
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 78,256 in 2024 to 39,128 in 2074, and by 90% to 7,826 in 2188 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
35.7% of women in Switzerland remain childless over their lifetime (2024). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 31.3%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (31.3%), today’s level is higher by about 4.4pp.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 26 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 16 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 23.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 34.1% |
| 2000 | 26.9% | 2024 | 35.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Switzerland were 78,256 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 1,706 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 83,206 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (83,206), total births are now lower by 4,950 births (5.9% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 80.3k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 85.9k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 80.0k |
| 2000 | 78.5k | 2024 | 78.3k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Switzerland’s FWG is 35.1% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 33.4% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (33.4%), today’s FWG is higher by about 1.7pp.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 22 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Switzerland ranks 16 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 34.8% |
| 2000 | 20.5% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
