Iceland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Iceland saw a modest increase in lifetime childlessness to 33.3% in 2024, marking a 0.8 percentage point rise from the previous year and continuing a rising trend observed over the last five years. Despite this, the average children per mother remains high at 2.34, well above European and global averages, though it has slightly declined since the 1990s. The mean maternal age in Iceland has also increased steadily, reaching 29.1 years, reflecting a trend of delayed childbirth.
- The total fertility rate decreased slightly to 0.667, continuing a gradual decline since the 1990s baseline of 0.784.
- The birthgap generational indicator rose to 24.6%, indicating a notable increase compared to very low levels in the early 1990s.
- Life expectancy (SHL) declined by about 5.2 years to 76.2, a significant drop compared to previous measurements.
- The total number of births remained stable at just over 4300, showing minimal change year over year.
In 2024, Iceland shows a high children per mother rate (2.34), higher mean age at childbearing (29.1), and a notable rise in childlessness rate (33.3%).
- Children per mother ranked 30th highest in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing ranks 23rd oldest in Europe
- Childlessness rising with a rate ranked 24th highest in Europe
- Birthgap generational indicator very low, ranked 29th in Europe
- Strong longevity with SHL ranked 3rd longest in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Iceland
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 33.3% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.34 |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 24.6% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 43 |
| Total births (latest year) | 4,311 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In Iceland, the completed fertility rate among mothers stands at 66.7% in 2024, slightly decreasing by 0.8 percentage points from 2023. The total motherhood prevalence rate (TMR) has been on a downward trend over the last five years, averaging 72.8% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1990s average of 78.4%, the current rate is approximately 11.7 percentage points lower. On the international stage, Iceland is positioned 8th out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds the 8th rank out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 86.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 83.9% |
| 1990 | 82.4% | 2023 | 67.5% |
| 2000 | 84.7% | 2024 | 66.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Children per mother (CPM)
The number of children per mother (CPM) in Iceland stood at 2.34 in 2024, showing only a slight decline from 2.359 in 2023. Over the past five years, the average CPM has been 2.35, indicating a mild downward trend in that period. When compared to the 1990s average of 2.72, the current rate is about 0.38 lower. On a global scale, Iceland ranks among the highest with CPM values, placing 36th out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it holds one of the top CPM positions, ranked 30th out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.60 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.14 |
| 1990 | 2.80 | 2023 | 2.36 |
| 2000 | 2.45 | 2024 | 2.34* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age in Iceland reaches 29.1 years, marking an increase of 0.3 years from 2023. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average maternal age during this period at 28.8 years. Compared to the 1990s, the average age at childbirth has risen by 4.3 years, reflecting a significant long-term increase.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.85 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.65 |
| 1990 | 23.96 | 2023 | 28.77 |
| 2000 | 25.45 | 2024 | 29.10* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
By 2024, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) has reached 24.6% (corresponding to a TFR of 1.56), showing a modest increase of 1.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 17.7% during 2020–2024. Compared to the average of the 1990s at 0.7%, the current level is approximately 23.9 percentage points higher. The lowest TFG values were observed in the early 1990s (1990–1996), with an average near zero. Internationally, Iceland ranks near the bottom in TFG levels, placed 35th out of 38 globally, and holds one of the lower rankings within Europe as well, at 29th out of 31 countries.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 13.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 23.0% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 24.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Iceland’s SHL stands at 76.2 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 5.2 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 131.9 years. Compared with the 1990s average (1046.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 970.6 years.
Globally, Iceland has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 4/38).Within Europe, it has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 3/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Iceland, there would be 43 great-grandchildren, representing a -57.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Iceland has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 35/38). Within Europe, it has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 29/31).
Birth trajectory
If the birth trend seen in 2024 continues, the number of births is projected to drop from 4,311 in that year to about 2,156 by 2100, amounting to a 50% decrease. Looking further ahead, births could decline by 75% by 2176, and by 90% to just 431 by the year 2277, assuming no migration changes.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
By 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate in Iceland has reached 33.3%, showing a modest increase of 0.8 percentage points from 2023. This rate has been steadily climbing over the past five years, with the 2020–2024 average at 27.2%. When compared to the 1990s average of 21.6%, the current figure marks an increase of roughly 11.7 percentage points. On the global stage, the country stands at 31 out of 38 nations, while within Europe, it is positioned 24th out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 16.1% |
| 1990 | 17.6% | 2023 | 32.5% |
| 2000 | 15.3% | 2024 | 33.3%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Total births
The total number of births in Iceland reached 4,311 in 2024, showing a slight decrease of just two from the previous year. Despite this small drop, the five-year average reveals a downward trend, with annual births averaging 4,476 during this period. When looking further back, the current birth figures are close to the average of 4,400.9 observed in the 1990s, indicating stability around that longer-term norm.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 4,906 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 4,505 |
| 1990 | 4,768 | 2023 | 4,313 |
| 2000 | 4,315 | 2024 | 4,311* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, Iceland's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) measured 12.8%, showing a slight decrease of 1.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years (2020–2024), the BRI has been on a declining trend, averaging 1.9%. When compared to the 1990s average of -69.8%, the current BRI level is higher by approximately 82.6 percentage points. On a global scale, Iceland ranks near the bottom with one of the lowest BRI values, positioned 34th out of 35.
Within Europe, it holds the lowest BRI ranking, coming in last among 30 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | -10.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -3.8% |
| 1990 | -132.2% | 2023 | 14.3% |
| 2000 | -28.8% | 2024 | 12.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Iceland.
