Denmark
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Denmark's total maternal rate decreased slightly to 64.9% in 2024, continuing a downward trend from recent years and marking a significant decline from the 1970s level. Meanwhile, the lifetime childlessness rate rose to 35.1%, reflecting a persistently high level compared to historical norms. The mean age at childbearing edged upward to 30.3 years, showing a steady increase over the past decades. Family size remains dominated by mothers with exactly two children, representing 60.0% of mothers in 2024.
- Total fertility gap (TFG) increased marginally to 29.2%, sustaining Denmark's position among countries with one of the lowest generational birth rates worldwide.
- Children per mother (CPM) slightly declined to 2.26, below the 1970s average but still above the European average for 2024.
- Despite a small decrease in total births to 57,064, the average maternal age has risen by 0.19 years since 2023, indicating later childbirth.
- The distribution of family size shows only 11.6% of mothers have exactly one child, while the majority have two, consistent with stable family size preferences.
In 2024, Denmark shows a moderate fertility rate with rising mean maternal age and persistent generational birth gaps.
- Total maternal rate slightly above global average, ranked 13th in Europe
- Children per mother stable but lower than 1970s levels, ranking 22nd in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing rising, now older than European average
- Generational birthgap one of Europe's lowest, ranking 26th
- Lifetime childlessness rising, among higher European rates
Key fertility indicators — Denmark
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.9% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.1% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 35 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, Denmark's total maternal rate (TMR) stands at 64.9%, showing a slight decrease of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. Over the past five years, the TMR has been on a downward trend, averaging 69.5% between 2020 and 2024. Compared with the 1970s average of 79.2%, the current rate is approximately 14.3 percentage points lower. On the global stage, Denmark holds the 13th position among 38 countries for this metric, and within Europe, it is also ranked 13th out of 31 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 77.7% | 2010 | 84.0% |
| 1980 | 71.5% | 2020 | 74.1% |
| 1990 | 75.7% | 2023 | 65.6% |
| 2000 | 77.0% | 2024 | 64.9% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Denmark's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.26 in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.02 from the previous year. The five-year average CPM has been steadily falling, currently at 2.28. When compared to the 1970s average of 2.33, the current figure is about 0.07 lower. Across the globe, Denmark holds the 28th position among 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 22nd out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.51 | 2010 | 2.23 |
| 1980 | 2.16 | 2020 | 2.26 |
| 1990 | 2.20 | 2023 | 2.28 |
| 2000 | 2.30 | 2024 | 2.26 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age in Denmark has reached 30.34 years, marking a slight increase of 0.19 years from 2023. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average maternal age rising to about 30.06 years during that period. Compared to the 1970s average of 24.07 years, the current figure is notably higher by over 6 years. Among 38 countries worldwide, Denmark stands at 18th in terms of average maternal age, while within Europe, it holds the 13th position out of 31 countries.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.84 | 2010 | 28.70 |
| 1980 | 24.60 | 2020 | 29.83 |
| 1990 | 26.35 | 2023 | 30.15 |
| 2000 | 27.70 | 2024 | 30.34 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) in Denmark reached 29.2% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.47. This represents a slight increase from 2023, where the figure stood at 27.7%, marking a rise of 1.5 percentage points. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trajectory, averaging 23.5% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1970s average of 11.0%, the current level is approximately 18.2 percentage points higher. Denmark has maintained a continuous generational birthgap since 1969. On a global scale, it ranks 32nd out of 38 countries for TFG levels, and within Europe, it is positioned 26th out of 31, indicating one of the region's lower TFG values.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5.8% | 2010 | 9.6% |
| 1980 | 25.3% | 2020 | 19.0% |
| 1990 | 19.5% | 2023 | 27.7% |
| 2000 | 14.6% | 2024 | 29.2% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Denmark’s SHL stands at 65.0 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 3.6 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 87.4 years. Compared with the 1970s average (359.5 years), SHL is now shorter by about 294.6 years.
Globally, Denmark has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 6/38).Within Europe, it has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 5/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Denmark, there would be 35 great-grandchildren, representing a -65.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Denmark has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 32/38). Within Europe, it has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 26/31).
Birth trajectory
The projected birth trajectory for Denmark shows a significant decline over the coming centuries. Starting from 57,064 births in 2024, the number is expected to decrease by 50% to 28,532 by the year 2089. Continuing this trend, births would be down by 75% in 2154 and then drop sharply to just 5,706 in 2240, marking a 90% reduction from 2024 figures. These projections assume no migration influences.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Denmark reached 35.1% in 2024, showing a modest increase of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has been on an upward trend, averaging 30.5%. This represents a significant rise compared to the 1970s average of 20.8%, marking an increase of approximately 14.3 percentage points. On the global stage, Denmark holds the 26th position out of 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 19th among 31 nations.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.3% | 2010 | 16.0% |
| 1980 | 28.5% | 2020 | 25.9% |
| 1990 | 24.3% | 2023 | 34.4% |
| 2000 | 23.0% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Denmark recorded 57,064 total births in 2024, a slight decline from 57,451 in 2023. Over the last five years, the number of births has been on a downward trend, averaging 59,464 annually. When compared to the 1970s average of 68,550, the current total births represent a reduction of 11,486 births, equating to a 16.8% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 70.8k | 2010 | 63.4k |
| 1980 | 57.3k | 2020 | 60.9k |
| 1990 | 63.4k | 2023 | 57.5k |
| 2000 | 67.0k | 2024 | 57.1k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, the Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Denmark stands at 26.8%. This marks a decrease of 2.5 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the past five years, the average BRI has been 23.8%, showing a generally rising trend. When compared to the 1970s average of -16.5%, the current figure is about 43.3 percentage points higher. Denmark’s BRI ranks among the lowest globally, positioned 29th out of 35 countries.
Within Europe, it also ranks low, coming in 26th out of 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -25.0% | 2010 | 13.3% |
| 1980 | -7.5% | 2020 | 19.4% |
| 1990 | -7.3% | 2023 | 29.3% |
| 2000 | 9.1% | 2024 | 26.8% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
