Turkey
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Turkey experienced a notable decline in completed permanent motherhood rate, dropping from 40.4% in 2023 to 38.0% in 2024, reversing a recent upward trend. Meanwhile, the average number of children per mother decreased more sharply, from 2.535 to 2.385, continuing a longer-term downward trend that remains high by European standards. The average maternal age rose slightly, reflecting a gradual delay in childbearing.
- The total fertility gap (TFG) increased modestly to 28.6%, indicating a slight rise in generational fertility replacement deficit compared to the previous year.
- Despite declines in childbearing rates, Turkey maintains one of Europe's highest children per mother ratios, although it is falling from previous highs.
- The average age at childbearing rose slightly to 27.3 years but remains low compared to European averages, ranking Turkey near the bottom regionally.
In 2024, Turkey shows a notably high children per mother rate but low maternal age and modest fertility retention compared to European averages.
- Highest children per mother in Europe (2.38)
- One of the lowest mean ages at childbearing in Europe (27.3 years)
- Total fertility completion below European average (62%)
- Rising lifetime childlessness rate, ranking 11th lowest in Europe
- Births projected to halve by 2084 under current trends
Key fertility indicators — Turkey
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 38.0% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.38 |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 28.6% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 60.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 36 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total motherhood prevalence (TMR) in Turkey reached 62.0%, marking an increase of 2.4 percentage points from 2023's 59.6%. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the TMR has shown a downward trend, averaging 62.5%. This figure stands noticeably lower—by approximately 7.8 percentage points—compared to the 2010s average of 69.8%. On the global stage, Turkey holds the 24th position out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it ranks 22nd among 31 nations.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 64.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 59.6%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 62.0% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Children per mother (CPM)
Turkey's children per mother (CPM) stood at 2.385 in 2024, marking a notable decrease of 0.15 from the previous year. Over the past five years, the CPM trend has been on a decline, with an average of 2.5774. Compared to the 2010s average of 2.7515, the current figure is about 0.37 lower. Between 2022 and 2024, the minimum three-year average CPM was 2.5063, while the highest, 2.7323, occurred from 2018 to 2020. On the global stage, Turkey ranks 37th out of 38 countries in CPM, holding the highest rate in Europe at 31st out of 31 nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.69 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.54* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.38 |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age in Turkey reached 27.26 years, reflecting an increase of 0.34 years from 2023. During the last five years, the average maternal age has steadily climbed, with a mean value of 26.82 years. This figure is 0.9 years higher than the average recorded in the 2010s. Internationally, Turkey ranks near the bottom for average maternal age, standing 37th out of 38 countries worldwide. Within the European region, it holds one of the lowest positions, ranking 30th among 31 nations.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 26.52 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 26.92* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 27.26 |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 28.6% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.48. This marks a slight increase from 2023, up by 1.5 percentage points. Over the latest five years (2020–2024), the indicator has shown a rising trend, averaging 22.2%. When compared to the average in the 2010s, which was 7.2%, the current figure is higher by approximately 21.4 percentage points. On the global stage, Turkey ranks 34th out of 38 countries for TFG levels and holds the 28th position among 31 European nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 15.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.1%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 28.6% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Turkey’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 60.2 years. It has decreased by 3.3 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 84.5 years. Compared with the 2010s average (314.0 years), SHL is now shorter by about 253.8 years.
Globally, Turkey ranks 12 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 11 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Turkey, there would be 36 great-grandchildren, representing a -64.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Turkey has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 34/38). Within Europe, it has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 28/31).
Birth trajectory
Following the birth trends observed in 2024, the total number of births in Turkey is projected to decline significantly over the coming centuries. By 2084, births are expected to decrease from 937,559 to about 468,780, marking a 50% reduction. This downward trajectory continues, with a 75% decline anticipated by 2144 and a substantial 90% drop to 93,756 births by 2224. These estimates are calculated without considering any migration effects.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Turkey's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 38.0% in 2024, marking a decrease of 2.4 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years spanning 2020 to 2024, the TCR has shown an upward trend, averaging 37.5%. This recent level is notably higher than the 2010s average of 30.2%, exceeding it by approximately 7.8 percentage points. On the global stage, Turkey holds the 16th position out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 11th among 31 nations.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 40.4%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 38.0% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Total births
In 2024, Turkey recorded 937,559 total births, which represents a decrease of 24,007 compared to the previous year. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average of 1,022,719 annually during this period. This is notably lower than the average of 1,204,202 births in the 2010s, reflecting a decline of 266,643 births, or 22.1%, from that decade.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 1.10M |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 961.6k* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 937.6k |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Turkey's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 18.8% in 2024, marking a notable increase of 5.8 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the indicator has shown a consistent upward trend, averaging 3.0% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to its 2010s average of -42.1%, the current level is higher by roughly 60.9 percentage points. On the global stage, Turkey ranks 33rd out of 35 countries in terms of BRI, placing it among the lowest. Similarly, within Europe, it holds the 29th position out of 30, reflecting one of the region's lowest values for this metric.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | -11.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 13.0%* |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 18.8% |
Source: Eurostat. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Turkstat.
