Cyprus’s total fertility rate reached 1.39 births per woman in 2024, above the European Union average of 1.34. Eurostat published the figures on Tuesday.
Despite exceeding the EU average, Cyprus’s rate remained below the population replacement level, estimated at 2.10 births per woman.
Across the EU, the fertility rate fell to 1.34 births per woman in 2024, its lowest level since 2001, when Eurostat’s relevant time series began. Over the past 20 years, it has remained consistently below the replacement level, ranging between 1.34 and 1.57 births per woman.
Differences between regions
Of the 1,165 EU regions at NUTS 3 level for which data were available, 439, or 37.7%, recorded a fertility rate below the EU average in 2024. The rate was higher in 714 regions, representing 61.3% of the total, while in 12 regions it was equal to 1.34.
A rate of at least 1.75 births per woman was recorded in 14 regions in Bulgaria and the same number in France, six regions in Germany and three in Slovenia, according to Eurostat.
Similar levels were recorded in two regions in Hungary, two in the Netherlands and two in Romania, as well as one region each in Ireland, Greece, Croatia and Slovakia.
Particularly low fertility rates were recorded in Spain, mainly in the north-west of the country and in some island regions, as well as across much of Italy, especially Sardinia.
A rate of less than one birth per woman was recorded in 16 regions in Spain, seven in Poland, five in Italy, three in Greece, and two regions each in Germany and Lithuania.
Source: CNA
