European Union
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
The the EU continues to experience a notable decline in its total maternal rate, dropping to 66.5% in 2023, the lowest globally, marking a steady downward trend over the last decade. Concurrently, the lifetime childlessness rate has increased to 33.5%, reflecting a broader demographic shift toward fewer births and smaller family sizes across member states.
- Total fertility rate (CPM) remains stable at 2.10, aligning with long-term averages despite declining maternal rates.
- Average maternal age at birth has risen moderately to 30.3 years, though it remains the lowest globally, indicating a slight delay in childbearing.
- The proportion of women who remain childless is increasing, up by 2.9 percentage points since 2022 and significantly above 2010s levels.
- Family size patterns show a gradual rise in one-child motherhood to 24.2%, with two-child families slightly decreasing, signaling a shift toward smaller households.
In 2023, the European Union experienced its lowest total maternal rate and youngest average maternal age globally, continuing recent downward trends and demographic shifts.
- Lowest total maternal rate worldwide, ranked last among 38 regions
- Average maternal age remains lowest globally, near 30.3 years
- Rising childlessness and Birthgap generational indicator rates
- Family size stable with slight rise in one-child mothers
- Shortest societal half-life globally, decreasing over last five years
Key fertility indicators — The The European Union
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 66.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 33.5% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.3 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 32.4% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 57.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 31 |
| Total births (latest year) | 3,698,076 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in the the EU stands at 66.5% for 2023, reflecting a decrease of 2.9 percentage points from 2022. This decline continues a downward trend observed over the past five years, with an average TMR of 69.9% between 2019 and 2023. When compared to the 2010s average of 73.2%, the current rate is approximately 6.7 percentage points lower. Among all countries globally, the the EU records the lowest TMR, ranking 38th out of 38.
No data found for country code xxx.
Children per mother (CPM)
The number of children per mother (CPM) in the the EU stood at 2.10 in 2023, showing little change compared to 2022. Over the past five years, this figure has remained quite steady, averaging 2.12. Currently, the CPM is nearly identical to the 2010s baseline of 2.10, indicating a consistent long-term trend.
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Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth stands at 30.3 years in 2023, showing little change from the year before. Looking back over the last five years, AMA has experienced an upward trend, averaging 30.1 years during that period. Compared with the 2010s average, this figure is 0.8 years higher. Among all regions worldwide, the the EU holds the distinction of having the lowest average maternal age, ranking 38 out of 38.
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Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
By 2023, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 32.4%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.40, marking a 3.0 percentage point increase from 2022. Over the five years spanning 2019 to 2023, the TCR showed an upward trend with an average of 28.4%. When compared to the 2010s baseline of 25.6%, this rate reflects an increase of approximately 6.8 percentage points. On a global scale, the the EU holds the lowest TFG value, ranking 38th out of 38.
No data found for country code xxx.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2023, the EU’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 57.2 years. It has decreased by 6.9 years compared with 2022. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 67.1 years. Compared with the 2010s average (73.7 years), SHL is now shorter by about 16.5 years.
Globally, the EU has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in the EU, there would be 31 great-grandchildren, representing a -69.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, the EU has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38).
Birth trajectory
Starting from 2023, the number of births is projected to decline significantly under current patterns. By 2080, births are expected to decrease by 50%, dropping from 3,698,076 to 1,849,038. Further reductions will continue, with a 75% decrease anticipated by 2137 and a 90% decline reaching 369,808 births by 2213, assuming no migration influences these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in the the EU reached 33.5% in 2023, marking an increase of 2.9 percentage points from 2022. Over the five-year span from 2019 to 2023, the TCR has shown an upward trend, averaging 30.1%. Compared to the decade of the 2010s, when the average was 26.8%, the rate today is approximately 6.7 percentage points higher. Among countries globally, the the EU holds the distinction of having the lowest childlessness rate, ranked 38th out of 38.
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Total births
The the EU saw 3,698,076 births in 2023, a decrease of 169,743 from the previous year. Total births have generally declined over the last five years, with an average annual count of 3,978,081. When compared to the average yearly births during the 2010s, which stood at 4,298,558, the current figure represents a drop of 600,482 births, equating to a 14.0% decrease.
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Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for the the EU stood at 41.7% in 2023, marking an increase of 2.1 percentage points from 2022. Over the last five years from 2019 to 2023, the BRI has shown a steady upward trend, averaging 38.4%. This is notably higher than the average during the 2010s, which was 34.3%, reflecting a rise of approximately 7.4 percentage points. Despite this growth, the the EU holds the lowest BRI value globally, ranking 35th out of 35.
No data found for country code xxx.