Iceland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Iceland's lifetime childlessness rate rose slightly to 33.3% in 2024, continuing a longer-term upward trend that has increased by nearly 12 percentage points since the 1990s. Despite this, Iceland maintains one of the highest average children per mother ratios globally at 2.34, although this too is slowly declining from 1990s levels. The mean maternal age at childbirth has also increased further, reaching 29.1 years, reflecting a gradual postponement of parenthood.
- Completed fertility rate (TMR) edged down to 66.7%, continuing a five-year decline from the 1990s baseline of 78.4%.
- Total fertility gap (TFG) rose slightly to 24.6%, indicating some recovery from historically low levels in the early 1990s, though still below European averages.
- Average maternal age increased by 0.3 years compared to 2023, continuing a rise that now places it over 4 years higher than in the 1990s.
- Total births remained stable at around 4,311, showing little change year-over-year despite demographic shifts.
In 2024, Iceland's fertility remains relatively high with children per mother stable but total fertility rate slowly declining from past decades.
- Children per mother at 2.34, among highest in Europe (30/31)
- Total fertility rate ranks 8th highest in both global and European contexts
- Mean age at childbearing rising to 29.1 years, above European average
- Lifetime childlessness rising, ranked lower in Europe (24/31)
- Birthgap generational indicator very low, indicating future population decline risk
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)
Completed fertility among mothers in Iceland stands at 66.7% in 2024, marking a slight decline of 0.8 percentage points from 2023. The total motherhood prevalence rate has been decreasing over the last five years, averaging 72.8% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1990s average of 78.4%, the current figure is about 11.7 percentage points lower. Iceland's position on the global stage places it 8th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it also holds the 8th spot 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 children per mother (CPM) rate in Iceland stood at 2.34 in 2024, showing only a slight decrease from 2.359 in 2023. Over the last five years, the average CPM has been on a modest rise, reaching 2.35. Compared to the 1990s average of 2.72, the current figure is about 0.38 lower. Among countries worldwide, Iceland's CPM ranks near the top, positioned 36th out of 38. Within the European continent, it is similarly high, holding the 30th spot out of 31 countries.
| 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)
The average maternal age in Iceland reached 29.1 years in 2024, marking an increase of 0.3 years from 2023. This upward trend has been evident over the last five years, with a five-year average of 28.8 years. Compared to the 1990s, the average age at childbearing has grown by 4.3 years. Iceland holds the 29th position among 38 countries worldwide and ranks 23rd out of 31 within Europe.
| 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)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 24.6% in 2024, corresponding to a Total Fertility Rate of 1.56. This marks a modest increase from 2023, rising by 1.6 percentage points. Over the past five years, there has been a steady upward trend, with an average TFG of 17.7% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1990s average of 0.7%, the current level is about 23.9 percentage points higher. The lowest TFG was recorded during the early 1990s (1990–1996), averaging close to zero. On a global scale, Iceland's TFG ranks among the lower end at 35th out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds one of the lowest positions, ranked 29th out of 31.
| 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
Looking at the birth patterns from 2024, the total number of births is projected to decrease significantly over time, dropping from 4,311 in 2024 to 2,156 by 2100—a 50% reduction. This decline continues steeply, with births expected to fall by 75% in 2176 and reach a 90% decrease, falling to just 431, by 2277, assuming migration does not influence these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Iceland reached 33.3% in 2024, marking a small increase of 0.8 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years, childlessness has shown an upward trend, with the average from 2020 to 2024 hitting 27.2%. This figure is notably higher than the average during the 1990s, which stood at 21.6%, reflecting an increase of approximately 11.7 percentage points. Iceland's position on the global stage places it 31st among 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 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 2 from the previous year, 2023. Over the last five years, the annual average of births has been 4,476, indicating a declining trend. When compared to the 1990s average of 4,400.9, the current birth figures remain near this historical level.
| 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) is recorded at 12.8%, reflecting a slight decrease of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has averaged a 1.9% decline. When compared with the 1990s average of -69.8%, the current BRI is approximately 82.6 percentage points higher. Iceland's BRI remains among the lowest globally, positioned 34th out of 35 countries, and ranks last among European nations at 30th out of 30.
| 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.
