Lithuania
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Lithuania experienced a small decline in total maternal rate and children per mother in 2024 compared to 2023, while the proportion of women remaining childless rose further. Despite a slight uptick in the average maternal age, fertility indicators remain low by historical standards, reflecting continuing demographic challenges.
- Total maternal rate fell by 2.3 percentage points to 54.7%, marking a continued downward trend over recent years.
- The average number of children per mother dropped to 1.96, below the 1970s level and among the lowest in Europe.
- Childlessness increased to 45.3%, one of the highest rates both globally and regionally, rising 2.3 percentage points since 2023.
- Average maternal age edged up slightly to 29.5 years, maintaining a long-term increase of over five years since the 1970s
In 2024, Lithuania shows continued declines in fertility and lifespan, alongside rising childlessness and delayed motherhood.
- One of Europe's lowest children per mother (1.96), ranking 6th lowest among 31 European countries
- Very high childlessness rate, ranked 4th highest in Europe
- Mean age at childbearing rising, now 29.5 years, above European average
- One of Europe's shortest healthy lifespan values, ranking 30th of 31
- Projected 90% drop in births by 2134, reflecting steep demographic decline
Key fertility indicators — Lithuania
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 54.7% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 45.3% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.96 |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 14 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, Lithuania’s total maternal rate (TMR) stands at 54.7%, marking a decrease of 2.3 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the TMR has been on a downward trend, averaging 59.8%. When compared to the average in the 1970s, which was 101.3%, the current rate is roughly 46.6 percentage points lower. On a global scale, Lithuania ranks near the bottom with the 33rd lowest TMR among 38 countries examined.
Within Europe, it also falls among the lowest, placed 28th out of 31 countries in terms of motherhood prevalence.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 112.2% | 2010 | 69.0% |
| 1980 | 94.0% | 2020 | 66.9% |
| 1990 | 98.6% | 2023 | 57.0% |
| 2000 | 66.5% | 2024 | 54.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The children per mother (CPM) in Lithuania stood at 1.96 in 2024, showing a slight decline of 0.06 from the previous year’s 2.024. Over the past five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, with the average CPM around 2.10. Compared to the 1970s, when the CPM averaged 2.20, current values have dropped by approximately 0.24. Among 38 countries globally, Lithuania ranks 8th in CPM, while within Europe it is among the lowest, holding the 6th position out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.14 | 2010 | 2.18 |
| 1980 | 2.12 | 2020 | 2.21 |
| 1990 | 2.05 | 2023 | 2.02 |
| 2000 | 2.09 | 2024 | 1.96 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average age of mothers at childbirth in Lithuania reached 29.5 years in 2024, showing a modest increase of 0.25 years from 2023. This figure reflects a continuing upward trend over the last five years, with the average maternal age during this period being 28.96 years. Compared to the 1970s average of approximately 24.3 years, it is now 5.2 years higher. On the international stage, Lithuania holds the 25th position among 38 countries in terms of average maternal age, while within Europe, it ranks 20th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.72 | 2010 | 26.45 |
| 1980 | 23.79 | 2020 | 28.16 |
| 1990 | 23.28 | 2023 | 29.25 |
| 2000 | 23.90 | 2024 | 29.50 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Lithuania reached 48.2% in 2024, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.07. This marks an increase of 3.9 percentage points from 2023. Childlessness has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with the average between 2020 and 2024 at 39.2%. Compared to the 1970s average of 0.1%, the current TFG is higher by approximately 48.1 percentage points. The lowest TFG occurred in the early 1970s, averaging near zero from 1970 to 1978. On the global scale, Lithuania ranks 4th out of 38 countries for TFG, while within Europe, it holds the 2nd highest position among 31 countries.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.5% |
| 1980 | 3.7% | 2020 | 28.6% |
| 1990 | 2.1% | 2023 | 44.3% |
| 2000 | 32.9% | 2024 | 48.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Lithuania’s SHL stands at 33.2 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 3.9 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 44.9 years. Compared with the 1970s average (694.4 years), SHL is now shorter by about 661.3 years.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 35/38).Within Europe, it has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 30/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Lithuania, there would be 14 great-grandchildren, representing a -86.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Lithuania has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 4/38). Within Europe, it has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 2/31).
Birth trajectory
If current birth trends from 2024 persist, the total number of births is projected to decrease significantly over the coming decades. The count is expected to drop by 50% from 19,086 in 2024 to 9,543 by 2057. A more drastic decline follows, with births falling by 75% by 2090 and reaching a 90% reduction down to 1,909 by 2134, assuming no changes due to migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Lithuania reached 45.3% in 2024, marking an increase of 2.3 percentage points from the previous year. Over the past five years, the TCR has shown a rising trend, averaging 40.2% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s baseline of -1.3%, the current rate is approximately 46.6 percentage points higher. Lithuania ranks among the highest childlessness rates globally, standing 6th out of 38 countries, and similarly holds a high position within Europe, ranked 4th out of 31 countries.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -12.2% | 2010 | 31.0% |
| 1980 | 6.0% | 2020 | 33.1% |
| 1990 | 1.4% | 2023 | 43.0% |
| 2000 | 33.5% | 2024 | 45.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Lithuania recorded 19,086 total births, a decrease of 1,260 from the previous year. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 21,932 births annually. When contrasted with the average from the 1970s, which was 53,001, the current birth figures have dropped by 33,915, marking a decline of 64.0%.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 55.5k | 2010 | 30.7k |
| 1980 | 51.8k | 2020 | 25.1k |
| 1990 | 56.9k | 2023 | 20.3k |
| 2000 | 34.1k | 2024 | 19.1k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) in Lithuania reached 51.1% in 2024, showing a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points from 2023. Throughout the last five years, the indicator has steadily climbed, with the 2020–2024 average standing at 46.2%. When contrasted with the 1970s average of –47.3%, the current BRI is approximately 98.3 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Lithuania ranks seventh out of 35 countries for this measure, and within Europe, it holds the fourth highest position among 30 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -109.0% | 2010 | 38.8% |
| 1980 | -18.1% | 2020 | 38.9% |
| 1990 | -30.6% | 2023 | 49.6% |
| 2000 | 20.2% | 2024 | 51.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
