Hungary
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Hungary experienced a notable demographic shift in 2024, with a sharp decline in total maternal rate and a significant rise in lifetime childlessness rate, highlighting changing family patterns. Meanwhile, slight increases in average maternal age and the generational fertility indicator suggest evolving reproductive behavior against a backdrop of fewer births overall.
- Total maternal rate fell sharply by 6.3 percentage points to 62.5%, continuing a downward trend from an average of 70.2% over the past five years and well below the 1970s level of 95%.
- Lifetime childlessness rate rose markedly by 6.3 percentage points to 37.5%, a concerning increase from a recent five-year average of 29.8% and far above the 5% baseline in the 1970s.
- The Birthgap Generational Indicator increased by 5.9 percentage points to 34.2%, reflecting a modest rebound in generational fertility, though the absolute level remains relatively low.
- Average maternal age edged up 0.2 years to 29.4, now almost 7 years higher than in the 1970s, signaling delayed childbearing trends.
In 2024, Hungary's maternal and fertility metrics highlight ongoing demographic challenges with declines in total maternal rate and births, alongside rising childlessness.
- Total maternal rate fell sharply, ranking 20th in Europe
- Average children per mother rising slightly, near historical levels
- Maternal age at birth increased, now below European average
- High lifetime childlessness rate, among the highest in Europe
- Birthgap Retirement Indicator notably elevated, ranking 10th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Hungary
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 62.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 37.5% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 29.4 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 34.2% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 52.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 28 |
| Total births (latest year) | 77,511 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Hungary’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 62.5% in 2024. It declined steeply relative to 2023 (down 6.3pp). Looking at the last five years, the TMR has been falling (average 70.2% across 2020–2024). Compared with the 1970s norm (95.0%), today’s level is lower by about 32.5pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 22 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 20 out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 94.4% | 2010 | 60.7% |
| 1980 | 90.6% | 2020 | 74.1% |
| 1990 | 81.8% | 2023 | 68.8% |
| 2000 | 58.2% | 2024 | 62.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
CPM in Hungary is 2.18 in 2024. This is up slightly on 2023 (up 0.02). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is rising with an average of 2.15. Compared with the 1970s norm (2.20), today’s level is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Hungary ranks 23 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 19 out of 31.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.10 | 2010 | 2.06 |
| 1980 | 2.11 | 2020 | 2.11 |
| 1990 | 2.28 | 2023 | 2.16 |
| 2000 | 2.27 | 2024 | 2.18 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 29.4 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 29.1 years. It is now 6.9 years higher than the 1970s average.
Globally, Hungary ranks 26 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 21 out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.82 | 2010 | 27.67 |
| 1980 | 22.44 | 2020 | 28.36 |
| 1990 | 23.09 | 2023 | 29.26 |
| 2000 | 25.10 | 2024 | 29.45 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, the Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) is 34.2% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.36). It increased markedly relative to 2023 (up 5.9pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TCR has been falling with an average of 27.2%. Against the 1970s baseline (2.6%), the current rate is higher by about 31.6pp. The lowest TFG was in the mid 1970s (1974–1978), averaging 0.0%.
Globally, Hungary ranks 19 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 14 out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 4.0% | 2010 | 39.7% |
| 1980 | 7.7% | 2020 | 24.6% |
| 1990 | 9.9% | 2023 | 28.3% |
| 2000 | 36.2% | 2024 | 34.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Hungary’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 52.2 years. It has decreased by 13.1 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 69.3 years. Compared with the 1970s average (973.7 years), SHL is now shorter by about 921.5 years.
Globally, Hungary ranks 19 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 17 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Hungary, there would be 28 great-grandchildren, representing a -72.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Hungary ranks 19 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 14 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2076 - Births down 75% in 2128 - Births down 90% in 2197
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 77,511 in 2024 to 38,756 in 2076, and by 90% to 7,751 in 2197 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Hungary’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) is 37.5% in 2024. It rose sharply versus 2023 (up 6.3pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TCR has been rising with an average of 29.8%. Against the 1970s baseline (5.0%), the current rate is higher by about 32.5pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 17 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 12 out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 5.6% | 2010 | 39.3% |
| 1980 | 9.4% | 2020 | 25.9% |
| 1990 | 18.2% | 2023 | 31.2% |
| 2000 | 41.8% | 2024 | 37.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Hungary recorded 77,511 total births. It is down 6,886 from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 86,882 per year. Compared with the 1970s average (168,220), total births are now lower by 90,709 births (53.9% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 151.6k | 2010 | 90.3k |
| 1980 | 148.4k | 2020 | 92.3k |
| 1990 | 125.4k | 2023 | 84.4k |
| 2000 | 97.5k | 2024 | 77.5k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for Hungary stands at 46.8% (2024). It jumped compared with 2023 (up 5.7pp). Over the past five years, BRI has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 39.3%. Against the 1970s baseline (-19.1%), the current rate is higher by about 65.9pp.
Globally, Hungary ranks 13 out of 35 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 10 out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -19.9% | 2010 | 28.5% |
| 1980 | -7.1% | 2020 | 35.7% |
| 1990 | -2.5% | 2023 | 41.2% |
| 2000 | 33.9% | 2024 | 46.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
