Greece
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Greece's key fertility metrics have remained fairly steady from 2023 to 2024, with a slight decline in total births and a marginal increase in average maternal age. After several years of mild fluctuations, the total maternal rate is close to its long-term level from the 1990s, while the lifetime childlessness rate remains high but stable.
- Total births decreased by 2,436 to 68,467 in 2024, continuing a modest downward trend.
- The average maternal age rose slightly to 31.7 years, ranking among the highest globally, reflecting gradual aging of mothers.
- The total fertility gap and cumulative pattern measure remain relatively stable, indicating little change in family size preferences.
- Lifetime childlessness holds steady at 40.0%, close to the 1990s average, suggesting persistent demographic challenges.
In 2024, Greece shows a stable but generally declining birth pattern, with maternal age rising and fertility rates remaining below replacement levels.
- Total maternal rate steady near 60%, ranking 26th of 38 globally
- Children per mother slightly above 2, ranking 13th globally
- Average maternal age high at 31.7 years, 6th highest rank
- Total fertility gap rising, ranked 11th globally
- Lifetime childlessness steady around 40%, ranked 13th globally
Key fertility indicators — Greece
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 60.0% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 40.0% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.7 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 44.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 21 |
| Total births (latest year) | 68,467 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) for 2024 stands at 60.0%, showing a slight decrease from 0.604 in 2023. This follows a downward trend over the past five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 at 62.6%. Compared to the 1990s average of 59.5%, the current rate is close to that historical level. The lowest TMR was recorded between 1997 and 1999, at 58.3%. Greece ranks 26th among 38 countries in this measure.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 72.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 64.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 60.4% |
| 2000 | 59.9% | 2024 | 60.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Greece stood at 2.04 in 2024, showing minimal change from 2.06 in 2023. Over the past five years, the CPM has been gradually decreasing, with an average of 2.09 during this period. When compared to the 1990s average of 2.17, the current figure is about 0.13 lower. Between 2011 and 2013, the CPM reached its lowest three-year average at approximately 1.93, while the highest three-year average, around 2.21, occurred from 1993 to 1995.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.03 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.11 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.06 |
| 2000 | 2.10 | 2024 | 2.04 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 31.7 years in 2024, showing only a slight increase from 31.69 years in 2023. A steady upward trend has been observed over the last five years, with the AMA averaging 31.6 years during this period. This marks a significant rise of about 5.0 years compared to the 1990s average maternal age. Currently, Greece is among the countries with the highest average maternal ages worldwide.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.72 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.34 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.69 |
| 2000 | 28.10 | 2024 | 31.73 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Greece reached 40.7% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.23. This marks a slight increase of 0.9 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the past five years, the indicator has been on an upward trend, with an average of 36.9% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1990s average of 37.6%, the current figure stands approximately 3.1 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries, Greece holds the 11th position in this measure.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 34.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.8% |
| 2000 | 39.3% | 2024 | 40.7% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Greece’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 44.7 years. It has decreased by 1.3 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 51.1 years. Compared with the 1990s average (42.3 years), SHL is now longer by about 2.4 years.
Globally, Greece ranks 26 out of 38 countries.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Greece, there would be 21 great-grandchildren, representing a -79.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Greece ranks 11 out of 38 countries.
Birth trajectory
If birth rates follow the 2024 pattern, the number of births is expected to halve from 68,467 in 2024 to 34,234 by 2069. Looking further ahead, births may decline by 75% around 2113 and drop by 90% to just 6,847 by 2173, assuming no migration influences these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Greece reached 40.0% in 2024, showing only a slight increase from 39.6% the previous year. Over the latest five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has been on an upward trend, averaging 37.4%. This current figure remains close to the 1990s average of 40.5%, indicating a return to levels seen in that decade. Within a global context, Greece holds the 13th position out of 38 countries for this metric.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.6% |
| 2000 | 40.1% | 2024 | 40.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Greece saw 68,467 total births in 2024, marking a decline of 2,436 from the previous year. The number of births has been steadily dropping over the last five years, with an average annual count of 76,900. When compared to the 1990s, which had an average of 101,830 births, this represents a decrease of 33,363 births, or 32.8%. This downward trend highlights a significant reduction in total births over recent decades.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 114.6k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 84.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 70.9k |
| 2000 | 103.2k | 2024 | 68.5k |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Greece's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 54.9% in 2023, reflecting an increase of 2.8 percentage points from 2022. This upward trend has continued over the last five years, with the 2019–2023 average standing at 50.4%. Compared to the 1990s average of 14.5%, the BRI has grown by approximately 40.4 percentage points. Despite this rise, Greece holds the lowest BRI score globally, ranking 35th out of 35 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 24.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 48.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 54.9% |
| 2000 | 18.2% | 2024 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
