EU: Number of Births, by year
YearLive births,
in millions
20223.89
20214.07
20204.07
20194.17
20184.25
20174.33
20164.38
20154.33
20144.36
20134.30
20124.42
20114.46
20104.60
20094.62
  • Region: European Union
  • Time period: 2009 to 2022
  • Published: Jul 2023

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Apr 11, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Decline in Live Births from 2009 to 2022

Live births in the EU experienced a consistent decline over the 14-year period from 2009 to 2022, with the number dropping from 4.62 million in 2009 to 3.89 million in 2022. This represents a significant decrease of approximately 16%.

2020 and 2021: Stability Amidst Decline

Despite the overall downward trend, live births in the EU remained stable at 4.07 million in both 2020 and 2021. This stability is notable given the broader context of a consistent decrease in live births over the years.

Historical Peak in the Last 14 Years

The highest number of live births within the observed timeframe occurred in 2009, with 4.62 million births. This year stands out as the period with the most live births before a persistent decline set in.

Lowest Recorded Live Births in 2022

The year 2022 marked the lowest point in live births during the last 14 years, with only 3.89 million live births recorded. This represents the culmination of the downward trend observed over the years.

Comparing Recent Years: A Sudden Drop

A significant drop in live births was observed from 2021 to 2022, decreasing from 4.07 million to 3.89 million. This sudden decrease of approximately 4.4% in just one year underscores the accelerating pace of decline in recent years.

Average Annual Live Births

Analyzing the data from 2009 to 2022, the average number of live births per year in the EU is approximately 4.27 million. This figure provides a benchmark for assessing the fluctuation in birth rates over the years.

Period of Least Decline

Between 2015 and 2016, live births exhibited the smallest decline in the dataset, slightly decreasing from 4.33 million to 4.38 million. This period contrasts with the overall trend, showcasing a brief moment of near stability or minor increase.

2010-2011: Minimal Change Marks Stability

Between 2010 and 2011, the EU saw one of the smallest changes in the number of live births, with a slight decrease from 4.60 million to 4.46 million. This minor adjustment indicates a momentary period of relative stability in birth rates before the continuation of the general downward trend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which year had the highest number of live births in the EU in recent years?

The highest number of live births occurred in 2009, with 4.62 million births.

Terms and Definitions

An acronym for the European Union, which is a political and economic union of 27 member countries that are primarily located in Europe. It operates through a system of supranational and intergovernmental decision-making, and it deals with areas like internal market, monetary union, justice, and home affairs.

A demographic measure of the number of live births per 1,000 people in a population in a given year. It is often used to understand the growth rate of a population.

In demographic statistics, a live birth refers to the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life.

The average number of children a woman would have assuming that she lives to the end of her childbearing years and bears children according to a given fertility rate at each age. It's a more direct measure of the level of fertility than the birth rate.

The increase in a country's population during a period of time, usually one year, expressed as a percentage of the population at the start of that period. It reflects the number of births, deaths, and net migration during the period.
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