Norway
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Norway's fertility landscape in 2024 shows slight shifts with a modest increase in the total maternal rate to 63.6%, reflecting a steady pattern over recent years. While the average number of children per mother remains high by European standards at 2.27, the total fertility gap has slightly narrowed, indicating ongoing challenges in reaching replacement-level fertility.
- Average maternal age rose slightly to 30.4 years, continuing a gradual increase over the past five years.
- Total fertility gap decreased by 1.7 percentage points to 30.1%, signaling a small improvement but still indicating below-replacement fertility.
- Lifetime childlessness declined marginally to 36.4%, reversing a slight upward trend and remaining stable over the recent five-year period.
- Norway ranks well globally and within Europe for children per mother (8th globally, 7th in Europe) but lower for fertility gap (31st globally, 23rd in Europe), highlighting mixed demographic dynamics.
In 2024, Norway's demographic indicators show stability in fertility and maternal age, with modest shifts in family size and future worker gap.
- Average children per mother high at 2.27, ranked 7th in Europe
- Total maternal rate steady around 64%, ranking 17th in Europe
- Maternal age rising slightly to 30.4 years, ranked 11th in Europe
- Future worker gap reduced to 27.6%, ranked 22nd in Europe
- Lifetime childlessness stable near 36%, ranking 14th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Norway
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.6% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.4% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.4 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 30.1% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 34 |
| Total births (latest year) | 54,013 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 63.6%. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 0.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been broadly stable with an average of 64.0%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 64.0%), mothers are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Norway ranks 21 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, Norway ranks 17 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 91.9% | 2010 | 86.0% |
| 1980 | 71.4% | 2020 | 64.4% |
| 1990 | 81.6% | 2023 | 62.8% |
| 2000 | 77.2% | 2024 | 63.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in Norway is 2.27 (2024). It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.03). Over the past five years, CPM has been broadly stable, averaging 2.28. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (2.28), today’s CPM is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Norway ranks 11 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, Norway ranks 8 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.73 | 2010 | 2.26 |
| 1980 | 2.41 | 2020 | 2.29 |
| 1990 | 2.37 | 2023 | 2.25 |
| 2000 | 2.40 | 2024 | 2.27 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 30.4 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.1 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 30.1 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 30.1 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Norway ranks 16 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, Norway ranks 11 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 23.49 | 2010 | 28.01 |
| 1980 | 24.16 | 2020 | 29.82 |
| 1990 | 25.59 | 2023 | 30.28 |
| 2000 | 26.89 | 2024 | 30.39 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
Norway’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 30.1% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.45). There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 1.7pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 29.5%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 29.5%), the TFG stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, Norway ranks 32 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, Norway ranks 23 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 6.0% |
| 1980 | 16.8% | 2020 | 28.7% |
| 1990 | 6.7% | 2023 | 31.8% |
| 2000 | 10.6% | 2024 | 30.1% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Norway stands at 27.6% in 2024. It fell compared with 2023 (down 4.6pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 29.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (29.8%), today’s FWG is lower by about 2.2pp.
Globally, Norway ranks 28 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Norway ranks 22 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -37.0% | 2010 | 5.4% |
| 1980 | -22.7% | 2020 | 31.1% |
| 1990 | -45.4% | 2023 | 32.2% |
| 2000 | 1.6% | 2024 | 27.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Norway’s SHL stands at 62.7 years in 2024. It moved sharply up from 2023 (up 4.3 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 64.3 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 64.3 years), SHL now stands lower by about 1.6 years.
Globally, Norway ranks 10 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, Norway has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 7/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Norway, there would be 34 great-grandchildren, representing a -66.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Norway ranks 11 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, Norway ranks 8 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2087 - Births down 75% in 2149 - Births down 90% in 2232
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 54,013 in 2024 to 27,006 in 2087, and by 90% to 5,401 in 2232 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Norway’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 36.4%. It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.8pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been broadly stable with an average of 36.0%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (36.0%), Norway’s current TCR is close to that long-run level.
Globally, Norway ranks 22 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, Norway ranks 14 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 8.1% | 2010 | 14.0% |
| 1980 | 28.6% | 2020 | 35.6% |
| 1990 | 18.4% | 2023 | 37.2% |
| 2000 | 22.8% | 2024 | 36.4% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
In 2024, Norway recorded 54,013 total births. It is up from 2023 by 2,047 births. Over the past five years, total births have been broadly stable, averaging 53,293 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (53,293), total births are now slightly higher.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 64.5k | 2010 | 61.4k |
| 1980 | 51.0k | 2020 | 53.0k |
| 1990 | 60.9k | 2023 | 52.0k |
| 2000 | 59.2k | 2024 | 54.0k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Norway stands at 27.6% in 2024. It fell compared with 2023 (down 4.6pp). Over the past five years, FWG has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 29.8%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (29.8%), today’s FWG is lower by about 2.2pp.
Globally, Norway ranks 28 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, Norway ranks 22 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -37.0% | 2010 | 5.4% |
| 1980 | -22.7% | 2020 | 31.1% |
| 1990 | -45.4% | 2023 | 32.2% |
| 2000 | 1.6% | 2024 | 27.6% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
