In 2024, the birth rate in the EU was 7.9 births per 1,000 people, with a negative natural increase. The same thing has been happening for 20 years.

In 2024, the gross birth rate in the European Union decreased to 7.9 live births per 1,000 people, marking a declining trend compared to 2004. Mortality increased to an average of 10.7 deaths per 1,000 people, resulting in a negative natural increase of -2.8. The highest birth rates were in Cyprus (10.0) and Ireland (9.9), while Italy had the lowest rate (6.3). The total fertility rate dropped to 1.34 births per woman, below the replacement threshold of 2.1. The average age at first child has risen to 29.9 years, with the youngest mothers in Bulgaria (26.9) and Romania (27.2). Life expectancy increased to 81.5 years, but the gaps between east and west remain significant. Romania stands out for frequent marriages, having the highest marriage rate (5.3 per 1,000 people) and an average age at first marriage of 28.4 years for women. The proportion of births outside of marriage reached 41% at the EU level, with Bulgaria and France leading.