Cyprus
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2023, Cyprus continued to show one of the lowest fertility levels globally, with small shifts in fertility rates indicating a slow but steady demographic pattern. The total mean reproduction rate slightly increased, while the total childlessness rate and completed parity mean both edged down, reflecting subtle equilibrium rather than sharp changes in family size dynamics.
- The total mean reproduction rate rose modestly to 0.715 in 2023, up by 0.009 from 2022, marking a gradual upward trend over recent years.
- Childlessness declined a bit, with the total childlessness rate falling to 28.5%, indicating a slight increase in mothers having children.
- Average maternal age increased marginally to 30.45 years, continuing a long-term trend towards later childbearing in Cyprus.
- The total fertility gap remained low at 31.2%, suggesting persistent patterns of lower fertility compared to the 1990s averages.
In 2023, Cyprus showed rising births and maternal age but ranks lowest in fertility and family growth indicators in Europe and globally.
- Lowest total fertility rate in Europe and globally
- Mean age at childbearing is the lowest in Europe and globally
- Childlessness rate is the lowest in Europe and globally
- Total births have increased compared to the 1990s average
- Societal half-life is shortest worldwide, signaling rapid generational decline
Key fertility indicators — Cyprus
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 28.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Cyprus reached 71.5% in 2023, showing a slight increase of 0.9 percentage points from the previous year. The total motherhood prevalence rate has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with the average from 2019 to 2023 standing at 70.5%. This current figure is about 7.5 percentage points higher than the average recorded in the 1990s, which was 64.0%. On a global scale, Cyprus ranks last in motherhood prevalence, holding the 38th position out of 38 countries. Within the European context, it similarly occupies the lowest rank at 31 out of 31 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 68.0% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 72.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 70.6% |
| 2000 | 62.2% | 2023 | 71.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2023, the average number of children per mother in Cyprus stands at 1.99, showing a slight decrease of 0.03 from the previous year. Over the past five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, with the average across that period being 2.03. When compared to the average from the 1990s, which was 2.69, the current value is nearly 0.70 lower.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.15 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.99 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 2.03 |
| 2000 | 2.59 | 2023 | 1.99 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Cyprus reached 30.45 years in 2023, marking a small increase of 0.2 years from 2022. This upward trend continued over the last five years, with the average settling at approximately 30.3 years. This figure represents a rise of 4.7 years compared to the average maternal age during the 1990s. Despite this growth, Cyprus maintains the lowest average maternal age both globally, ranked 38th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, holding the 31st position among 31 countries.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.39 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.18 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 30.25 |
| 2000 | 26.14 | 2023 | 30.45 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Cyprus reached 31.2% in 2023, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.42. This figure has shown minimal change from 2022, with an increase of just 0.3 percentage points. Childlessness has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with the average from 2019 to 2023 standing at 31.0%. Compared to the 1990s average of 16.7%, the current level is approximately 14.5 percentage points higher. In a global context, Cyprus holds the lowest TFG among 38 countries, and similarly, it ranks lowest among 31 European countries.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 30.9% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | 2023 | 31.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Cyprus’s SHL stands at 60.2 years years in 2023. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 60.6 years. Compared with the 1990s average (107.2 years), SHL is now shorter by about 47.0 years.
Globally, Cyprus has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).Within Europe, Cyprus has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Cyprus, there would be 33 great-grandchildren, representing a -67.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Cyprus has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Cyprus has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
The birth trajectory in Cyprus shows a significant decrease over the coming centuries. Starting from 10,125 births recorded in 2023, projections indicate that by 2083, the number will have dropped by half to 5,062. Continuing this downward trend, births are expected to decline by 75% around 2143. Looking further ahead to 2223, the total number of births could fall by as much as 90%, reaching approximately 1,012, assuming migration patterns remain unchanged.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2023, the childlessness rate (TCR) in Cyprus stands at 28.5%, showing a slight decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 2022. The trend over the last five years reveals a gradual decline, with the 2019–2023 average at 29.5%. When compared to the 1990s average of 36.0%, this represents a reduction of approximately 7.5 percentage points. Among countries worldwide, Cyprus has the lowest childlessness rate, ranking 38th out of 38.
Within Europe, it also holds the lowest position at 31st out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.0% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 29.4% |
| 2000 | 37.8% | 2023 | 28.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2023, Cyprus recorded 10,125 total births, showing a slight increase of 6 from the previous year’s 10,119. Looking at the last five years, the number of births has been on an upward trend, with an average of 9,940 annually. When compared to the 1990s average of 8,685 births, the recent figure represents an increase of 1,440 births, which corresponds to a 16.6% rise.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 9,735 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 9,800 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 10.1k |
| 2000 | 8,241 | 2023 | 10.1k |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Cyprus reached 18.9% in 2023, marking a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years (2019–2023), the average BRI stood at 16.0%, showing some fluctuation compared to earlier periods. This figure is substantially higher—by about 27.6 percentage points—than the average BRI of -8.7% recorded during the 1990s. On a global scale, Cyprus holds the lowest BRI value among 35 countries, ranking 35th, and it similarly ranks last (30th) within Europe.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 13.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2022 | 17.4% |
| 2000 | 0.7% | 2023 | 18.9% |
Source: Eurostat.
