In 2021, 4.09 million children were born in the European Union, Eurostat reports in its latest report. This is a little more than in 2020, when 4.07 million children were born. However, analyzing data from previous years, a downward trend is clearly visible. In 2008, the number of births in the EU was 4.68 million.

In the European Union in 2021, total fertility rate was at the same level as in 2019 and amounted to 1.53 live births per woman. This number was slightly higher than in 2020, when it was 1.50.

In the longer term, we can see that until 2008, the fertility rate in the EU increased, reaching a peak of 1.57 for the first time in 2008. After 2008, the fertility rate again reached this level twice – in 2010 and 2016. . In 2021, it was slightly lower than the last peak recorded in 2016, but higher than in 2001, when it was 1.43. In the years 2008-2021, the indicator ranged from 1.51 to 1.57.

We assume that the fertility rate between 2.10 and 2.15 is a value guaranteeing simple replacement of generations. Eurostat data clearly shows that The demographic crisis in Europe is in full swing.

Fertility rates in EU countries

In 2021, the highest total fertility rate in the EU (1.84 live births per woman) was recorded in France. Next come the Czech Republic (1.83), Romania (1.81) and Ireland (1.78).

The lowest fertility rates were recorded in Malta (1.13 births per woman), Spain (1.19) and Italy (1.25).

Fertility in Poland

On European fertility map Poland is doing very badly. We have the fourth lowest fertility rate in the EU – this is despite the 500+ program which the government claimed was supposed to improve outcomes. Since 2017, when nearly 402,000 people were born children, and the fertility rate recently peaked at 1.48, the rate has been declining. In 2021, this indicator was already 1.33, so it was below the EU average and well below the replacement level. Then, 331.5 thousand babies were born. newborns. In 2015, the last year before the introduction of the 500+ program, the rate was 1.32 (369.3 thousand births).