Finland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Finland's demographic indicators for 2024 reveal stability with slight shifts in key fertility and family patterns. The total completed fertility rate has decreased marginally compared to the previous year, maintaining a position among the lower fertility countries globally and within Europe. Childlessness remains notably high and stable, reflecting long-term social trends.
- Total completed fertility rate dipped slightly to 0.551, ranking Finland 31st out of 38 countries globally, and 27th in Europe, continuing a downward trend from the 1980s.
- The proportion of childless individuals increased marginally to 44.9%, placing Finland 8th highest worldwide and 5th within Europe, a factor contributing to fewer births overall.
- Average maternal age rose very slightly to 30.0 years, consistent with a gradual increase over five years and about 4 years older than the 1980s average.
- The total fertility growth rate shows a minor increase to 39.6%, well above the 1980s baseline, indicating shifts in fertility timing or family size preferences.
In 2024, Finland shows low and declining fertility with aging mothers and high childlessness relative to European averages.
- Low completed fertility rates, ranked near bottom in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing rising, above European norm
- Childlessness among highest in Europe
- Declining births forecasted to drop sharply by 2170
- Family size shifting towards fewer children, more one-child mothers
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)
In Finland, the total motherhood prevalence rate stands at 55.1% for 2024, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year's 55.4%. Looking at the period from 2020 to 2024, this rate has been gradually declining, averaging 57.8% over those five years. When compared to the 1980s, which averaged 67.6%, the current TMR is approximately 12.5 percentage points lower. On a global scale, Finland is positioned 31st out of 38 countries in this measure.
Within Europe, it ranks 27th out of 31 countries, placing it among the nations with the lowest motherhood prevalence rates.
| 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)
The children per mother (CPM) measure in Finland stands at 2.27 for 2024, showing virtually no change from the 2.268 recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, the CPM has exhibited a downward trend, with an average of 2.30 during that period. When compared to the 1980s average of 2.47, the current figure is roughly 0.20 lower. Finland's CPM places it at 29th out of 38 countries worldwide and 23rd out of 31 within Europe.
| 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 maternal age in Finland has reached 30.0 years in 2024, showing little change compared to 2023. Across the last five years, there has been a steady increase, with the average maternal age rising to about 29.8 years. This reflects a rise of 4.0 years relative to the average in the 1980s. Among a group of 38 countries worldwide, Finland holds the 20th position for this measure. Within the European context, it stands at 15th place out of 31 countries.
| 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%, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.25. This figure shows minimal change from the previous year, 2023, when it was 39.3%. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the indicator has been increasing, averaging 35.7%. Compared to the 1980s average of 19.2%, the current level is approximately 20.4 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Finland holds the 13th position among 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 8th 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 the birth pattern observed in 2024, the total number of births is projected to decline significantly over the coming decades if migration is not taken into account. By 2068, births are expected to drop from 43,655 in 2024 to approximately 21,828, marking a 50% reduction. This downward trend continues, with births potentially falling by 75% around 2112 and reaching a 90% decrease to about 4,366 by 2170.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Finland’s childlessness rate stands at 44.9%, showing only a slight increase from 44.6% the previous year. Over the recent five-year span, this rate has been on an upward trend, averaging 42.2% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1980s when the rate averaged 32.4%, today’s figure is roughly 12.5 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries worldwide, Finland holds the 8th position for this metric.
Within Europe, it ranks 5th out of 31, making it one of the continent’s countries with 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 a total of 43,655 births in 2024, marking a slight increase of 311 from the previous year’s 43,344. Over the last five years, the annual average number of births has been declining, settling at around 45,603. This is a notable drop from the 1980s when the average was significantly higher at 63,503, reflecting a decrease of 19,848 births, or 31.3% fewer births today.
| 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, showing a decrease of 2.3 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the BRI has trended downward, averaging 27.8%. This figure significantly exceeds the 1980s average of -18.0% by approximately 45.1 percentage points. On a global scale, Finland holds the 28th position out of 35 countries for this metric, while within Europe, it ranks near the lower end with the 25th spot among 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.
