Denmark
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Denmark's total maternal rate has declined slightly to 64.9% in 2024, continuing a downward trend from the past five years and marking a notable drop from the 1970s. Meanwhile, the country's lifetime childlessness rate edged up to 35.1%, reflecting a gradual increase over recent years. The mean age at childbirth continues to rise modestly, now averaging 30.3 years, maintaining its position well above the levels observed in previous decades.
- The total fertility gap is low at 29.2%, one of the smallest in Europe, though it has increased slightly since 2023.
- Completed parity among mothers shows a strong preference for two children, with 60% having exactly two offspring in 2024.
- Average children per mother stands at 2.26, slightly below the 1970s norm, demonstrating a persistent shift toward smaller family sizes.
- The total birth count decreased slightly by 387 births compared to 2023, continuing a subtle downward pattern in absolute births.
In 2024, Denmark shows a moderately high maternal rate with a slightly declining trend, alongside one of Europe's oldest average childbearing ages.
- Total maternal rate ranks 13th in Europe, slightly above European average
- Mean age at childbearing among highest in Europe, over 6 years above 1970s
- Total fertility gap ranks low, indicating notable generational population decline
- Lifetime childlessness increasing, ranking in the lower third of European countries
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)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in Denmark stands at 64.9% for 2024, showing a slight decline of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TMR has gradually decreased, averaging 69.5% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 79.2%, the current rate is approximately 14.3 percentage points lower. Denmark holds the 13th position among 38 countries worldwide and similarly ranks 13th among 31 European nations in this metric.
| 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)
The number of children per mother in Denmark reached 2.26 in 2024, marking a slight decline of 0.02 from the previous year. During the last five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, averaging 2.28 children per mother. When compared to the average from the 1970s, which stood at 2.33, the current rate is lower by approximately 0.07. These figures place Denmark 28th out of 38 countries globally and 22nd among 31 European nations in terms of children per mother.
| 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)
The average maternal age in Denmark reached 30.3 years in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with a five-year average of 30.1 years. Compared to the 1970s, the average maternal age is now 6.3 years older. Among 38 countries worldwide, Denmark holds the 18th position, while within Europe, it ranks 13th out of 31.
| 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)
In 2024, Denmark's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 29.2%, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.47. This marks a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year, 2023. Over the past five years, the indicator has shown an upward trend, averaging 23.5% during the period 2020–2024. Compared to the 1970s average of 11.0%, the current level is higher by approximately 18.2 percentage points. Denmark has maintained a continuous Generational Birthgap since 1969. On the global scale, Denmark's TFG ranks 32nd out of 38 countries and within Europe, it holds the 26th position out of 31, indicating one of the lower TFG levels both worldwide and regionally.
| 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
According to the birth trend in 2024, total births are projected to drop significantly, decreasing from 57,064 that year to 28,532 by 2089, marking a 50% reduction. This downward pattern continues, with births expected to decline by 75% by 2154. By 2240, the number of births could fall by 90% to just 5,706, assuming no migration influences these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Denmark stands at 35.1%, showing a modest increase of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. The TCR has exhibited an upward trend over the past five years (2020–2024), averaging 30.5%. When compared to the average from the 1970s, which was 20.8%, the current rate is approximately 14.3 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Denmark is positioned 26th among 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 19th out of 31.
| 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 saw 57,064 total births in 2024, showing a slight decline of 387 from the previous year, 2023. Over the last five years, there has been a downward trend in births, with the annual average at 59,464. When compared to the 1970s average of 68,550, the current total represents a decrease of 11,486 births, or 16.8% fewer.
| 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)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Denmark stands at 26.8% in 2024, showing a decrease of 2.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the period from 2020 to 2024, the five-year average BRI is 23.8%, reflecting a recent rise compared to earlier years. Compared to the 1970s baseline of -16.5%, the current BRI is approximately 43.3 percentage points higher. Internationally, Denmark is positioned towards the lower end among 35 countries, ranking 29th, and within Europe, it holds the 26th spot out of 30 countries in terms of BRI values.
| 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.
