Fertility trends in Europe continue to show a worrying decline in birth rates. While experts state that at least 2.1 births per woman are needed to maintain demographic stability, data from the past year indicates especially low fertility rates in many countries—sometimes even at historic lows.
Germany: Growth Based Solely on Immigration
In Germany, the fertility rate for 2024 dropped to 1.35, the lowest since 1994. The Federal Statistical Office explicitly states: “Net immigration was the only reason for population growth.” Even so, the population increase was minimal: Just 0.1%, or 121,000 residents. In fact, “more people died than were born,” the office noted.
The data also reveals significant disparities between the German states: While rich states like Bavaria and Hamburg saw a population increase, poorer states such as Thuringia, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt recorded the sharpest declines.
Austria: Historic Negative Record
The situation is even worse in Austria. According to Statistik Austria, 2024 recorded the lowest birth rate ever: just 1.32 children per woman. A total of 77,238 babies were born, a decrease of 0.5% compared to the previous year.
Italy: On the Way to Becoming a Human Desert
In Italy, immigration did manage to slow the pace of population decline, but not stop it. The country, which once surpassed 60 million residents, is shrinking steadily. According to ISTAT, the birth rate in 2024 stood at 1.18—a new low. Out of every 1,000 Italians, only six babies were born, while 11 people died. Another concerning figure: 156,000 Italians left the country, three times the number of those who returned (53,000). The sharpest declines were recorded in the poor, inland regions of southern Italy.
France: Sharp Drop Even in the “Most Stable” Country
France has long been considered a stronghold of high birth rates in Europe. But even there, the numbers indicate a steep downward trend. In 2024, the fertility rate was only 1.62—the lowest since the end of World War I, according to INSEE.
Over the past 15 years, the fertility rate dropped by 20%. The result: A barely positive birth-to-death balance of around 17,000, the lowest since World War II. The only good news: Life expectancy in France hit a record high—85.6 years for women, 80 for men.
England and Wales: Birth Surge Thanks to Fathers Over 60
The United Kingdom shows a rare positive exception. In England and Wales, there was a surprising increase in the number of babies—the first since 2021—thanks to a 14% rise in births to fathers aged 60 and older. At the same time, there was a drop in births among younger parents, according to data from the INS. It also reveals that 40% of babies born in England had foreign-born parents, and in Wales, almost 20%. This marks a sharp 34% increase in the number of children born to immigrants between 2023 and 2024.
Spain: Cautious Hope
Spain reported a projected 0.4% increase in births, reaching 322,034 babies in 2024, according to INE data. The trend of older motherhood continues: Over the past decade, the rate of mothers over 40 increased by 8.5%.
Scandinavia: A Low Not Seen Since the 18th Century
In Finland, the 2024 birth rate was the lowest since records began: Only 1.25. This is the worst figure since 1776, when Finland was still part of the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden itself reported a birth rate of 1.43, also the lowest in its history. In 2024, only 98,500 babies were born—the lowest number in 23 years. A decline was recorded in 169 out of the country’s 290 municipalities.
Hungary and Poland: Did Pro-Family Policies Fail?
Even countries that launched significant family support programs, such as Hungary and Poland, are currently failing to reverse the trend. In Poland, the fertility rate dropped to just 1.1—half the rate recorded in 1990 (1.9). The average age of first-time mothers rose from 23 to nearly 29. In Hungary, only 77,500 babies were born in the past year—the lowest in the country's history. The fertility rate there stood at 1.38, the lowest since 2014.