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European Union fertility rate hits historic low of 1.34
The European Union's total fertility rate fell to 1.34 births per woman in 2024, the lowest level recorded since Eurostat began tracking the data in 2001. This figure remains significantly below the replacement level of approximately 2.1 births per woman required to maintain a stable population without migration.
Regional data shows significant disparities across the bloc. In 16 regions of Spain, 7 in Poland, 5 in Italy, 3 in Greece, and 2 each in Germany and Lithuania, the fertility rate dropped below one child per woman. Conversely, higher rates of 1.75 or more were observed in 14 regions of Bulgaria and France, 6 in Germany, and 3 in Slovenia.
In Romania, the population reached approximately 21.56 million by July 2026, a 0.5% decrease from the previous year. The country is experiencing an aging trend, with the proportion of people aged 65 and older rising to 19.0%. Romania's national fertility rate was reported at 1.38 in 2024, with specific regions like Ilfov recording as low as 1.09.
Entities
Bulgaria · Cyprus · European Union · Eurostat · France · Greece · Italy · National Center for Health Statistics · National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies · Romania · Spain
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bulgaria recorded a fertility rate of 1.72. lat.sputnikportal.rs · noticiaslatam.lat
- [● 2 SOURCES] France recorded a fertility rate of 1.61. lat.sputnikportal.rs · noticiaslatam.lat
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Greece's fertility rate fell from 1.43 in 2021 to 1.24 in 2024. www.iatronet.gr
- [● 8 SOURCES] The 2024 EU fertility rate is the lowest since statistics began in 2001. lat.sputnikportal.rs · omegalive.com.cy · www.iatronet.gr · noticiaslatam.lat · www.eunews.it · +3 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The total fertility rate in the EU was 1.34 births per woman in 2024. lat.sputnikportal.rs · omegalive.com.cy · www.iatronet.gr · noticiaslatam.lat · www.eunews.it · +4 more
- [● 9 SOURCES] The replacement level for population is approximately 2.1 births per woman. lat.sputnikportal.rs · omegalive.com.cy · www.iatronet.gr · noticiaslatam.lat · www.eunews.it · +4 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] 16 regions in Spain recorded a fertility rate below one child per woman. lat.sputnikportal.rs · omegalive.com.cy · www.iatronet.gr · noticiaslatam.lat · www.eunews.it · +3 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Cyprus recorded a fertility rate of 1.39 in 2024. omegalive.com.cy
- [● 5 SOURCES] Bulgaria recorded a fertility rate of 1.72 in 2024. www.sardegnagol.eu · greatnews.ro · lat.sputnikportal.rs · de-rt.com · www.eunews.it
- [● 3 SOURCES] Romania's population was 21,557,600 as of July 1, 2026. www.museolatertulia.org · maszol.ro
- [● 2 SOURCES] The proportion of people aged 65 and older in Romania rose to 19.0% in July 2026. maszol.ro
- [● 5 SOURCES] France recorded a fertility rate of 1.61 in 2024. www.sardegnagol.eu · greatnews.ro · lat.sputnikportal.rs · de-rt.com · www.eunews.it