Montenegro
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Montenegro’s 2009 data reveals a slight rise in the lifetime childlessness rate to 18.7% from the previous year, breaking a recent five-year downward trend. Meanwhile, the total maternal fertility rate continues its gradual decline, now at 81.3%. Notably, Montenegro maintains the lowest average maternal age in Europe, under 27 years, reflecting early motherhood patterns persisting over recent years.
- The total fertility rate (TFR) decreased modestly to 0.813, down from 0.827 in 2008, continuing a slow downward trend.
- Average maternal age remains stable at 26.3 years, the lowest across European countries, indicating younger motherhood ages.
- Completed fertility measures suggest Montenegro holds the lowest levels among European nations, with a 9.2% birthgap generational indicator, slightly reduced from the prior year.
- Despite slight recent increases, Montenegro sustains one of the lowest childlessness rates in Europe, at 18.7%, reflecting a comparatively higher prevalence of motherhood.
In 2009, Montenegro had the lowest fertility and related demographic rates in Europe, with notably young mothers and shrinking generational replacement.
- Lowest total maternal replacement (TMR) in Europe
- Youngest average maternal age in Europe (26.3 years)
- Lowest birthgap generational indicator (TFG) in Europe
- Lowest lifetime childlessness rate in Europe
- Shortest societal half-life (SHL) globally
Key fertility indicators — Montenegro
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 18.7% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 26.3 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 9.2% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 75 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2009, completed fertility among mothers in Montenegro stood at 81.3%, showing a slight decrease of 1.4 percentage points from 2008. Over the five years from 2005 to 2009, total mother replacement (TMR) has been on an upward trend, averaging 75.0%. This figure represents an increase of approximately 6.3 percentage points compared to the 2000s average, which was also 75.0%. When viewed globally, Montenegro holds the lowest TMR, ranking 38th out of 38 countries.
Within Europe, it also has the lowest level, ranking 31st out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 82.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 81.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2009, the number of children per mother in Montenegro reached 2.31, showing a slight increase of 0.06 from the previous year, 2008. Over the past five years, this figure has generally declined, with an average of 2.38 during that period. When compared to the average value for the 2000s, which stands at 2.38, the most recent level is lower by roughly 0.07.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 2.25 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 2.31 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age at birth in Montenegro was 26.3 years in 2009, showing little change from 26.4 in 2008. During the last five years, the average has held steady around 26.2 years, maintaining a level consistent with the entire 2000s period. From 2007 to 2009, the average maternal age slightly peaked at about 26.34 years, following a brief low between 2005 and 2007 at approximately 26.17 years. This figure places Montenegro as having the lowest average maternal age both globally, ranked 38th out of 38, and within Europe, ranked last among 31 countries.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 26.40 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 26.34 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stood at 9.2% in 2009, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.88. This marks a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points from 2008. Over the recent five-year span from 2005 to 2009, the TFG has been on a downward trend, averaging 14.0%. Compared to the average for the 2000s, which is also 14.0%, the current figure is about 4.8 percentage points lower. Within the global context, Montenegro registers the lowest TFG level, placing 38th out of 38 countries, and similarly holds the lowest rank (31st of 31) in Europe.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 10.0% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 9.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Montenegro’s SHL stands at 202.9 years years in 2009. It has increased by 16.1 years compared with 2008. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 142.7 years. Compared with the 2000s average (142.7 years), SHL is now longer by about 60.2 years.
Globally, Montenegro has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).Within Europe, Montenegro has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Montenegro, there would be 75 great-grandchildren, representing a -25.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Montenegro has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Montenegro has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
The birth trajectory in 2009 indicated a steep decline in total births over time. Starting from 8,204 births in 2009, projections show a 50% decrease by the year 2212, bringing the number down to 4,102. This downward trend continues, with births expected to drop by 75% by 2415 and to fall by 90% by 2683, reaching just 820 births. These figures do not take migration into account.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Montenegro's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) was 18.7% in 2009, marking a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points compared to 2008. Over the past five years, the rate has been declining, averaging 25.0% from 2005 to 2009. When compared with the 2000s average of 25.0%, the current figure is approximately 6.3 percentage points lower. Among all countries worldwide, Montenegro holds the lowest childlessness rate, positioned 38th out of 38. In the European context, it also ranks last, coming in 31st out of 31 countries.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 17.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 18.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
In 2009, Montenegro recorded 8,204 total births, showing a slight increase from 8,137 the previous year. The number of births has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with an average of 7,764 annually. When compared to the 2000s average of 7,764 births, the latest figure represents a 5.7% rise.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 8,137 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 8,204 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2009, the Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Montenegro stood at 9.0%, marking an increase of 2.8 percentage points from 2008. Over the latest five-year span from 2005 to 2009, the BRI has been on a downward trend, averaging 12.9%. This figure is also about 3.8 percentage points lower than the average observed throughout the 2000s. Among all countries worldwide, Montenegro holds the lowest BRI, ranking 35th out of 35, and within Europe, it is similarly ranked last at 30th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2008 | 6.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2009 | 9.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 2000 | n/a | 2020 | n/a |
Source: Eurostat.