Liechtenstein
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Liechtenstein experienced a noticeable decline in its total maternal rate to 65.0% in 2024, down 3.5 percentage points from the previous year, marking a continued downward trend over recent years. Conversely, childlessness increased significantly, with the lifetime childlessness rate rising by 3.5 percentage points to 35.0%, reflecting a growing preference or trend towards remaining childfree.
- The childfreedom gap widened as the childlessness rate hit 35%, well above the 2020s average of 31.1%.
- Total Fertility Gap rose to 33.0%, indicating fewer women are having children than in past years, though the total fertility gap remains moderately high.
- Despite these shifts, the completed parity mean and average maternal age remained relatively stable at 2.13 children and 31.7 years, respectively.
- Total births decreased slightly to 341, continuing a modest downward pattern consistent with declining fertility metrics.
In 2024, Liechtenstein shows moderate fertility with a total maternal rate slightly above global and European averages but declining recently.
- TMR ranks 12th globally and in Europe among comparable countries
- Mean age at childbearing is high, ranked 7th globally and 5th in Europe
- Childlessness rates rising, with lifetime childlessness near a third
- Two-child families dominate, over two-thirds of mothers have two children
- Birth rate index increased notably, ranking 16th worldwide
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 motherhood rate (TMR) in Liechtenstein stands at 65.0%, marking a decrease of 3.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has shown a downward trend, averaging 68.9% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the baseline for the 2020s of 68.9%, the current rate is approximately 3.9 percentage points lower. The period from 2022 to 2024 represents both the minimum and maximum three-year average of 68.9%. Within global rankings, Liechtenstein places 12th among 38 countries and holds the same rank, 12th, among 31 European nations.
| 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 the 2.13 recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, this figure has been gradually increasing, with an average of 2.09 children per mother during this period. Today's rate aligns closely with the 2020s average, reflecting relative stability. While global and regional rankings are noted, the focus here remains on the consistent trend in fertility within the country.
| 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 stands at 31.68 years in 2024, reflecting a slight decline of 0.31 years from 2023. Across the last five years, this figure has held steady with a mean of approximately 31.75 years, maintaining proximity to the levels seen earlier in the decade. Notably, the maternal age has remained consistent between 2022 and 2024 at this value. On both the global and European stages, Liechtenstein ranks among the countries with the highest average maternal age, positioned 7th out of 38 worldwide and 5th among 31 European nations.
| 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) for Liechtenstein reached 33.0% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.39. This reflects an increase of 3.3 percentage points from 2023. Childlessness has been trending upward over the last five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 at 30.4%. Compared to this baseline, the current figure is approximately 2.6 percentage points higher. Liechtenstein holds the 21st position globally among 38 countries and ranks 16th out of 31 across Europe.
| 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 pattern observed in 2024 suggests a significant decline in total births over the coming centuries, with numbers dropping from 341 in 2024 to 170 by 2082, marking a 50% decrease. Looking further ahead, births are projected to fall by 75% by 2140, and reach a 90% decrease by 2217, resulting in just 34 births, assuming migration does not influence these trends.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Liechtenstein stands at 35.0%, marking an increase of 3.5 percentage points since 2023. The trend over the last five years has been upward, with the average rate from 2020 to 2024 at 31.1%. This means the current figure exceeds the early 2020s average by approximately 3.9 percentage points. When compared with other nations worldwide, Liechtenstein holds the 27th position out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it ranks 20th among 31 countries.
| 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
The number of total births in Liechtenstein reached 341 in 2024, showing a slight decline from 361 recorded in 2023. Over the last five years, the annual total births have generally decreased, averaging about 355 per year. This figure aligns closely with the average for the 2020s, indicating that current birth numbers remain near the long-term average for this period.
| 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 (BRI) for Liechtenstein stands at 43.4% in 2024, showing a significant increase of 6.0 percentage points from the previous year. Over the past five years (2020–2024), the BRI has trended upward, maintaining an average value of 39.8%. Compared to this five-year average, the current figure is higher by approximately 3.6 percentage points. Liechtenstein holds the 16th position among 35 countries worldwide and ranks 13th within Europe out of 30 nations.
| 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.