Cyprus
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2023, Cyprus saw a slight increase in the total motherhood rate, reaching 71.5%, a small gain from the previous year and continuing its upward trend since the 1990s. Despite this, Cyprus still ranks lowest in motherhood rate and total fertility among European countries. The mean age at childbearing rose modestly, maintaining the country's position with the lowest maternal age in Europe.
- The total completed motherhood rate increased by 0.9 percentage points in 2023, now averaging 71.5%, marking a notable rise from the 1990s level of 64.0%.
- The cohort parity mean dipped slightly to 1.99 children per mother, continuing a gradual decline from the 1990s average of 2.69.
- Average maternal age edged up to 30.4 years, about 4.7 years higher than in the 1990s, yet remains the lowest in Europe.
- The total fertility gap remained stable at 31.2%, indicating rising childlessness compared to the 1990s, and the total childlessness rate dropped slightly to 28.5%.
In 2023, Cyprus had the lowest fertility and parental age metrics both globally and in Europe, with slight shifts from previous years.
- Lowest total fertility rate globally and in Europe
- Average maternal age lowest in Europe and worldwide
- Childlessness rate ranks lowest globally and in Europe
- Family sizes show rising one-child families, fewer three-plus children
- Societal half-life shortest worldwide, indicating rapid generational decline
Key fertility indicators — Cyprus
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 28.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility in Cyprus stands at 71.5% as of 2023, showing a slight increase of 0.9 percentage points from the previous year. The total motherhood rate has been on an upward trajectory over the last five years, with the average from 2019 to 2023 reaching 70.5%. This figure is approximately 7.5 percentage points higher than the average in the 1990s, which was 64.0%. In a global context, Cyprus currently records the lowest total motherhood rate, ranked 38th out of 38 countries. Similarly, among European nations, it holds the lowest position, ranked 31st out of 31.
| 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)
The number of children per mother in Cyprus stood at 1.99 in 2023, showing a slight decrease of 0.03 from 2022. Over the past five years, this figure has steadily declined, with an average CPM of 2.03. When compared to the average of the 1990s, which was 2.69, the current level is about 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 age at which women have children in Cyprus reached 30.4 years in 2023, showing a modest increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. This upward trend over the past five years has resulted in a five-year average of 30.3 years. Compared to the 1990s, when the average was 25.75 years, the maternal age has increased by 4.7 years. The lowest three-year average occurred between 1998 and 2000 at 25.88 years, while the highest three-year average, from 2021 to 2023, stands at 30.42 years.
| 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)
In 2023, Cyprus’s Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 31.2%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.42. This marks a very slight increase from 2022’s value of 30.9%. The trend over the last five years shows a gradual decline in childlessness, with the average from 2019 to 2023 at 31.0%. When compared to the 1990s average of 16.7%, the current level is higher by approximately 14.5 percentage points. Among all countries globally, Cyprus has the lowest TFG, ranking 38th out of 38. It also holds the lowest position within Europe, ranking 31st out of 31 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 2023 birth pattern suggests total births will decline significantly over the coming centuries. By 2083, the number of births is expected to drop by 50%, decreasing from 10,125 in 2023 to roughly 5,062. Looking further ahead, births would reduce by 90% to about 1,012 by 2223, assuming no migration influences these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2023, the childlessness rate (TCR) in Cyprus stands at 28.5%, representing a slight decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 2022. The trend over the last five years shows a decline, with the average from 2019 to 2023 at 29.5%. Compared to the 1990s average of 36.0%, this marks a reduction of roughly 7.5 percentage points. Notably, Cyprus currently holds the lowest childlessness rate both globally and within Europe, ranked 38 out of 38 worldwide and 31 out of 31 among European countries.
| 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 a total of 10,125 births, showing only a slight increase from the 10,119 births reported in 2022. The number of births has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with an average of 9,940 annually. When compared to the 1990s average of 8,685, the current birth figures represent an increase of 1,440 births, which equates to a 16.6% growth.
| 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, showing a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from 2022. Over the past five years (2019–2023), the BRI averaged 16.0%, reflecting a generally rising trend. When compared to the 1990s average of -8.7%, the current BRI is approximately 27.6 percentage points higher. Among global figures, Cyprus holds the lowest BRI value, ranking 35th out of 35. Similarly, within Europe, it ranks last at 30th out of 30 countries.
| 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.
