The fertility rate in the European Union has dropped to its lowest level in over 60 years. From 2.62 births per woman in 1964, the figure plunged to 1.34 in 2024 — nearly halved in six decades.
Cyprus ranks 26th among 42 European countries with a rate of 1.38 births per woman, slightly above the EU average. Greece sits lower at 1.24, in 8th place from the bottom.
The countries with the steepest declines over the past decade are surprising: Finland and Lithuania (drop of 0.46), Sweden (0.45) and Ireland (0.42) — nations with traditionally generous family policies. Turkey recorded the largest absolute drop, down 32% to 1.48.
Experts explain the decline is driven primarily by fewer first births, which account for 82% of the total drop. Childless living is increasingly accepted as a choice, while many people ultimately have fewer children than they would like.
Housing, child-rearing costs, the work-motherhood balance and access to education emerge as decisive factors. Yet even countries with strong support measures have failed to reverse the trend — proving that policy support alone is not enough.
