Portugal
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Portugal's fertility indicators show subtle shifts in 2024, with a slight rise in average maternal age and a small increase in the birthgap generational indicator, while births and children per mother experienced minor declines. The country maintains one of the lowest children per mother rates in Europe but has seen an upward trend in the age at which women have children.
- The average maternal age increased from 30.15 to 30.62 years, continuing a multi-year upward trend and surpassing the European average.
- Total births decreased slightly by 999 to 84,642, aligning with the ongoing downward trend in children per mother, which fell to 1.80, the lowest in Europe.
- Portugal's birthgap generational indicator (TFG) rose modestly to 31.5%, indicating ongoing challenges with generational replacement despite recent improvements.
- Standardized health life expectancy declined by approximately 2.5 years to 59.8, which may highlight emerging public health or demographic pressures.
In 2024, Portugal shows one of Europe's highest completed fertility rates but the continent's lowest children per mother average.
- Completed fertility rate high at 78.8%, ranked 2nd in Europe
- Children per mother lowest in Europe at 1.80
- Average maternal age rising to 30.6 years, 8th oldest in Europe
- Childlessness rate very low, ranked 30th in Europe
- Societal Half-Life relatively short, ranked 12th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Portugal
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 21.2% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.80 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.6 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 31.5% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 59.8 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 32 |
| Total births (latest year) | 84,642 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In Portugal, the total motherhood rate (TMR) stands at 78.8% in 2024, unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, there has been a gradual increase, with an average TMR of 77.5% between 2020 and 2024. This figure remains significantly below the 1970s average of 105.4%, showing a decrease of roughly 26.6 percentage points. Portugal continues to hold one of the top positions globally, ranking second out of 38 countries, and shares this strong standing within Europe, ranking second among 31 nations.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 100.7% | 2010 | 76.3% |
| 1980 | 96.9% | 2020 | 78.7% |
| 1990 | 78.4% | 2023 | 78.8% |
| 2000 | 84.0% | 2024 | 78.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Portugal’s children per mother (CPM) reached 1.80 in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.04 from the previous year’s 1.84. Over the last five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, averaging 1.82. When placed alongside the 1970s average of 2.60, the current CPM is lower by roughly 0.80. On a global scale, Portugal ranks second out of 38 countries for having one of the lowest children per mother rates.
Within Europe, it holds the position as the country with the lowest CPM among 31 nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.98 | 2010 | 1.82 |
| 1980 | 2.32 | 2020 | 1.80 |
| 1990 | 1.99 | 2023 | 1.84 |
| 2000 | 1.84 | 2024 | 1.80 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth in 2024 has reached 30.62 years, marking an increase of 0.47 years from 2023. Over the last five years, this average has shown a consistent upward trend, peaking at 30.34 years. Compared to the 1970s average of 24.37 years, the current AMA is notably higher by 6.25 years. Among 38 countries worldwide, it stands at the 12th position, while within Europe, it ranks 8th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.79 | 2010 | 28.12 |
| 1980 | 24.02 | 2020 | 30.18 |
| 1990 | 24.89 | 2023 | 30.15 |
| 2000 | 26.47 | 2024 | 30.62 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 31.5% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.42, marking a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has experienced an overall upward trend, averaging 31.8% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s baseline of 0.0%, the current level is approximately 31.5 percentage points higher. Notably, a continuous Generational Birthgap has been observed since 1983. The lowest TFG values appeared during the early 1970s, averaging 0.0% between 1970 and 1979. On the global stage, Portugal holds the 24th position out of 38 countries, while in Europe it ranks 18th among 31 nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.4% |
| 1990 | 24.8% | 2023 | 30.1% |
| 2000 | 25.3% | 2024 | 31.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Portugal’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 59.8 years. It has decreased by 2.5 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 58.8 years. Compared with the 1970s average (76.0 years), SHL is now shorter by about 16.2 years.
Globally, Portugal ranks 13 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 12 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Portugal, there would be 32 great-grandchildren, representing a -68.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Portugal ranks 24 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 18 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
By following the birth trends seen in 2024, the total number of births is projected to halve from 84,642 in that year to 42,321 by 2084. Continuing this trajectory without considering migration, births could further decline by 90%, reaching just 8,464 in the year 2223.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the total childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 21.2%, showing little change from the 2023 figure of 21.2%. Over the past five years, the rate has been on a decline, averaging 22.5% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1970s average of -5.4%, the current rate is approximately 26.6 percentage points higher. Childlessness reached its lowest in the early 2020s, averaging 21.4% from 2022 to 2024. Portugal ranks among the countries with the lowest childlessness rates globally, positioned 37th out of 38, and similarly within Europe, where it stands 30th out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -0.7% | 2010 | 23.7% |
| 1980 | 3.1% | 2020 | 21.3% |
| 1990 | 21.6% | 2023 | 21.2% |
| 2000 | 16.0% | 2024 | 21.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Portugal saw 84,642 births in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 999 births compared to the previous year. Total births have experienced a general upward trend over the last five years, with an average of 83,579 annually. When compared to the 1970s average of 175,482, the current number of births is significantly lower by 90,840, marking a 51.8% decline.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 180.6k | 2010 | 101.3k |
| 1980 | 158.1k | 2020 | 84.5k |
| 1990 | 116.2k | 2023 | 85.6k |
| 2000 | 119.9k | 2024 | 84.6k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, Portugal's Birthgap Retirement Indicator stands at 47.0%, showing a modest increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the BRI has demonstrated an upward trend, averaging 46.2% between 2020 and 2024. This figure is significantly higher than the 1970s average of -69.7%, marking an increase of approximately 116.8 percentage points. On the global stage, Portugal ranks 12th among 35 countries, while within Europe, it holds the 9th position out of 30 nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -136.1% | 2010 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | -42.0% | 2020 | 43.4% |
| 1990 | -2.7% | 2023 | 46.2% |
| 2000 | 7.5% | 2024 | 47.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
