Netherlands
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the Netherlands sees a subtle decline in birth-related metrics, with a slight decrease in children per mother and a marginal rise in average maternal age continuing long-term trends. Lifetime childlessness remains elevated, reflecting ongoing demographic shifts since the 1970s. Life expectancy in terms of expected years lived in good health has dipped modestly compared to the previous year.
- The average number of children per mother decreased slightly to 2.16, below the 1970s average of 2.48 but still above the global average.
- Lifetime childlessness rose marginally to 33.7%, about 9 percentage points higher than in the 1970s, ranking the Netherlands 29th out of 38 countries globally.
- Average maternal age increased to 30.45 years, continuing a steady rise, now more than five years older than in the 1970s.
- Expected years lived in good health dropped by about 0.75 years to 61.2, indicating a small recent downturn in healthy life expectancy.
In 2024, Netherlands shows stable fertility trends with modest declines in birth rates and a slight increase in mean maternal age.
- Completed fertility remains steady at 66.3%, ranking 10th in Europe
- Children per mother total 2.16, slightly above the European average
- Mean age at childbearing rises to 30.4 years, 9th highest in Europe
- Generational birthgap persists with total fertility gap at 30.8%
- Lifetime childlessness holds near one-third of women, ranking 22nd in Europe
Key fertility indicators — The The Netherlands
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 33.7% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.16 |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 61.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
| Total births (latest year) | 166,143 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in the Netherlands stands at 66.3% in 2024, showing minimal change from 66.0% in 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), this total motherhood rate has been declining, averaging 68.9%. Compared with the 1970s average of 75.3%, the current level is about 9.0 percentage points lower. The country's lowest recorded fertility rate occurred in the mid-2000s (2005–2007), with an average of 79.9%. On a global scale, the Netherlands ranks 10th out of 38 countries, and within Europe, it holds the 10th position out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 90.5% | 2010 | 84.1% |
| 1980 | 68.0% | 2020 | 69.9% |
| 1990 | 72.3% | 2023 | 66.0% |
| 2000 | 82.6% | 2024 | 66.3% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The number of children per mother in the Netherlands stood at 2.16 in 2024, showing a small decrease of 0.02 from the previous year. Over the last five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, averaging 2.18. When looking back to the 1970s, the current CPM is lower by approximately 0.31 compared to the 2.48 average from that decade. Within a global context, the Netherlands holds the 21st position out of 38 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 17th among 31 nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.84 | 2010 | 2.13 |
| 1980 | 2.36 | 2020 | 2.21 |
| 1990 | 2.23 | 2023 | 2.18 |
| 2000 | 2.08 | 2024 | 2.16 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in the Netherlands reached 30.45 years in 2024, showing a slight increase from 30.35 in 2023. Over the last five years, this measure has been on an upward trend, with a five-year average of 30.32 years. Compared to the 1970s average of 25.13 years, the current average is notably 5.3 years higher. Among 38 countries worldwide, the Netherlands holds the 14th position, while within Europe, it ranks 9th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.78 | 2010 | 29.24 |
| 1980 | 25.74 | 2020 | 30.19 |
| 1990 | 27.61 | 2023 | 30.35 |
| 2000 | 28.63 | 2024 | 30.45 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, the TFG for the Netherlands stands at 30.8%, which corresponds to a total fertility rate of 1.43. This figure shows little change from 2023, where it was 30.4%. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 27.3% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the average in the 1970s, which was 13.5%, the current level is about 17.3 percentage points higher. The country has experienced a continuous Generational Birthgap since 1973. The lowest TFG was observed in the early 1970s, specifically between 1970 and 1972, averaging around 0.0%. On a global scale, the Netherlands ranks 26th out of 38 countries and holds the 20th position within Europe among 31 nations.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 13.2% |
| 1980 | 22.6% | 2020 | 25.4% |
| 1990 | 21.9% | 2023 | 30.4% |
| 2000 | 16.8% | 2024 | 30.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Netherlands’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 61.2 years. It has decreased by 0.7 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 71.8 years. Compared with the 1970s average (144.2 years), SHL is now shorter by about 83.1 years.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 10 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 9 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Netherlands, there would be 33 great-grandchildren, representing a -67.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Netherlands ranks 26 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 20 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
By looking at the birth trends for 2024, the total number of births is projected to decrease from 166,143 to 83,072 by 2085, marking a 50% decline. This downward trajectory continues, with births expected to drop by 75% in 2146 and reach a 90% reduction by 2227, falling to 16,614, assuming no migration effects.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in the Netherlands stood at 33.7% in 2024, showing a slight decrease from 34.0% in 2023. Over the past five years, the TCR has been on an upward trend, averaging 31.1% between 2020 and 2024. This rate is approximately 9 percentage points higher than the average during the 1970s, which was 24.7%. Among 38 countries worldwide, this places the Netherlands at 29th, while within Europe, it ranks 22nd out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 9.5% | 2010 | 15.9% |
| 1980 | 32.0% | 2020 | 30.1% |
| 1990 | 27.7% | 2023 | 34.0% |
| 2000 | 17.4% | 2024 | 33.7% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
The Netherlands saw 166,143 total births in 2024, an increase of 1,695 from the previous year. Total births have been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average annual figure of 169,222. When compared to the 1970s average of 193,970 births, the current total represents a drop of 27,827 births, amounting to a 14.3% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 238.9k | 2010 | 184.4k |
| 1980 | 181.3k | 2020 | 168.6k |
| 1990 | 197.9k | 2023 | 164.4k |
| 2000 | 206.6k | 2024 | 166.1k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, the Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for the Netherlands is 25.8%, reflecting a noticeable decrease of 5.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the BRI has shown a downward trend, averaging 31.7% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of -33.0%, the current figure is approximately 58.8 percentage points higher. The Netherlands holds one of the lower positions globally for BRI, ranking 31st out of 35 countries, and similarly ranks 28th among 30 European nations.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -85.1% | 2010 | 25.1% |
| 1980 | -21.9% | 2020 | 36.6% |
| 1990 | -19.9% | 2023 | 31.7% |
| 2000 | 8.9% | 2024 | 25.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
