Malta
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Malta in 2024 experienced a notable increase in lifetime childlessness, rising to 43.5%, up 3.8 percentage points from the previous year. This continues a recent upward trend and positions Malta with one of the highest childlessness rates in Europe. Meanwhile, fertility indicators present a mixed picture with a slight increase in the total fertility growth rate, yet the overall maternal rate continues its decline.
- The total maternal rate decreased to 56.5%, down from 60.3% in 2023, maintaining Malta's position among European countries with lower maternal rates.
- The average maternal age rose slightly to 30.9 years, remaining higher than the European average and indicating a trend toward later childbearing.
- The total fertility growth rate increased to 50.6%, the highest in Europe, suggesting some recovery in fertility despite overall lower birth rates.
- Malta ranks very low globally and within Europe for children per mother at 1.81, reflecting sustained low birth intensity despite minor fluctuations.
In 2024, Malta experiences among Europe's lowest maternal rates and children per mother, coupled with one of the continent's highest childlessness and fertility gap levels.
- Maternal rate ranks 26th of 31 in Europe, among the lowest
- Children per mother ranks 2nd lowest in Europe, stable around 1.81
- Highest total fertility gap in Europe, ranked 1st, indicating major generational decline
- Mean maternal age ranks 7th highest in Europe at 30.9 years, slightly rising
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 since 2023. Over the five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the TMR has been trending downward, averaging 58.4%. When compared to the average of the 2000s, which was 71.3%, the current rate in Malta is lower by approximately 14.8 percentage points. On the global stage, Malta is positioned 30th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it ranks 26th out of 31 countries, reflecting one of the region's lowest levels of motherhood prevalence.
| 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)
Malta's children per mother (CPM) stood at 1.81 in 2024, showing almost no change from the 1.805 recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, the CPM has remained fairly steady, averaging 1.88. When compared to the 2000s average of 1.94, the current figure is about 0.13 lower. On a global scale, Malta ranks 3rd lowest out of 38 countries for this metric.
Within Europe, it holds the 2nd lowest position among 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. This upward trend has continued over the last five years, with the average maternal age during that period standing at 30.5 years. Compared to the early 2000s, the current figure is 3.8 years higher. On a global scale, Malta holds the 10th position among 38 countries for average maternal age, and within Europe, it ranks 7th out of 31, placing it among the countries with the highest maternal ages in the region.
| 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)
In 2024, Malta’s Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 50.6%, which corresponds to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.02. This figure has increased by 3.2 percentage points since 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 47.1% from 2020 to 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 33.2%, the current rate is about 17.4 percentage points higher. On a global scale, Malta ranks third out of 38 countries with one of the highest TFG levels, while within Europe, it holds the top position among 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
The projected birth pattern for 2024 indicates a significant decline over the coming decades. Total births are expected to reduce from 4,350 in 2024 to 2,175 by 2056, representing a 50% decrease. Looking further ahead, the number of births could shrink by 75% by 2089 and plummet to a 90% decrease, reaching just 435 births by 2131, assuming no migration effects are considered.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Malta’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 43.5%, marking an increase of 3.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has shown an upward trend, averaging 41.6% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 28.7%, the current rate is higher by approximately 14.8 percentage points. Among 38 countries globally, Malta holds the 9th position for childlessness, and within Europe, it ranks 6th out of 31 countries for having one of the highest rates.
| 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 registered 4,350 total births, showing a slight decrease of 107 from the previous year’s 4,457. Throughout the last five years, the number of births has shown a downward trend, with an average annual total of 4,381. This represents a 12.4% rise compared to the average annual births during 2007–2009, which stood at 3,870.
| 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 increase from 2023. This metric has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 standing at 31.1%. When compared to the 2000s average of 36.8%, the current BRI level remains close to that long-term benchmark. On the global stage, Malta ranks 18th among 35 countries, and within Europe, it holds the 15th position out of 30 nations.
| 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.
