Slovenia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Slovenia continues to show demographic patterns distinct from broader European trends, with a notable increase in the share of adults who remain childless, rising by 2.7 percentage points in 2023 to 27.9%. This upward shift follows a steady rise over recent years, highlighting ongoing changes in family formation and fertility behavior.
- Total fertility among mothers declined slightly to 72.1% in 2023, marking a continuation of a downward trend since the 1980s when levels were higher by over 9 percentage points.
- The average number of children per mother remains stable near historical norms at about 2.08 children, closely mirroring 1980s figures despite other fertility shifts.
- Average maternal age has inched up slightly to 29.7 years, yet Slovenia still ranks lowest in Europe for this measure, reflecting relatively younger mothers compared to the region.
In 2023, Slovenia featured the lowest fertility and youngest maternal age in Europe amid ongoing population decline concerns.
- Lowest total motherhood rate in Europe
- Youngest average maternal age in Europe
- Rising lifetime childlessness rate
- Stable total children per mother near long-term average
- Shortest societal half-life globally
Key fertility indicators — Slovenia
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 27.9% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 29.7 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 68.6 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 38 |
| Total births (latest year) | 16,985 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Slovenia stood at 72.1% in 2023, marking a decrease of 2.7 percentage points from 2022. The total motherhood prevalence rate has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with the average from 2019 to 2023 at 75.4%. Compared to the average of the 1980s, which was 81.4%, the current rate is about 9.3 percentage points lower. The lowest recorded three-year period was between 1997 and 1999, with an average of 60.2%. Slovenia holds the lowest TMR both globally and within Europe, ranking 38th out of 38 countries worldwide and 31st out of 31 in Europe.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 78.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 76.7% |
| 1990 | 71.1% | 2022 | 74.8% |
| 2000 | 63.4% | 2023 | 72.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The children per mother (CPM) rate in Slovenia reached 2.085 in 2023, showing a slight increase of 0.026 from the previous year, 2022. Throughout the last five years, this figure has remained relatively steady, with an average of 2.0834. When compared to the average from the 1980s, which was 2.0597, the current CPM remains very close to that historical level.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.00 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.06 |
| 1990 | 2.06 | 2022 | 2.06 |
| 2000 | 1.98 | 2023 | 2.08 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 29.7 years in 2023, showing only a slight increase from 29.6 years in 2022. Over the last five years, this trend has been upward, with the average standing at 29.5 years. Compared to the 1980s, the AMA is now 6.5 years older, reflecting a steady rise over recent decades. Slovenia records the lowest average maternal age both globally and within Europe.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.41 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.64 |
| 1990 | 23.72 | 2022 | 29.63 |
| 2000 | 26.46 | 2023 | 29.68 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Slovenia reached 27.4% in 2023, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.50. This represents a modest increase of 1.8 percentage points compared to 2022. Over the past five years, the TFG has shown an upward trend, averaging 24.1% from 2019 to 2023. When compared to the 1980s average of 19.0%, the current figure is approximately 8.4 percentage points higher. Despite this increase, Slovenia holds the lowest TFG level globally, ranking last at 38 out of 38 countries, and also has the lowest TFG level within Europe, positioned 31st out of 31 nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 23.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 23.6% |
| 1990 | 29.4% | 2022 | 25.6% |
| 2000 | 39.2% | 2023 | 27.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2023, Slovenia’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 68.6 years. It has decreased by 5.5 years compared with 2022. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 80.0 years. Compared with the 1980s average (87.0 years), SHL is now shorter by about 18.4 years.
Globally, Slovenia has the shortest Societal Half-Life (ranked 38/38).Within Europe, Slovenia has the shortest SHL value (ranked 31/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Slovenia, there would be 38 great-grandchildren, representing a -62.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Slovenia has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 38/38). Within Europe, Slovenia has the lowest TGI drop (ranked 31/31).
Birth trajectory
If the birth trends observed in 2023 continue, the total number of births is projected to decrease significantly over the coming decades. Starting from 16,985 births in 2023, the birth count would drop by half to 8,492 by 2092. Looking further ahead, the number is expected to decline by 90% to reach just 1,698 births by 2251, assuming migration does not influence population changes.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Slovenia's lifetime childlessness rate reached 27.9% in 2023, marking an increase of 2.7 percentage points from 2022. The trend over the last five years shows a rising pattern, with the 2019–2023 average at 24.6%. Compared to the 1980s average of 18.6%, the current rate is approximately 9.3 percentage points higher. Among European countries, Slovenia holds the position with the lowest childlessness rate, ranked 31 out of 31, and similarly, it is ranked last globally at 38 out of 38.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 21.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 23.3% |
| 1990 | 28.9% | 2022 | 25.2% |
| 2000 | 36.6% | 2023 | 27.9% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Slovenia saw 16,985 total births in 2023, a slight decline from 17,625 in 2022. The number of births has been decreasing over the last five years, with an average annual figure of 18,335. When compared to the 1980s average of 25,598 births, the current total is down by 8,613 births, reflecting a 33.6% drop.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 22.3k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 18.8k |
| 1990 | 22.4k | 2022 | 17.6k |
| 2000 | 18.2k | 2023 | 17.0k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Slovenia's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 44.0% in 2023, marking an increase of 3.8 percentage points from the previous year. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with the average from 2019 to 2023 at 37.6%. Compared to the 1980s average of -6.6%, the current rate is approximately 50.6 percentage points higher. The lowest recorded BRI occurred between 1983 and 1985, at -8.9%. On a global scale, Slovenia holds the lowest BRI value among 35 countries, and similarly, it ranks last out of 30 European countries.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.6% |
| 1990 | 6.4% | 2022 | 40.2% |
| 2000 | 35.1% | 2023 | 44.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
