Portugal
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Portugal maintains a notably low children per mother average at 1.80 in 2024, marking a subtle decline from the previous year. Compared to the 1970s, both fertility and birth rates remain considerably lower, although the average age of mothers has continued to climb, now standing at 30.6 years, well above past decades.
- Total maternal risk (TMR) remains steady at 78.8%, one of the highest globally and in Europe.
- The completed fertility measure (CPM) slightly decreased by 0.04, placing Portugal among the lowest fertility countries worldwide.
- Average maternal age increased by nearly half a year, continuing a rising trend over the last five years.
- The generational birthgap indicator (TFG) inched up to 31.5%, indicating a persistent generational deficit in births since the 1980s.
In 2024, Portugal showed a high total motherhood rate but the lowest children per mother in Europe, reflecting distinct fertility patterns.
- Second highest total motherhood rate globally and in Europe
- Lowest children per mother in Europe, ranked first lowest
- Average maternal age rising to 30.6 years, ranked 8th oldest in Europe
- Childlessness rate very low, among the lowest in Europe
- Societal half-life shortened compared to the 1970s, mid-ranking in Europe
Key fertility indicators — Portugal
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 21.2% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.80 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 30.6 years |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 31.5% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 59.8 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 32 |
| Total births (latest year) | 84,642 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
Completed fertility among mothers in Portugal stands at 78.8% in 2024, unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, the total motherhood rate has been on an upward trend, averaging 77.5% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 105.4%, this represents a decline of approximately 26.6 percentage points. Internationally, Portugal ranks second out of 38 countries for its total motherhood rate, and within Europe, it also holds the second highest position among 31 nations.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 100.7% | 2010 | 76.3% |
| 1980 | 96.9% | 2020 | 78.7% |
| 1990 | 78.4% | 2023 | 78.8% |
| 2000 | 84.0% | 2024 | 78.8% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Children per mother (CPM)
Portugal recorded a children per mother (CPM) rate of 1.80 in 2024, a slight decrease from 1.84 in 2023. Over the last five years, this figure has been on a downward trend, averaging 1.82. This current rate is about 0.80 less than the average CPM of 2.60 seen in the 1970s.
Within Europe, Portugal holds the lowest CPM among 31 countries, and globally it stands near the bottom, ranking 2nd lowest out of 38 nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.98 | 2010 | 1.82 |
| 1980 | 2.32 | 2020 | 1.80 |
| 1990 | 1.99 | 2023 | 1.84 |
| 2000 | 1.84 | 2024 | 1.80 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) in 2024 reached 30.6 years, marking an increase of 0.5 years from 2023. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average rising to 30.3 years during this period. Compared to the 1970s, the current AMA is 6.3 years older. Among 38 countries worldwide, Portugal holds the 12th position, while within Europe its rank is 8th out of 31.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 24.79 | 2010 | 28.12 |
| 1980 | 24.02 | 2020 | 30.18 |
| 1990 | 24.89 | 2023 | 30.15 |
| 2000 | 26.47 | 2024 | 30.62 |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 31.5% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.42. This marks a slight increase of 1.4 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has experienced a rising trend, averaging 31.8% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the 1970s baseline of 0.0%, current levels are approximately 31.5 percentage points higher. The country has maintained a continuous Generational Birthgap since 1983, with the lowest TFG recorded in the early 1970s (1970–1979) at an average of 0.0%. On a global scale, it ranks 24th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it is positioned 18th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 32.9% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.4% |
| 1990 | 24.8% | 2023 | 30.1% |
| 2000 | 25.3% | 2024 | 31.5% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Portugal’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 59.8 years. It has decreased by 2.5 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been rising, averaging 58.8 years. Compared with the 1970s average (76.0 years), SHL is now shorter by about 16.2 years.
Globally, Portugal ranks 13 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it ranks 12 out of 31.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Portugal, there would be 32 great-grandchildren, representing a -68.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Portugal ranks 24 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 18 out of 31.
Birth trajectory
Looking at the birth trends for 2024, the number of births is projected to drop significantly over the next two centuries if migration is not factored in. From 84,642 births in 2024, figures are expected to halve by 2084, reaching 42,321. Continuing this trajectory, births could decline by 75% by 2144, and eventually fall by 90% down to 8,464 by the year 2223.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Portugal holds steady at 21.2% in 2024, unchanged from the previous year. Over the past five years, this rate has been on a downward trend, averaging 22.5% between 2020 and 2024. Compared with the 1970s baseline of -5.4%, the current figure is about 26.6 percentage points higher. The early 2020s, specifically 2022 to 2024, saw childlessness at its lowest in recent years, with an average of 21.4%. Portugal ranks near the bottom globally for childlessness rates, positioned 37th out of 38 countries, and similarly holds one of the lowest rates within Europe, ranked 30th out of 31.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -0.7% | 2010 | 23.7% |
| 1980 | 3.1% | 2020 | 21.3% |
| 1990 | 21.6% | 2023 | 21.2% |
| 2000 | 16.0% | 2024 | 21.2% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Total births
Portugal saw 84,642 total births in 2024, showing only a slight decrease from the 85,641 births recorded in 2023. Looking at the past five years, total births have generally been on a rising trend, averaging 83,579 annually. When compared to the 1970s average of 175,482, the current number is significantly lower, reflecting a drop of 90,840 births, or 51.8%.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 180.6k | 2010 | 101.3k |
| 1980 | 158.1k | 2020 | 84.5k |
| 1990 | 116.2k | 2023 | 85.6k |
| 2000 | 119.9k | 2024 | 84.6k |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
In 2024, Portugal's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) stands at 47.0%, marking a small increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Throughout the past five years, the BRI has shown an upward trend, averaging 46.2% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the average from the 1970s, which was -69.7%, the current BRI is approximately 116.8 percentage points higher. On the global stage, Portugal holds the 12th position out of 35 countries, while within Europe, it ranks 9th out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -136.1% | 2010 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | -42.0% | 2020 | 43.4% |
| 1990 | -2.7% | 2023 | 46.2% |
| 2000 | 7.5% | 2024 | 47.0% |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database.
