Slovenia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2023, Slovenia experienced a notable rise in the proportion of women who remain childless, reaching nearly 28%, a significant increase from the previous year and surpassing its historical averages. Despite a slight uptick in completed fertility rates, the total maternal rate continues to decline, reflecting a complex demographic trend. Life expectancy also saw a substantial decrease, diverging from previous years' stability.
- The lifetime childlessness rate increased by 2.7 percentage points from 2022 to 27.9%, indicating a continuing upward trend in women having no children.
- Completed fertility (TMR) dropped by 2.7 percentage points to 72.1%, maintaining Slovenia's position with the lowest rate both globally and within Europe.
- Average maternal age at birth inched up slightly to 29.7 years, remaining the lowest in global and European rankings.
- Healthy life expectancy decreased markedly by over 5.5 years, suggesting a recent decline in population health outcomes.
In 2023, Slovenia had the lowest fertility and maternal age levels in Europe, alongside marked long-term declines across several birth metrics.
- Lowest total maternal replacement rate in Europe
- Average maternal age ranks lowest continent-wide
- Rising lifetime childlessness over recent years
- Two-child motherhood falling while three-plus increases
- Sharp projected declines in birth numbers by 2250
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)
The total motherhood rate in Slovenia stands at 0.721 in 2023, reflecting a decrease of 0.027 from the previous year. This downward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average TMR between 2019 and 2023 at 0.754. Compared to the 1980s average of 0.814, there has been a decline of approximately 0.093. Historical lows were recorded between 1997 and 1999, when the TMR averaged 0.602. Slovenia currently holds the lowest TMR among its European counterparts, ranking 31st out of 31, and it is also ranked last globally, 38th out of 38.
| 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)
In 2023, the average number of children per mother in Slovenia reached 2.085, showing a slight increase of 0.026 from the previous year. The five-year trend reveals a generally stable pattern, with an average CPM of 2.0834 during this period. Current figures closely align with the levels observed in the 1980s, which averaged 2.06 children per mother.
| 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 little change from 29.63 years in 2022. This figure has been on an upward trend over the last five years, with a recent average of 29.5 years. Compared to the 1980s, the AMA has increased by 6.5 years, reflecting a steady rise over the decades. Notably, Slovenia's average maternal age remains the lowest both globally and within Europe, holding the 38th and 31st positions respectively in those rankings.
| 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, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.50. This reflects a slight increase of 1.8 percentage points compared to 2022. Over the past five years, the indicator has shown an upward trend, averaging 24.1% from 2019 to 2023. When compared to the average of the 1980s, which stood at 19.0%, the current figure is approximately 8.4 percentage points higher. Despite this improvement, Slovenia holds the lowest TFG among both global and European countries, ranking 38th out of 38 worldwide and 31st out of 31 in Europe.
| 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
The birth pattern observed in 2023 suggests that total births, starting from 16,985 that year, would decrease by half to 8,492 by 2092, and continue to decline to just 1,698 by 2251, representing a 90% drop (not accounting for migration). These projections mark key milestones: a 50% reduction by 2092, 75% by 2160, and 90% by 2251.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Slovenia's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 27.9% in 2023, showing an increase of 2.7 percentage points from 2022. The trend over the past five years points upward, with an average rate of 24.6% from 2019 to 2023. Compared to the 1980s average of 18.6%, the current figure is higher by roughly 9.3 percentage points. Among global comparisons, the country holds the lowest childlessness rate, ranking 38th out of 38. Similarly, within Europe, it ranks last at 31st out of 31 in terms of lifetime childlessness.
| 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 registered 16,985 total births in 2023, marking a slight decrease from the 17,625 births recorded in 2022. Looking at the recent trend, total births have been declining over the last five years, with an average of 18,335 births annually. When compared to the average annual births during the 1980s, which stood at 25,598, current birth numbers have dropped by 8,613, representing a 33.6% reduction.
| 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 2022. The indicator has shown an upward trend over the last five years, with the 2019–2023 average at 37.6%. Compared to the 1980s average of -6.6%, the current BRI is higher by roughly 50.6 percentage points. The lowest recorded BRI occurred between 1983 and 1985, at -8.9%. Among global figures, Slovenia ranks last with the lowest BRI value (35th out of 35), and it also holds the lowest position within Europe (30th out of 30).
| 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.
