In 2024, Monaco was the European country estimated to have the highest fertility rate. The country had a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman. Other small countries such as Gibraltar or Montenegro also came towards the top of the list for 2024, while the large country with the highest fertility rate was France, with 1.64 children per woman. On the other hand, Ukraine had the lowest fertility rate, averaging around one child per woman.

In 2025, the total fertility rate in Europe was estimated to be 1.41 births per woman compared with 2.7 in 1950. The fertility rate in Europe fell considerably between 1957 and 1999, falling from 2.62 to 1.4.

The average for 2022 based on 27 countries was 1.46 births per woman. The highest value was in France: 1.79 births per woman and the lowest value was in Malta: 1.08 births per woman. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

Graph and download economic data for Crude Birth Rate for the Euro Area (SPDYNCBRTINEMU) from 1960 to 2023 about birth, crude, Euro Area, Europe, and rate.

The total fertility rate in the European Union decreased by 0.1 children per woman (-6.85 percent) in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. Therefore, 2023 marks the lowest fertility rate during the observed period. Total fertility rates refer to the average number of children that a woman of childbearing age (generally considered 15 to 44 years) can expect to have throughout her reproductive years. Unlike birth rates, which are based on the actual number of live births in a given population, fertility rates are hypothetical (similar to life expectancy), as they assume that current patterns in age-specific fertility will remain constant throughout a woman's reproductive years.

The average for 2022 based on 47 countries was 1.49 births per woman. The highest value was in Monaco: 2.11 births per woman and the lowest value was in Ukraine: 0.9 births per woman. The indicator is available from 1960 to 2023. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

The total fertility rate of the world has dropped from around 5 children per woman in 1950, to 2.2 children per woman in 2025, which means that women today are having fewer than half the number of children that women did 75 years ago. Replacement level fertility This change has come as a result of the global demographic transition, and is influenced by factors such as the significant reduction in infant and child mortality, reduced number of child marriages, increased educational and vocational opportunities for women, and the increased efficacy and availability of contraception. While this change has become synonymous with societal progress, it does have wide-reaching demographic impact - if the global average falls below replacement level (roughly 2.1 children per woman), as is expected to happen in the 2050s, then this will lead to long-term population decline on a global scale. Regional variations When broken down by continent, Africa is the only region with a fertility rate above the global average, and, alongside Oceania, it is the only region with a fertility rate above replacement level. Until the 1980s, the average woman in Africa could expect to have 6-7 children over the course of their lifetime, and there are still several countries in Africa where women can still expect to have 5 or more children in 2025. Historically, Europe has had the lowest fertility rates in the world over the past century, falling below replacement level in 1975. Europe's population has grown through a combination of migration and increasing life expectancy, however even high immigration rates could not prevent its population from going into decline in 2021.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for Central Europe and the Baltics (SPDYNTFRTINCEB) from 1960 to 2023 about Central Europe, Baltics, fertility, Europe, and rate.

This horizontal bar chart displays fertility rate (births per woman) by region using the aggregation average, weighted by population female in Europe. The data is about countries.

Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) in European Union was reported at 6.6626 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. European Union - Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

In 2025, the crude birth rate in Europe (the number of live births per 1,000 population) was estimated to be 8.3, which is also the lowest birth rate in the provided time period. Between 1950 and 2025, the birth rate was highest in Europe in 1950 when it stood at 22.2.

This scatter chart displays fertility rate (births per woman) against birth rate (per 1,000 people) in Europe. The data is about countries.

In 2024, Monaco was the European country estimated to have the highest fertility rate. The country had a fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman. Other small countries such as Gibraltar or Montenegro also came towards the top of the list for 2024, while the large country with the highest fertility rate was France, with 1.64 children per woman. On the other hand, Ukraine had the lowest fertility rate, averaging around one child per woman.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in European Union was reported at 1.386 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. European Union - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for the European Union (SPDYNTFRTINEUU) from 1960 to 2023 about EU, fertility, Europe, and rate.

Live births are the births of children that showed any sign of life. The crude birth rate is the ratio of the number of live births during the year to the average population in that year. The value is expressed per 1 000 persons.

The crude birth rate in Montenegro was estimated to be **** live births per 1,000 population in 2024, the highest among countries in Europe. By contrast, Ukraine had the lowest crude birth rate in Europe, at *** live births per 1,000 population.

This scatter chart displays fertility rate (births per woman) against population (people) in Europe. The data is about countries.

Historical dataset showing European Union fertility rate by year from 1960 to 2023.

Dataset replaced by: http://data.europa.eu/euodp/data/dataset/Byj3Ffio44YXKJXqITfWA

The mean number of children that would be born alive to a woman during her lifetime if she were to survive and pass through her childbearing years conforming to the fertility rates by age of a given year.