Latvia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Latvia experienced a notable increase in lifetime childlessness in 2024, with the rate rising to 47.6%, up 4.8 percentage points from the previous year. This growing trend places Latvia among the countries with the highest childlessness both globally and within Europe. Meanwhile, the total fertility growth also showed a marked increase, indicating some divergence in reproductive patterns.
- The total maternal fertility rate declined to 0.524 in 2024, continuing a long-term downward trend and ranking among the lowest worldwide.
- Children per mother slightly decreased to 2.29, remaining high compared to historical norms and regional averages.
- The average maternal age fell to 28.1 years, a reversal of previous years' gradual increases, keeping it among the youngest in Europe.
- Lifetime fertility growth rose sharply to 42.0%, reflecting an increase in the proportion of women having some children despite rising childlessness.
In 2024, Latvia shows demographic contrasts with low maternal age and fertility levels amid high childlessness and declining birth rates.
- Children per mother stable above global average at 2.29
- One of Europe's lowest average maternal ages (28.1 years)
- Childlessness rate very high, ranked 2nd in Europe
- Total fertility gap ranks 7th highest in Europe
- Strong projected birth declines up to 90% by 2151
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)
Completed fertility among mothers in Latvia stood at 52.4% in 2024, marking a decrease of 4.8 percentage points from 2023. The total motherhood rate (TMR) has been on a downward trend over the past five years, averaging 59.5% between 2020 and 2024. This recent level is notably lower than the 2000s average of 69.4%, reflecting a drop of approximately 17.0 percentage points. On a global scale, Latvia ranks near the bottom for TMR, positioned 35th out of 38 countries. Similarly, within Europe, it holds one of the lowest spots, ranking 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) stood 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 stable with an average of 2.37. This figure marks an increase of approximately 0.32 compared to the average of 1.97 seen in the 2000s. On a global scale, Latvia ranks among the countries with the highest CPM values, positioned 32nd out of 38.
Within Europe, it also holds one of the top CPM rates, ranking 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 in Latvia is 28.1 years, marking a decrease of 0.8 years from 2023. While the maternal age had been on an upward trend over the last five years, averaging 28.5 years, the current figure reflects a recent decline. This average is notably 3.4 years greater than the mean during the 2000s. On the international stage, Latvia ranks among the countries with the lowest average maternal ages, placing 33rd out of 38 worldwide. Similarly, within Europe, it is positioned near the lower end, ranked 27th out of 31 countries in terms of average maternal age.
| 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 Birthgap Generational Indicator stands at 42.0%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.20. This marks a notable increase of 6.6 percentage points from 2023. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the past five years (2020–2024), averaging 31.7%. When compared to the 2000s average of 33.8%, the current figure is approximately 8.2 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Latvia ranks 10th out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds one of the top positions, ranked 7th among 31 countries.
| 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
The birth projections based on 2024 data indicate a significant decline over the coming decades. Total births are expected to drop by 50%, falling from 12,887 in 2024 to 6,444 by 2062. This downward trend continues, with births projected to decrease by 75% by 2101, and ultimately a 90% reduction to 1,289 births by 2151, assuming migration does not affect these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
By 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Latvia has reached 47.6%, marking an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2023. This upward trend in childlessness has been consistent over the last five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 standing at 40.5%. When compared to the 2000s baseline of 30.6%, the current rate is approximately 17.0 percentage points higher. The lowest recorded averages appeared in the mid-2010s (2014–2016), at 27.2%. On a global scale, Latvia ranks 4th out of 38 countries for its childlessness rate, while within Europe, it occupies 2nd place among 31 countries.
| 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 decrease of 1,591 compared to the previous year. Over the last five years, the annual number of births has declined, with an average of 15,651 per year. When compared to the 2000s average of 21,689 births, the current figures show a significant reduction of 8,802 births, representing 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. This figure is significantly higher than the 2000s average of 28.9%, representing a rise of about 21.0 percentage points. Among 35 countries worldwide, Latvia holds the 9th position for this metric.
Within Europe, it ranks 6th out of 30, indicating one of the region's highest BRI values.
| 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.
