Greece
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Greece's birth pattern in 2024 shows a slight dip in total births and overall maternal rate while average maternal age continues to rise steadily, maintaining one of the highest ranks globally. The total fertility gradient has edged upward, and family size distributions reflect an increase in one-child families with corresponding declines in two-child and larger families.
- Total births decreased by 2,436 from 2023 to 68,467, with the total maternal rate dipping slightly to 0.6 children per woman, close to its late-1990s level.
- Average maternal age rose marginally to 31.7 years, ranking Greece 6th highest globally and continuing a longer-term upward trend of about 5 years since the 1990s.
- The total fertility gradient improved slightly to 40.7%, indicating a modest rise in fertility relative to the previous year and surpassing the 1990s average.
- Family size patterns shifted with a 2.1 percentage point increase in one-child mothers to 23.3%, and declines in two-child and three-plus child families, reflecting changing reproductive preferences.
In 2024, Greece's maternal and fertility measures show stability with modest declines in total births and a persistently high average maternal age.
- Total maternal rate steady around 60%, ranked 26th globally among 38 countries
- Average maternal age high at nearly 32 years, 6th highest worldwide
- Lifetime childlessness rate stable near 40%, ranks 13th globally
- Two-child families declining, one-child families increasing moderately
- Future birth projections indicate a significant decline by late 21st century
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) in 2024 stands at 60.0%, showing minimal difference compared to 2023. Looking back over the last five years, there's been a downward trend with an average TMR of 62.6% between 2020 and 2024. This level is quite close to the 1990s average of 59.5%. The lowest TMR recorded in the country occurred between 1997 and 1999, at 58.3%. Among 38 countries worldwide, Greece holds the 26th position in terms of motherhood prevalence.
| 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)
In 2024, the number of children per mother in Greece stands at 2.04, showing a very slight decrease from 2.06 in 2023. Over the past five years, the average CPM has slightly declined to 2.09. When compared to the 1990s average of 2.17, current figures are down by about 0.13. Greece’s fertility rate is moderate among the 38 countries ranked globally, placing it at 13th.
| 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) in 2024 stands at 31.7 years, showing little change from 2023. Rising steadily over the last five years, the five-year average reached 31.6 years. This reflects an increase of 5.0 years compared to the average during the 1990s. The period from 2022 to 2024 marks the highest three-year average AMA observed, at approximately 31.7 years. Greece’s AMA continues to trend upward, demonstrating a significant rise from the 1990s average of 26.7 years.
| 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)
In 2024, Greece's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 40.7%, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.23. This marks a slight increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has shown an upward trend, averaging 36.9% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the average of the 1990s, which was 37.6%, the current figure is about 3.1 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries worldwide, Greece holds the 11th position in this metric.
| 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
Looking at birth trends projected from 2024, the number of births is expected to decrease significantly over time. Starting from 68,467 births in 2024, the count could drop by half to 34,234 by 2069. Continuing on this trajectory, births might decline by 75% by 2113 and reach a 90% reduction, down to just 6,847, by the year 2173. These estimates assume no migration and reflect ongoing shifts in birth patterns.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Greece's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 40.0% in 2024, showing only a slight increase from 39.6% in 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the rate has been on the rise, averaging 37.4%. This current figure is near the long-term average from the 1990s, which stood at 40.5%. Regarding international comparisons, Greece holds the 13th position among 38 countries.
| 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, which is 2,436 fewer than in 2023. The trend over the last five years has been a decline, with an average of 76,900 births per year during this period. When compared to the 1990s average of 101,830 births, the current number represents a decrease of 33,363 births, equivalent to a 32.8% drop.
| 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, marking a 2.8 percentage point increase from 2022. The indicator has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with the average between 2019 and 2023 at 50.4%. Compared to the 1990s average of 14.5%, this represents a rise of approximately 40.4 percentage points. Despite these gains, Greece holds the lowest BRI value among 35 countries globally.
| 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.
