Canada
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Canada's demographic profile in 2024 shows a slight increase in total births with 365,737 births, marking a notable rise from the previous year. Despite this increase, the total maternal rate remains stable at 56.6%, continuing a long-term decline from historical highs in the 1970s. Rising average maternal age and sustained high levels of childlessness characterize the country’s recent trends.
- Total births increased by approximately 14,000 from 2023, reversing recent downward trends in raw birth counts.
- Average maternal age reached 30.5 years, up slightly, reflecting a continuing pattern of delayed childbearing over recent decades.
- Lifetime childlessness remains high at 43.4%, considerably above the 1970s average, with minimal year-over-year change.
- The generational birthgap indicator is steady near 39.6%, reinforcing the persistence of smaller contemporary family sizes compared to past generations.
In 2024, Canada shows a stable but declining fertility rate with increasing maternal age and high childlessness continuing long-term trends.
- Total maternal rate (56.6%) below global average, ranked 29/38 countries
- Average maternal age oldest in 13/38 countries at 30.5 years
- Lifetime childlessness high at 43.4%, ranking 10th globally
- Birthgap indicator remains large, consistently above 35%, ranked 12th worldwide
- Low birthrate index places Canada near the lowest globally, ranked 32/35
Key fertility indicators — Canada
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 56.6% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 43.4% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.5 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 39.6% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 44.6 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 22 |
| Total births (latest year) | 365,737 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total motherhood prevalence rate (TMR) in Canada stands at 56.6%, showing a negligible change from the previous year’s 56.8%. Over the last five years, from 2020 to 2024, the TMR has been on a downward trend, averaging 58.6%. Compared to the average of the 1970s, which was 75.8%, the current rate has declined by approximately 19.2 percentage points. The lowest TMR was observed in the early 2000s, specifically between 2000 and 2002, with an average of 68.3%. On a global scale, Canada ranks 29th among 38 countries in this metric.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 83.7% | 2010 | 71.4% |
| 1980 | 73.3% | 2020 | 60.7% |
| 1990 | 77.7% | 2023 | 56.8% |
| 2000 | 68.3% | 2024 | 56.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the children per mother (CPM) figure for Canada stands at 2.21, showing a slight decrease from 2.21 in 2023. Examining the trend over the past five years, CPM has been on a downward path, with an average of 2.27. Compared to the 1970s average of 2.48, the current CPM is approximately 0.28 lower.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.76 | 2010 | 2.30 |
| 1980 | 2.29 | 2020 | 2.32 |
| 1990 | 2.21 | 2023 | 2.21 |
| 2000 | 2.21 | 2024 | 2.21* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) in Canada reached 30.47 years in 2024, marking a slight increase of about 0.18 years from 2023. This upward trend has continued over the last five years, with a five-year average of approximately 30.16 years. Compared to the 1970s, when the average maternal age was 24.24 years, the current figure is about 6.2 years higher.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.70 | 2010 | 28.37 |
| 1980 | 24.90 | 2020 | 29.79 |
| 1990 | 25.90 | 2023 | 30.29 |
| 2000 | 27.11 | 2024 | 30.47* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
As of 2024, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 39.6%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.25. This figure remains largely unchanged from 2023, which recorded a TFG of 39.3%. Over the last five years, there has been a rising trend in childlessness, with the average TFG for 2020–2024 at 35.8%. Compared to the 1970s average of 10.4%, the current level is higher by approximately 29.2 percentage points. The country has experienced a continuous generational birthgap since 1972. The lowest recorded TFG occurred in the early 1990s, between 1990 and 1992, averaging 17.2%. On the global stage, it ranks 12th out of 38 countries measured.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 20.5% |
| 1980 | 18.9% | 2020 | 32.1% |
| 1990 | 17.2% | 2023 | 39.3% |
| 2000 | 27.1% | 2024 | 39.6%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Canada’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 44.6 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 50.9 years. Compared with the 1970s average (196.3 years), SHL is now shorter by about 151.7 years.
Globally, Canada ranks 27 out of 38 countries.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Canada, there would be 22 great-grandchildren, representing a -78.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Canada ranks 12 out of 38 countries.
Birth trajectory
If the birth trends observed in 2024 continue, the number of births is expected to decrease significantly over time. Starting from 365,737 births in 2024, the figure would reduce by half to 182,868 by the year 2069. Looking further ahead, births would decline by 75% to around 91,434 by 2113, and then drop substantially by 90% to reach 36,574 by 2172, not accounting for any migration changes.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in Canada stands at 43.4% for 2024, showing only a slight increase from 43.2% in the previous year. Over the last five years, from 2020 to 2024, the rate has been on the rise, averaging 41.4%. This marks a notable increase of approximately 19.2 percentage points compared to the 24.2% average observed in the 1970s. Among a group of 38 countries, Canada holds the 10th position in this measure.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 16.3% | 2010 | 28.6% |
| 1980 | 26.7% | 2020 | 39.3% |
| 1990 | 22.3% | 2023 | 43.2% |
| 2000 | 31.7% | 2024 | 43.4%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Total births
Canada saw a total of 365,737 births in 2024, marking an increase of 14,022 compared to the previous year. While total births have been on an upward trend over the last five years, the average annual number stands at 359,940. This figure is 5.7% higher than the average of 346,046 recorded during the 1970s, reflecting an additional 19,691 births.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 359.1k | 2010 | 379.0k |
| 1980 | 360.1k | 2020 | 360.7k |
| 1990 | 397.6k | 2023 | 351.7k |
| 2000 | 328.4k | 2024 | 365.7k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Canada stands at 23.7% in 2024, showing a decrease of 2.4 percentage points from 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the BRI has remained relatively steady, averaging 25.7%. Compared to the 1970s baseline of -43.4%, the current figure is approximately 67.0 percentage points higher. Among 35 countries worldwide, Canada ranks near the lower end with one of the lowest BRI values, positioned 32nd.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -67.1% | 2010 | 30.1% |
| 1980 | -42.9% | 2020 | 26.1% |
| 1990 | -46.7% | 2023 | 26.1% |
| 2000 | 22.4% | 2024 | 23.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from Statistics Canada..
