Switzerland
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Switzerland’s demographic indicators in 2024 show a slight decline in total maternal rate (TMR) to 64.3%, down 1.6 percentage points from the previous year, continuing a gradual downward trend since 2020. Meanwhile, the average maternal age increased noticeably by half a year to 31.8, positioning Switzerland among the countries with the oldest mothers globally. The children per mother metric remains stable at just about 2.0 after several years of stability.
- Total fertility growth (TFG) rose by 2 percentage points in 2024, reversing some previous declines and marking a higher-than-1990s baseline rate of 37.7%.
- The total conceptions rate (TCR) edged up slightly to 35.7%, continuing a slow upward trend observed over the past five years.
- Despite a small drop in total births to 78,256, the average maternal age has steadily increased by over three years since the 1990s, suggesting delayed childbearing.
- Switzerland’s children per mother rate remains below the 1990s average, indicating a modest long-term trend toward fewer births per woman.
In 2024, Switzerland shows stable children per mother but a rising average maternal age, with fertility rates slightly declining over recent years.
- Children per mother steady at 2.00, ranking 9th in Europe
- Average maternal age high at 31.8 years, 4th highest in Europe
- Total fertility growth rising, ranked 10th in Europe
- Shrinking support generation signals a 76% drop in great-grandchildren
- Births expected to fall by half by 2073 without migration
Key fertility indicators — Switzerland
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 64.3% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 35.7% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.00 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.8 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 24 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024 stands at 64.3%, showing a slight decrease of 1.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the trend has been downward, with an average TMR of 68.7% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1990s average of 65.3%, the current figure is approximately 1.0 percentage point lower.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 76.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 71.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 65.9% |
| 2000 | 73.1% | 2024 | 64.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Switzerland's children per mother (CPM) reached 2.005 in 2024, showing a slight decrease from the 2.021 recorded in 2023. Over the past five years, the figure has generally remained steady, with an average of 2.035. Compared to the 1990s average of 2.17, the current CPM is approximately 0.16 lower. This indicates a modest decline in the number of children per mother over the decades.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.00 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.04 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.02 |
| 2000 | 2.05 | 2024 | 2.00 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age at birth reached 31.8 years in 2024, marking an increase of 0.5 years from 2023. This upward trend has continued over the past five years, with the average maternal age during that period at 31.3 years. Compared to the 1990s, the current figure is 3.4 years higher. Switzerland consistently ranks among the countries with the highest average maternal ages globally and in Europe, positioned at 5 out of 38 worldwide and 4 out of 31 within the continent.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.99 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.09 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 31.31 |
| 2000 | 28.43 | 2024 | 31.82 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Switzerland stands at 37.7%, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.29. This figure marks an increase of 2.0 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has shown an upward trend, averaging 32.5% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the 1990s average of 31.6%, the current level is about 6.1 percentage points higher. The indicator hit its lowest point during 2014–2016, averaging 25.5%. On a global scale, Switzerland ranks 15th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it is 10th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.4% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 35.7% |
| 2000 | 27.7% | 2024 | 37.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Switzerland’s SHL stands at 49.5 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 2.8 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 59.9 years. Compared with the 1990s average (55.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 6.3 years.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 23 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 21 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Switzerland, there would be 24 great-grandchildren, representing a -76.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Switzerland ranks 15 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 10 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
The 2024 birth trend indicates a substantial decline in total births, projected to decrease from 78,256 in that year to 39,128 by 2073, marking a 50% reduction. This downward trajectory continues, with births expected to drop by 75% by 2123, and further diminish by 90% to 7,826 by 2188, assuming no migration effects. These milestones highlight a significant fall in birth numbers over the coming decades.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the childlessness rate (TCR) in Switzerland reached 35.7%, showing a slight increase of 1.6 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the last five years from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has been trending upwards, averaging 31.3%. This figure is about 1.0 percentage point higher than the average recorded in the 1990s, which was 34.7%. On the global stage, Switzerland holds the 23rd position out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it ranks 16th among 31 countries.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 23.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 28.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 34.1% |
| 2000 | 26.9% | 2024 | 35.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Switzerland recorded 78,256 total births in 2024, which is 1,706 fewer than in 2023. The past five years have seen a decline in total births, with an average annual count of 83,206. This recent figure is near the long-term average from the 1990s, which stood at 77,827.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 80.3k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 85.9k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 80.0k |
| 2000 | 78.5k | 2024 | 78.3k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, Switzerland's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) stands at 35.1%, showing only a slight increase from 34.8% in 2023. The average BRI over the past five years, spanning 2020 to 2024, is 33.4%, reflecting a rising trend during that period. Compared to the 1990s average of 19.1%, the current value is up by approximately 16.1 percentage points. On the global stage, Switzerland holds the 20th position among 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 17th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 31.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 33.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 34.8% |
| 2000 | 20.5% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
