Denmark’s birth rate rises for first time in three years

Denmark recorded its first rise in births in three years in 2025, with the upward trend continuing into early 2026, according to national broadcaster DR.

After a steady decline from 63,473 births in 2021 to around 57,000 in 2024, the figure climbed to nearly 59,500 in 2025. Data for the first three months of 2026 show an average increase of just over 1% compared to the same period last year.

Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen, professor of demography and epidemiology at the University of Southern Denmark, said the increase of 2,400 births from 2024 to 2025 was encouraging. However, he noted the fertility rate remains at 1.5 children per couple, below the 2.1 needed for population replacement. Immigration currently offsets the shortfall, he added.

Expanded access to fertility treatment is cited as a key factor. Late 2024 saw the introduction of public support for second children, with further reforms proposed in the new government’s platform, including removing caps on free treatments and raising age limits.

Lindahl-Jacobsen estimated that 18% of the 2024–2025 rise could be attributed to improved fertility support. He warned, however, that even if all fertility treatments succeeded, the rate would only reach 1.7—still short of replacement level.

Other contributing factors include environmental chemicals affecting fertility, delayed childbearing due to educational pressures, and a decline in very young mothers, he said.