Liechtenstein
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Liechtenstein saw a notable decline in its total maternal rate, dropping to 65.0% from 68.5% the year before, continuing a downward trend observed over the last five years. Simultaneously, lifetime childlessness has increased to 35.0%, reflecting shifting family formation patterns in this small alpine country. The average maternal age remains among the highest in Europe but has inched down slightly this year.
- The total fertility gap (TFG) rose modestly to 33.0%, indicating a small improvement in the rate of women having children compared to recent years.
- Despite a slight drop in average maternal age to 31.7 years, Liechtenstein retains one of the highest average maternal ages in Europe, ranked 5th out of 31 countries.
- Childlessness is becoming more prevalent, climbing by 3.5 percentage points since 2023, with the current rate well above the 2020s average, suggesting delayed or foregone parenthood.
- Total births decreased by 20 to 341, signaling a mild contraction in the absolute number of new births amid demographic shifts.
In 2024, Liechtenstein showed a declining total maternal rate alongside stable children per mother and a high maternal age compared to European norms.
- Total maternal rate at 65%, ranked 12th in Europe
- Children per mother stable at 2.13, mid-range European rank
- Average maternal age high at 31.7 years, 5th oldest in Europe
- Lifetime childlessness rising, mid-lower European ranking
- Births projected to halve by 2082 with continued decline
Key fertility indicators — Liechtenstein
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 65.0% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.0% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 30 |
| Total births (latest year) | 341 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) for Liechtenstein stands at 65.0%, marking a decrease of 3.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the past five years, the TMR has shown a downward trend, averaging 68.9% during 2020–2024. When compared to the 2020s average, the current figure is about 3.9 percentage points lower. The minimum and maximum values over the recent three-year span from 2022 to 2024 remain identical at 68.9%. Regarding its global standing, Liechtenstein holds the 12th position out of 38 countries, and it is also ranked 12th among 31 European countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 68.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 65.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
The number of children per mother in Liechtenstein reached 2.13 in 2024, showing minimal change from 2.13 in 2023. Over the past five years, this figure has been gradually increasing, with a five-year average of 2.09. Today's value aligns closely with the typical rate observed throughout the 2020s. On a global scale, Liechtenstein holds the 19th position among 38 countries, while in Europe it ranks 15th out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.13 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.13 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Liechtenstein reached 31.68 years in 2024, marking a slight decrease of 0.31 years from 31.99 in 2023. During the last five years, the average has remained fairly consistent, with a mean of 31.75 years, reflecting a generally rising trend within this period. The maternal age has held steady near this figure in recent years as well. Across a global context, the country ranks seventh out of 38 in terms of average maternal age, while within Europe, it holds the fifth position among 31 countries for this metric.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.99 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 31.68 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) in Liechtenstein reached 33.0% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.39. This marks an increase of 3.3 percentage points from the 2023 figure. Childlessness has shown an upward trend over the last five years, averaging 30.4% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to this baseline, the 2024 rate is approximately 2.6 percentage points higher. On the global stage, the country stands 21st among 38 nations, while within Europe it holds the 16th position out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.7% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 33.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Liechtenstein’s SHL stands at 58.2 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 8.8 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 64.8 years. Compared with the 2020s average (64.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 6.6 years.
Globally, Liechtenstein ranks 14 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 13 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Liechtenstein, there would be 30 great-grandchildren, representing a -70.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Liechtenstein ranks 21 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 16 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
The birth trajectory starting from 2024 indicates a significant decline in annual births, dropping from 341 in that year to 170 by 2082, representing a 50% decrease. Continuing this trend, births would diminish by 75% by 2140 and fall sharply by 90% to just 34 births in 2217, assuming migration does not affect these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Liechtenstein reached 35.0% in 2024, marking an increase of 3.5 percentage points from the previous year, 2023. This rate has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with the average between 2020 and 2024 standing at 31.1%. Comparing the current figure to this five-year baseline shows a rise of approximately 3.9 percentage points. Internationally, Liechtenstein holds the 27th position among 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 20th out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 35.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Liechtenstein saw 341 total births in 2024, slightly down from 361 in 2023. The total number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 355 annually. This figure is close to the overall average for the early 2020s, which stands at 355 births per year.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 361 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 341 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator for Liechtenstein reached 43.4% in 2024, showing a significant increase of 6.0 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years (2020–2024), the indicator has followed an upward trend, averaging 39.8%. Compared to this five-year average, the current value is approximately 3.6 percentage points higher. On the world stage, Liechtenstein holds the 16th position out of 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 13th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 37.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 43.4% |
Source: Eurostat.