Ukraine
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Ukraine experienced a notable decline in completed fertility from 65.5% in 2020 to 63.4% in 2021, continuing a downward trend over recent years. Meanwhile, the proportion of women remaining childless has increased to 36.6%, suggesting shifting reproductive behaviors amid broader demographic changes. The average maternal age inched up slightly to 25.7 years, reflecting stability in motherhood timing.
- Total births dropped from 293,457 in 2020 to 273,772 in 2021, a decrease of nearly 20,000.
- The total fertility gap rose to 44.0%, signaling an increasing difference between actual and replacement-level fertility.
- Children per mother remained nearly stable at about 1.83, consistent with a long-term level around 1.84 children.
- Despite fewer births, childlessness increased by 2.1 percentage points, highlighting a growing share of women who do not have children.
In 2021, Ukraine's fertility trends showed slight declines in births and a rising fertility gap amid stable maternal age.
- Average children per mother near long-term level (1.83)
- Completed fertility declining, around 63%
- Rising childlessness at 37% of women
- Sharp drop in stable household level to 33 years
- Total births falling, projected halving by 2054
Key fertility indicators — Ukraine
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 25.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 18 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Among mothers in Ukraine, completed fertility is 63.4% (2021). It declined relative to 2020 (down 2.1pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2017–2021 average is 64.5%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 64.5%), mothers are now having lower by about 1.1pp children on average. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 104.3% | 2010 | 72.9% |
| 1980 | 102.6% | 2020 | 65.5%* |
| 1990 | 99.3% | 2021 | 63.4%* |
| 2000 | 66.5% |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2021, mothers in Ukraine had an average of 1.92 children. There has been a modest increase since 2020 (up 0.05). Over the past five years, CPM has been broadly stable, averaging 1.89. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.89), mothers in Ukraine are now having close to that long-run level children on average. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.02 | 2010 | 1.96 |
| 1980 | 1.89 | 2020 | 1.87* |
| 1990 | 1.86 | 2021 | 1.92* |
| 2000 | 1.68 |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2021, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 25.7 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been broadly stable, averaging 25.6 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (25.6 years), today’s AMA is close to that long-run level. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.58 | 2010 | 24.37 |
| 1980 | 22.80 | 2020 | 25.53* |
| 1990 | 22.34 | 2021 | 25.71* |
| 2000 | 22.89 |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2021, Ukraine’s TFG is 44.0% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.16). It has risen compared with 2020 (up 2.8pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising; the 2017–2021 average is 42.6%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (42.6%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 1.4pp. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.0% |
| 1980 | 6.4% | 2020 | 41.2%* |
| 1990 | 10.8% | 2021 | 44.0%* |
| 2000 | 46.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Ukraine: Future Worker Gap (FWG) data not available.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -63.2% | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | 2.5% | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | 19.5% | 2021 | n/a |
| 2000 | 47.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2021, SHL in Ukraine is 33.2 years. It moved sharply down from 2020 (down 2.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2017–2021 average is 34.5 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (34.5 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 1.4 years. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Ukraine, there would be 18 great-grandchildren, representing a -82.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2057 - Births down 75% in 2090 - Births down 90% in 2134
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 257,134 in 2024 to 128,567 in 2057, and by 90% to 25,713 in 2134 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
36.6% of women in Ukraine remain childless over their lifetime (2021). It has risen compared with 2020 (up 2.1pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2017–2021), childlessness has been rising with an average of 35.5%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (35.5%), today’s level is higher by about 1.1pp. Globally ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set. Within Europe ranking is not available because the country is outside the current rankable comparison set.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -4.3% | 2010 | 27.1% |
| 1980 | -2.6% | 2020 | 34.5%* |
| 1990 | 0.7% | 2021 | 36.6%* |
| 2000 | 33.5% |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Total births
Total births in Ukraine were 257,134 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 5,430 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 271,007 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (271,007), total births are now lower by 13,873 births (5.1% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 719.1k | 2010 | 497.5k |
| 1980 | 742.4k | 2020 | 293.5k* |
| 1990 | 657.1k | 2021 | 273.8k* |
| 2000 | 385.0k |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Derzhstat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
Ukraine: Future Worker Gap (FWG) data not available.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -63.2% | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | 2.5% | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | 19.5% | 2021 | n/a |
| 2000 | 47.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
