Austria
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Austria's 2024 reproductive trends reveal a subtle decline in total maternal rate to 63.4%, continuing a downward trajectory seen over the past five years and marking a point modestly below its 1980s average. Despite this, lifetime childlessness has inched upward to 36.6%, maintaining a rising path over recent years. Meanwhile, the average age of mothers at childbirth continues to climb, reflecting demographic shifts towards later parenthood.
- The total maternal rate fell by 1.0 percentage point from 2023 to 2024, now below the 1980s average by about 3.6 percentage points.
- Lifetime childlessness increased by 1.0 percentage point, with a five-year average rising trend compared to the 1980s level.
- Average maternal age rose by 0.5 years to 30.4 years, nearly six years higher than the 1980s baseline.
- Austria's completed parity mean remains steady at 2.06 children, slightly below its 1980s figure, while total fertility grew modestly to 36.8%.
In 2024, Austria’s total maternal rate and children per mother show slight declines, with a rising average maternal age and increasing childlessness.
- Total maternal rate at 63.4%, slightly below Europe’s average, ranked 19th in Europe
- Children per mother steady at 2.06, ranking 12th in Europe
- Average maternal age increased to 30.4 years, 10th oldest in Europe
- Lifetime childlessness rose to 36.6%, ranking 13th in Europe
- Total fertility gap implies a 75% drop in great-grandchildren without migration
Key fertility indicators — Austria
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.4% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.6% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.4 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 49.0 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 25 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 63.4%. It is marginally lower than 2023 (down 1.0pp). Looking at the last five years, the TMR has been falling (average 67.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the 1980s average (67.0%), Austria is now lower by about 3.6pp. TMR was at its lowest in the mid 1980s (1985–1987), averaging 66.5%.
Globally, Austria ranks 21 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 19 out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 69.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 69.4% |
| 1990 | 67.1% | 2023 | 64.4% |
| 2000 | 65.1% | 2024 | 63.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Austria’s CPM is 2.06 in 2024. There is little change compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.06). Against the 1980s baseline (2.18), CPM is currently lower by about 0.12.
Globally, Austria ranks 15 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 12 out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.09 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.07 |
| 1990 | 2.17 | 2023 | 2.04 |
| 2000 | 2.09 | 2024 | 2.06 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.4 years. It has risen by 0.5 years compared with the previous year. Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 30.0 years. It is now 5.9 years higher than the 1980s average.
Globally, Austria ranks 15 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 10 out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 28.23 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.71 |
| 1990 | 24.97 | 2023 | 29.90 |
| 2000 | 26.39 | 2024 | 30.42 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
Austria’s TFG is 36.8% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.31). It shows little movement compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, the TCR has been rising (average 32.9% across 2020–2024). Against the 1980s baseline (29.4%), the current rate is higher by about 7.4pp. Austria saw its lowest TFG in the early 1990s (1991–1993), at 27.3%.
Globally, Austria ranks 16 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 11 out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.7% |
| 1990 | 29.6% | 2023 | 36.5% |
| 2000 | 34.1% | 2024 | 36.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Austria’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 49.0 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 56.1 years. Compared with the 1980s average (52.9 years), SHL is now shorter by about 3.9 years.
Globally, Austria ranks 24 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 22 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Austria, there would be 25 great-grandchildren, representing a -75.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Austria ranks 16 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 11 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2073 - Births down 75% in 2122 - Births down 90% in 2187
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 77,238 in 2024 to 38,619 in 2073, and by 90% to 7,724 in 2187 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Austria’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) is 36.6%. It has edged up from 2023 (up 1.0pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 32.5%. Compared with the 1980s norm (33.0%), today’s level is higher by about 3.6pp. The lowest point was in the mid 2010s (2015–2017), averaging 27.4%.
Globally, Austria ranks 18 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 13 out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 30.6% |
| 1990 | 32.9% | 2023 | 35.6% |
| 2000 | 34.9% | 2024 | 36.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Total births in Austria were 77,238 in 2024. It is little change from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 81,413 per year. Compared with the 1980s average (87,808), total births are now lower by 10,570 births (12.0% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 78.7k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 83.6k |
| 1990 | 90.4k | 2023 | 77.6k |
| 2000 | 78.3k | 2024 | 77.2k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Austria stands at 35.6% (2024). It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.0pp). Over the past five years, BRI has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 37.1%. Compared with the 1980s norm (-13.7%), today’s BRI is higher by about 49.3pp.
Globally, Austria ranks 19 out of 35 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 16 out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 37.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.2% |
| 1990 | 23.0% | 2023 | 38.6% |
| 2000 | 23.5% | 2024 | 35.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
