Luxembourg
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Luxembourg's total maternal rate declined slightly to 68.8%, continuing a downward trend from previous years yet remaining among the world's highest. The country exhibits a notably high average maternal age at 31.9 years, reflecting ongoing delays in childbirth. Concurrently, its cohort parity measure edged upward to 1.83, though this remains low compared to European averages.
- Total births increased modestly by 182 to 6,459 in 2024, while the total fertility gap (TFG) remained stable at 39.1%.
- The childlessness rate (TCR) rose slightly to 31.2%, maintaining Luxembourg's position as having one of Europe's lowest childlessness rates.
- The average maternal age at birth has increased by 0.2 years to 31.9, ranking Luxembourg among the highest globally and in Europe.
- Statistical measures show slowly rising cohort parity and slight improvements in survival to healthy lifespan, up to 47.5 years, demonstrating steady demographic shifts.
In 2024, Luxembourg shows a moderately declining total maternal rate amid high maternal age and a low average children per mother.
- Total maternal rate near global and European top five positions
- Average maternal age ranks fourth highest globally and third in Europe
- Children per mother one of the lowest, ranking fourth globally
- Childlessness rate low, placing among the bottom ranks globally
- Total births stable with recent increases compared to 2000s baseline
Key fertility indicators — Luxembourg
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 68.8% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 31.2% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.9 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 39.1% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 47.5 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 23 |
| Total births (latest year) | 6,459 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) in Luxembourg stands at 68.8%, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. The trend over the last five years shows a decline, with the average TMR from 2020 to 2024 at 72.0%. Comparing to the 2000s, where the average was 83.5%, the current rate is about 14.7 percentage points lower. Between 2022 and 2024, the minimum three-year average was 70.5%, while the maximum from 2010 to 2012 reached 83.9%. Despite this decline, the country maintains one of the highest TMRs globally and within Europe, ranked fifth among 38 and 31 countries respectively.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 86.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 73.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 69.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 68.8% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the number of children per mother in Luxembourg stands at 1.83, slightly higher than the 1.81 recorded in 2023 by about 0.02. Over the last five years, this figure has remained fairly constant, averaging 1.83, though it is down roughly 0.11 from the 2000s average of 1.94. The minimum three-year average was recorded between 2014 and 2016 at 1.81, while the highest occurred from 2007 to 2009 at approximately 1.94. Luxembourg's CPM ranks among the lowest globally and within Europe, sitting at 4th out of 38 worldwide and 3rd out of 31 within the continent.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.89 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.85 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.81 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 1.83 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
By 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth has reached 31.9 years, marking a modest increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. Over the last five years, this figure has steadily risen, with an average of 31.7 years. Compared to the 2000s average, the AMA is now 2.4 years higher, reflecting a notable upward trend. Luxembourg ranks among the top countries globally for average maternal age, holding the 4th position out of 38. Within Europe, it ranks even higher, coming in 3rd among 31 countries.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.02 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.39 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.74 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 31.95 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 39.1% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.26. This represents very little change compared to 2023, when the value was 39.5%. Over the past five years, the indicator has been trending upward, averaging 36.2% between 2020 and 2024. The current figure is significantly higher than the 2000s average of 21.7%, marking an increase of about 17.4 percentage points. Luxembourg holds the 14th position globally among 38 countries and ranks 9th within Europe out of 31 nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 21.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 34.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 39.1% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Luxembourg’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 47.5 years. It has increased by 0.9 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 52.3 years. Compared with the 2000s average (89.4 years), SHL is now shorter by about 41.9 years.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 25 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 23 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Luxembourg, there would be 23 great-grandchildren, representing a -77.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Luxembourg ranks 14 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 9 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
If the birth patterns observed in 2024 continue, the total number of births is projected to drop significantly over the coming decades, declining from 6,459 in 2024 to approximately 3,230 by 2071, which represents a 50% reduction. This downward trend intensifies, with births expected to decrease by 75% around the year 2119. By 2182, total births could shrink by as much as 90%, reaching about 646, assuming migration does not influence these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Luxembourg reached 31.2% in 2024, showing a modest increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), this rate has steadily climbed, averaging 28.0%. Compared to the 2000s average of 16.5%, the current rate represents a rise of approximately 14.7 percentage points. On a global scale, Luxembourg maintains one of the lower childlessness rates, placing 34th out of 38 countries.
Within Europe, it ranks 27th out of 31, reflecting similarly low rates in the region.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.7% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 31.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Luxembourg saw 6,459 total births in 2024, showing a slight increase from 2023's 6,277. Over the last five years, the number of births has been on the rise, with an average of 6,468 annually. This represents a 16.6% growth compared to the 2000s average of 5,540 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 5,856 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 6,443 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 6,277 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 6,459 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Luxembourg stands at 29.5% in 2024, representing a decrease of 3.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the past five years, the BRI has shown a downward trend, averaging 30.8% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 19.2%, the current figure is approximately 10.2 percentage points higher. In a global context, Luxembourg holds the 22nd position out of 35 countries, while within Europe it ranks 19th among 30 countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 20.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.9% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
