Turkey
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Turkey saw a modest rise in the Total Motherhood Rate (TMR) to 0.62 in 2024, up 2.4 percentage points from 2023, indicating a slight increase in childbearing overall. However, the average children per mother (CPM) fell notably to 2.38, continuing a longer-term decline despite Turkey maintaining one of Europe's highest CPM figures. The average maternal age also increased slightly to 27.3 years, remaining low compared to other countries.
- The Total Fertility Gap (TFG) widened to 28.6%, reflecting a fertility rate substantially below replacement level and marking an upward trend in unmet fertility potential over recent years.
- Lifetime childlessness decreased to 38.0%, reversing a previous increase and suggesting more women are becoming mothers, though the rate remains high by global standards.
- Average years of schooling for mothers measured 60.2 years (likely a cohort or composite measure), while the share of mothers with three or more children is 38.2%, with two-child mothers at 34.2%, showing a balanced…
In 2024, Turkey shows stable completed fertility and high children per mother, yet a declining number of total births and a rising age at childbearing.
- Completed fertility stable near long-run level (62%)
- Highest children per mother in Europe (ranked 1/30)
- Relatively low maternal age in Europe (ranked 29/30)
- Rising lifetime childlessness, moderate European ranking (11/30)
- Low future worker gap within Europe (ranked 28/29)
Key fertility indicators — Turkey
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 28.6% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 60.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 36 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Turkey, completed fertility is 62.0% (2024). It has risen compared with 2023 (up 2.4pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been broadly stable with an average of 62.5%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 62.5%), mothers are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Turkey ranks 28 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Turkey ranks 21 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 64.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 59.6%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 62.0% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Turkey had an average of 2.38 children. It dropped sharply from 2023 (down 0.29). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.61). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.61), today’s CPM is lower by about 0.22.
Globally, Turkey has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 5/42). Within Europe, Turkey has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 4/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.69 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.67* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.38 |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
Turkey’s mean age at childbearing is 27.3 in 2024. It has risen by 0.3 years compared with the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 26.8 years). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (26.8 years), today’s AMA is higher by about 0.4 years.
Globally, Turkey has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 41/42). Within Europe, Turkey has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 29/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.52 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 26.92* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 27.26 |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 28.6% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.48). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 1.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 22.2%. Looking back to the 2020s (22.2%), the gap is now higher by about 6.4pp.
Globally, Turkey has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 38/42). Within Europe, Turkey has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 27/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 15.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.1%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 28.6% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Turkey stands at 18.8% in 2024. It rose sharply compared with 2023 (up 5.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 3.0%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 3.0%), the FWG stands higher by about 15.8pp.
Globally, Turkey has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 37/39). Within Europe, Turkey has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 28/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -11.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 13.0%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 18.8% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Turkey’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 60.2 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.4 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 84.5 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (84.5 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 24.3 years.
Globally, Turkey ranks 14 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Turkey ranks 11 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Turkey, there would be 36 great-grandchildren, representing a -64.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Turkey has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 6/42).
Within Europe, Turkey has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 5/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2084 - Births down 75% in 2144 - Births down 90% in 2224
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 937,559 in 2024 to 468,780 in 2084, and by 90% to 93,756 in 2224 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Turkey’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 38.0% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 2.4pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been broadly stable with an average of 37.5%. Looking back to the 2020s (37.5%), childlessness is now close to that long-run level.
Globally, Turkey ranks 16 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Turkey ranks 11 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 40.4%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 38.0% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Total births
Total births in Turkey were 937,559 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 24,007 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 1,022,719 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (1,022,719), total births are now lower by 85,160 births (8.3% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.10M |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 961.6k* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 937.6k |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Turkey stands at 18.8% in 2024. It rose sharply compared with 2023 (up 5.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been rising with an average of 3.0%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 3.0%), the FWG stands higher by about 15.8pp.
Globally, Turkey has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 37/39). Within Europe, Turkey has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 28/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -11.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 13.0%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 18.8% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
