Finland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Finland's total childlessness rate edged slightly higher to 44.9% in 2024, continuing a rising trend over recent years and placing it among the European countries with the highest proportions of women without children. Despite this, the completed fertility grade remains low but stable, reflecting ongoing demographic challenges. The country also experiences a slow decline in the average years of life lived by mothers and a marginal increase in average maternal age smoothing into the new year.
- Total births increased marginally to 43,655 in 2024, reflecting relative stability in recent fertility numbers.
- Completed fertility ratio was nearly unchanged at 0.551, close to the previous year's level, indicating persistent low fertility.
- The share of mothers with three or more children decreased slightly by 0.3 percentage points, reinforcing the trend toward smaller family sizes.
- Average maternal age rose modestly to 30.0 years, continuing a multi-decade rise reflecting later childbearing.
In 2024, Finland shows stable birth patterns but a continued decline in completed fertility and a rising childlessness rate compared to historical levels.
- Completed fertility low at 55.1%, ranking 27th in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing steady at 30 years, mid-European ranking
- Childlessness rate high at 44.9%, 5th highest in Europe
- One and two-child families rising; three-plus families declining
- Total births down 31% from 1980s, projected to halve by 2068
Key fertility indicators — Finland
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 44.9% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 44.0 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 22 |
| Total births (latest year) | 43,655 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Finland stood at 55.1% in 2024, showing only a slight decrease from 55.4% in 2023. The total motherhood rate has been declining over the past five years (2020–2024), averaging 57.8%. This is notably lower than the average of 67.6% seen in the 1980s, down by approximately 12.5 percentage points. Finland ranks 31st out of 38 countries globally in terms of this metric, and within Europe, it holds one of the lowest positions, ranked 27th out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 78.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 58.3% |
| 1990 | 73.1% | 2023 | 55.4% |
| 2000 | 71.2% | 2024 | 55.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Finland's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.27 in 2024, showing almost no change from the 2023 figure of 2.268. Over the past five years, the CPM has been declining, with a five-year average of 2.30. Compared to the 1980s average of 2.47, the current CPM is roughly 0.20 lower. On a global scale, the country ranks 29th out of 38, while within Europe, it holds the 23rd position out of 31 nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.39 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.35 |
| 1990 | 2.44 | 2023 | 2.27 |
| 2000 | 2.43 | 2024 | 2.27 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average age of mothers at childbirth in Finland reached 30.02 years in 2024, showing a slight increase from 29.96 in 2023. This upward trend has persisted over the last five years, with the average mother being 29.82 years old during this period. Compared to the 1980s, the mean maternal age is now about 4.0 years older. Among 38 countries worldwide, Finland holds the 20th position, and within Europe, it is ranked 15th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.29 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.46 |
| 1990 | 26.47 | 2023 | 29.96 |
| 2000 | 27.40 | 2024 | 30.02 |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, Finland's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 39.6%, matching a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.25. This figure remains almost the same as in 2023, showing minimal change. Over the last five years from 2020 to 2024, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 35.7%. Compared to the 1980s average of 19.2%, the current value is roughly 20.4 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Finland is placed 13th among 38 countries, while within Europe it holds the 8th position out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 9.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.8% |
| 1990 | 13.9% | 2023 | 39.3% |
| 2000 | 16.5% | 2024 | 39.6% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Finland’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 44.0 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 50.6 years. Compared with the 1980s average (92.3 years), SHL is now shorter by about 48.3 years.
Globally, Finland ranks 28 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 24 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Finland, there would be 22 great-grandchildren, representing a -78.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Finland ranks 13 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 8 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
According to birth patterns observed in 2024, the total number of births is expected to decrease significantly over time if migration is not considered. Starting from 43,655 births in 2024, the figure is projected to drop by 50% to 21,828 by 2068. This downward trend continues, with births anticipated to decline by 75% by 2112, and ultimately fall by 90% to just 4,366 in 2170.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Finland's childlessness rate (TCR) reached 44.9%, showing minimal change from 44.6% in 2023. Over the last five years, this rate has been on an upward trend, averaging 42.2% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1980s average of 32.4%, the current figure is about 12.5 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries globally, Finland stands at 8th place.
Within Europe, it ranks 5th out of 31 countries for the highest childlessness rates.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 21.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 41.7% |
| 1990 | 26.9% | 2023 | 44.6% |
| 2000 | 28.8% | 2024 | 44.9% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Finland saw 43,655 total births in 2024, marking a slight increase of 311 from the previous year’s 43,344. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 45,603 annually. When compared to the 1980s, which averaged 63,503 births, current totals are significantly lower by 19,848 births, reflecting a 31.3% decline.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 61.0k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 46.5k |
| 1990 | 65.5k | 2023 | 43.3k |
| 2000 | 56.7k | 2024 | 43.7k |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Finland stands at 27.1% in 2024, reflecting a decrease of 2.3 percentage points from the previous year. Over the latest five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has shown a downward trend, averaging 27.8%. When compared to the 1980s average of -18.0%, the current BRI is approximately 45.1 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Finland is positioned 28th among 35 countries, while within Europe it ranks near the lower end at 25th out of 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 18.5% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.0% |
| 1990 | -9.2% | 2023 | 29.5% |
| 2000 | 34.0% | 2024 | 27.1% |
Source: Human Fertility Database.
