Norway
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Norway experiences a slight increase in total maternal rate to 63.6% in 2024, reversing a longer-term decline from the 1970s. Average maternal age continues to rise, reaching 30.4 years, highlighting ongoing shifts in family planning and childbirth timing. There is a small dip in lifetime childlessness to 36.4%, yet the overall trend over recent years has been upward, reflecting changing demographics.
- Total births rose modestly by 2,047, reaching 54,013 in 2024, indicating slight growth in population renewal.
- Cohort parity mean increased slightly to 2.27 children per woman, though it remains below 1970s levels, suggesting smaller family sizes.
- The proportion of mothers with three or more children rose by 2.1 percentage points, pointing to a mild shift toward larger families within the context of overall lower fertility.
- Despite minor fluctuations, the generational birth gap persists, with Norway maintaining a high childlessness rate compared to the 1970s, underscoring broader societal changes in reproductive behavior.
In 2024, Norway shows moderate maternal fertility rates with a shift toward older motherhood and rising childlessness.
- Total maternal rate slightly below European average, ranked 18th in Europe
- Average children per mother relatively high in Europe, ranked 25th
- Average maternal age at birth among the highest in Europe, ranked 12th
- Childlessness rate rising, placing Norway 14th in Europe
- Future births projected to decline sharply, with total births down 50% by 2087
Key fertility indicators — Norway
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.6% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.4% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.4 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 34 |
| Total births (latest year) | 54,013 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) reached 63.6% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 0.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the five years leading to 2024, the TMR has shown a downward trend, averaging 64.0%. This figure is notably lower than the 83.2% average observed during the 1970s, reflecting a decrease of approximately 19.6 percentage points. On the global stage, Norway holds the 19th position out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 18th out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 91.9% | 2010 | 86.0% |
| 1980 | 71.4% | 2020 | 64.4% |
| 1990 | 81.6% | 2023 | 62.8% |
| 2000 | 77.2% | 2024 | 63.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the number of children per mother in Norway stands at 2.27, showing a modest increase of 0.03 from 2023. Although it has risen slightly recently, the five-year trend has been downward, with an average of 2.28 children per mother during that period. Compared to the 1970s average of 2.50, this figure is now about 0.22 lower. On a global scale, Norway is 31st among 38 countries, yet within Europe, it counts among the higher rates, ranked 25th out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.73 | 2010 | 2.26 |
| 1980 | 2.41 | 2020 | 2.29 |
| 1990 | 2.37 | 2023 | 2.25 |
| 2000 | 2.40 | 2024 | 2.27 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 30.4 years in 2024, showing a small increase of 0.1 years from the previous year. Over the last five years, the AMA has steadily climbed, with an average of 30.1 years during this period. This figure is 6.8 years greater than the average in the 1970s. On a global scale, Norway holds the 17th position among 38 countries.
Within Europe, it ranks 12th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.49 | 2010 | 28.01 |
| 1980 | 24.16 | 2020 | 29.82 |
| 1990 | 25.59 | 2023 | 30.28 |
| 2000 | 26.89 | 2024 | 30.39 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, Norway's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 30.1%, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.45. This is a slight decline of 1.7 percentage points compared to the previous year’s figure. Over the last five years, the average TFG has increased to 29.5%, reflecting a steady rise in childlessness. When compared to the 1970s average of 5.9%, the current level is higher by approximately 24.2 percentage points. Since 1975, Norway has consistently exhibited a Generational Birthgap. The country recorded its lowest TFG of 0.0% during the early 1970s (1970–1974). On the global stage, Norway is ranked 30th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it holds the 24th position out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 6.0% |
| 1980 | 16.8% | 2020 | 28.7% |
| 1990 | 6.7% | 2023 | 31.8% |
| 2000 | 10.6% | 2024 | 30.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Norway’s SHL stands at 62.7 years years in 2024. It has increased by 4.3 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 64.3 years. Compared with the 1970s average (206.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 144.1 years.
Globally, Norway ranks 8 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 7/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Norway, there would be 34 great-grandchildren, representing a -66.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Norway ranks 30 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 24 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
The birth pattern observed in 2024 suggests a significant decline in total births over the coming centuries. Starting from 54,013 births in 2024, the number is projected to halve by 2087, reaching approximately 27,006. Further into the future, births are expected to decrease by 75% by 2149, and by 2232, they could drop by as much as 90%, falling to around 5,401. These projections assume no migration influence.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Norway's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 36.4% in 2024, marking a slight decrease of 0.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has generally been on the rise, averaging 36.0%. When compared to the average of the 1970s, which was 16.8%, the current rate is higher by roughly 19.6 percentage points. Among 38 countries worldwide, Norway holds the 20th position, while within Europe, it ranks 14th out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 8.1% | 2010 | 14.0% |
| 1980 | 28.6% | 2020 | 35.6% |
| 1990 | 18.4% | 2023 | 37.2% |
| 2000 | 22.8% | 2024 | 36.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Norway saw 54,013 births in 2024, marking an increase of 2,047 from the previous year. Throughout the last five years, total births have followed a rising trend, averaging 53,293 annually. When compared to the 1970s average of 57,913.5 births, the current figure is 3,901 fewer, representing a 6.7% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 64.5k | 2010 | 61.4k |
| 1980 | 51.0k | 2020 | 53.0k |
| 1990 | 60.9k | 2023 | 52.0k |
| 2000 | 59.2k | 2024 | 54.0k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Norway's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 27.6% in 2024, showing a decrease of 4.6 percentage points from 2023. Looking at the last five years, the average BRI is 29.8%, reflecting a downward trend. When compared to the 1970s average of -20.1%, the current figure is approximately 47.7 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Norway holds the 26th position among 35 countries, while within Europe it ranks 23rd out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -37.0% | 2010 | 5.4% |
| 1980 | -22.7% | 2020 | 31.1% |
| 1990 | -45.4% | 2023 | 32.2% |
| 2000 | 1.6% | 2024 | 27.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
