Latvia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Latvia experienced a notable rise in lifetime childlessness, climbing to 47.6% in 2024, which marks a 4.8 percentage point increase from the previous year and places the country among those with the highest childlessness rates both globally and in Europe. Concurrently, the total fertility rate dropped by nearly five percentage points, while the average maternal age decreased to 28.1 years, reversing a recent upward trend.
- Total fertility rate fell to 0.524 in 2024, continuing a downward pattern from previous years and ranking Latvia low among European countries.
- Despite falling fertility, children per mother remains relatively high at 2.29, above the 2000s average and one of the highest in Europe.
- Age at childbearing decreased by about 0.8 years from 2023, positioning Latvia among the countries with the youngest maternal ages in Europe.
- Lifetime childlessness rose sharply, reaching 47.6%, significantly above both global and European averages and increasing steadily over the last five years.
In 2024, Latvia shows one of Europe's lowest total maternal fertility rates alongside high childlessness and notable shifts in family size.
- TMR is among Europe's lowest (ranked 30/31)
- Children per mother remain high and stable, ranking 26/31 in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing is one of the youngest in Europe (ranked 27/31)
- Childlessness is among the highest in Europe (ranked 2/31)
- Total births down 40% from 2000s levels with continuing declines
Key fertility indicators — Latvia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 47.6% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.29 |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 20 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In Latvia, the prevalence of motherhood, measured by the Total Motherhood Rate, stands at 52.4% in 2024, marking a decline of nearly 4.8 percentage points from the previous year. Over the five years leading up to 2024, there has been a consistent downward trend, with an average TMR of 59.5%. When compared to the 2000s average of 69.4%, current figures represent a decrease of about 17 percentage points. On a global scale, the country ranks among the lowest in TMR, positioned 35th out of 38, and similarly, within Europe, it holds one of the lowest rankings at 30th out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 63.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 63.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 57.2% |
| 2000 | 62.2% | 2024 | 52.4%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Children per mother (CPM)
Latvia's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.29 in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.05 from the previous year. Over the past five years, the CPM has remained fairly steady, averaging 2.37. Compared to the early 2000s, when the average was 1.97, the current rate is up by roughly 0.32. On a global scale, Latvia ranks 32nd out of 38 countries for CPM, placing it among the higher values worldwide.
Within Europe, it holds one of the top CPM figures, ranked 26th out of 31 countries.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.09 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.39 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.34 |
| 2000 | 2.00 | 2024 | 2.29* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average age of mothers at childbirth in Latvia is 28.1 years, marking a decrease of 0.8 years from 2023. Though it has dipped this year, the average maternal age has generally increased over the last five years, with a five-year average of 28.5. This represents a rise of 3.4 years compared to the 2000s average of 24.7. When viewed in a global context, Latvia ranks toward the lower end with one of the youngest average maternal ages, placed 33 out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it also maintains one of the lowest average maternal ages, ranking 27th among 31 nations.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.27 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 28.87 |
| 2000 | 23.95 | 2024 | 28.10* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, Latvia’s TFG stood at 42.0% (reflecting a TFR of 1.20), marking a significant increase of 6.6 percentage points from 2023. The TFG has shown a rising trend over the past five years (2020–2024), averaging 31.7%. When compared to the average from the 2000s, which was 33.8%, the current figure is approximately 8.2 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Latvia ranks 10th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it holds one of the higher TFG rates, positioned 7th among 31 nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 35.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 35.4% |
| 2000 | 40.0% | 2024 | 42.0%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Latvia’s SHL stands at 38.3 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 10.8 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 57.8 years. Compared with the 2000s average (46.7 years), SHL is now shorter by about 8.4 years.
Globally, Latvia ranks 31 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 26/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Latvia, there would be 20 great-grandchildren, representing a -80.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Latvia ranks 10 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 7/31).
Birth trajectory
Following the birth trends observed in 2024, the total number of births is projected to drop significantly over the coming decades. Specifically, births are expected to decline by half, from 12,887 in 2024 to 6,444 by 2062. Looking further ahead, the reduction becomes even more pronounced, with births anticipated to fall by 75% by 2101 and ultimately decrease by 90% to just 1,289 by the year 2151, assuming no migration occurs.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Latvia reached 47.6% in 2024, marking an increase of 4.8 percentage points since 2023. This rate has been on the rise over the last five years, with the 2020–2024 average standing at 40.5%. Compared to the 2000s average of 30.6%, the current figure is higher by around 17.0 percentage points. The lowest recorded average occurred between 2014 and 2016, at 27.2%. Latvia ranks among the highest globally for childlessness rates, positioned 4th out of 38 countries, and is 2nd highest within Europe among 31 nations.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 36.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 36.4% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 42.8% |
| 2000 | 37.8% | 2024 | 47.6%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Total births
In 2024, Latvia recorded 12,887 total births, marking a decline of 1,591 compared to the previous year. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the past five years, with an average of 15,651 annually. This figure is significantly lower than the 2000s average of 21,689, showing a decrease of 8,802 births, which represents a 40.6% drop.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 19.8k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 17.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 14.5k |
| 2000 | 20.3k | 2024 | 12.9k* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Latvia's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 49.9% in 2024, marking an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the BRI has shown an upward trend, averaging 40.2% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 28.9%, the current level is higher by around 21.0 percentage points. On the global stage, this places Latvia 9th among 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 6th out of 30, reflecting one of the region's more elevated BRI figures.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 45.0% |
| 2000 | 36.6% | 2024 | 49.9%* |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia.
