Malta
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, Malta experienced a notable decline in its total maternal rate, dropping to 56.5% from 60.3% in 2023, marking a continuation of a downward trend that places it among the lowest in Europe. Meanwhile, the total fertility gradient rose to 50.6%, the highest in Europe, signaling complex dynamics in family size preferences despite overall lower fertility rates.
- The lifetime childlessness rate increased by 3.8 percentage points to 43.5%, one of the highest levels in Europe and significantly above its 2000s average.
- Malta’s children per mother remains very low at 1.81, ranking third lowest globally, with little change from the previous year.
- Average maternal age ticks up slightly to 30.9 years, among the highest in Europe, reflecting delayed childbearing trends.
- Despite fewer births overall compared to the previous year (down by 107), the total fertility gradient's rise suggests an increasing tendency for families to have children beyond the first child.
In 2024, Malta shows notably low children per mother and high childlessness rates, with shifts in birth patterns impacting population replacement.
- One of lowest children per mother globally (ranked 3/38)
- Highest Lifetime Childlessness in Europe (ranked 6/31)
- Mean age at childbearing among oldest in Europe (ranked 7/31)
- Highest Total Fertility Gap in Europe (ranked 1/31)
- Shortest Societal Half-Life in Europe (ranked 31/31)
Key fertility indicators — Malta
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 56.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 43.5% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.81 |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 32.3 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 12 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024 stands at 56.5%, marking a decrease of 3.8 percentage points from 2023. Throughout the latest five years (2020–2024), the TMR has been on a downward trend, with an average of 58.4%. Compared to the 2000s average of 71.3%, this represents a drop of approximately 14.8 percentage points. On the global stage, this places the country at 30th among 38 nations.
Within Europe, it is among those with the lowest TMR, positioned 26th out of 31 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 69.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 60.3% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 56.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
The number of children per mother (CPM) in Malta stood at 1.81 in 2024, showing almost no change from 1.805 in 2023. Over the latest five years, CPM has remained fairly steady, averaging 1.88. When compared to the average from the 2000s, which was 1.94, the current figure is about 0.13 lower. On a global scale, Malta ranks among the countries with the lowest CPM, placing 3rd out of 38.
Within Europe, it holds the second lowest CPM ranking out of 31 countries.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.91 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 1.80 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 1.81 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in Malta reached 30.9 years in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. Over the last five years, this average has steadily climbed, with a mean value of 30.5 years. Compared to the 2000s, the current average is 3.8 years higher. On a global scale, Malta places 10th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 7th out of 31 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 27.52 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.98 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 30.74 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 30.92 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Malta stands at 50.6% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.02. This marks an increase of 3.2 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 47.1% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 33.2%, the current figure has risen by approximately 17.4 percentage points. On a global scale, Malta ranks third among 38 countries for TFG levels.
Within Europe, it holds the highest position, ranking first out of 31 countries.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 34.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 45.5% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 47.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 50.6% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Malta’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 32.3 years. It has decreased by 3.0 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 35.4 years. Compared with the 2000s average (50.1 years), SHL is now shorter by about 17.7 years.
Globally, Malta has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 36/38).Within Europe, Malta has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Malta, there would be 12 great-grandchildren, representing a -88.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Malta has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 3/38). Within Europe, Malta has the highest TGI drop (ranked 1/31).
Birth trajectory
Looking at the birth trend projected from 2024, the total number of births is expected to drop significantly over the coming decades. Starting with 4,350 births in 2024, the figure is forecasted to decrease by half to 2,175 by 2056. Continuing this downward trajectory, births would fall by 75% around 2089, and ultimately decline by 90% to just 435 by 2131, assuming migration does not alter these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Malta stands at 43.5% for 2024, marking an increase of 3.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TCR has shown a rising trend, averaging 41.6% from 2020 to 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 28.7%, the current rate is approximately 14.8 percentage points higher. This figure places Malta 9th out of 38 countries globally. Within Europe, it ranks notably high, positioned 6th among 31 countries for childlessness rate.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 39.7% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 43.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2024, Malta recorded 4,350 total births, a slight decline of 107 from the previous year's 4,457. Over the last five years, the yearly average of births has been 4,381, showing a gradual decrease. When compared to the average total births in the 2000s, which was 3,870, this reflects a 12.4% rise.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 3,891 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 4,408 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 4,457 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 4,350 |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Malta's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 36.5% in 2024, marking a 3.0 percentage point rise from 2023. The indicator has been climbing over the last five years, with a 2020–2024 average of 31.1%. This level is close to the long-term average of 36.8% seen during the 2000s. Among 35 countries worldwide, Malta holds the 18th position, while in Europe it stands at 15th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 35.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 24.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.4% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 36.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
