Brazil Records Steep 5.8% Drop in Births in 2024, Continuing Six-Year Decline
In 2024, Brazil recorded the steepest drop in births in two decades with a 5.8% decline, highlighting ongoing demographic shifts and regional disparities.
- • Brazil saw a 5.8% decline in birth registrations in 2024 compared to 2023, with 2,442,726 births recorded.
- • This marks the sixth consecutive year of declining birth rates, the largest drop in 20 years.
- • Birth rates declined across all major regions, notably in the Southeast and North.
- • Women are having fewer children and at older ages; only 34.6% of births were to mothers aged up to 24 years in 2024, down from 51.7% in 2004.
Key details
Brazil has experienced a significant decline in birth numbers in 2024, with data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) showing 2,442,726 birth registrations for the year, marking a 5.8% decrease from 2023's 2,523,267 births. This marks the sixth consecutive year of falling birth rates, the steepest drop in two decades, surpassing the previous 5.1% decline recorded between 2015 and 2016.
The decline reflects a broader demographic transition tied to fertility trends confirmed by the 2022 Census, with women having fewer children and giving birth later in life. In 2024, only 34.6% of births involved mothers aged 24 or younger, down from 51.7% in 2004. Regional differences highlight younger mothers predominantly in the North, with older maternal ages in the South and Southeast.
Monthly averages indicate roughly 198,000 births per month or about 6,600 per day, with March and May being the peak months, especially March, which had 215,500 births. The gender ratio favored boys, with 105 born per 100 girls. Despite the overall trend, over one-third of births occurred outside the mothers’ municipalities, notably in states like Sergipe and Pernambuco. Birth registrations remain timely, with 88.5% completed within 15 days as required by law.
Regional analyses show the most substantial year-on-year decreases in states such as Acre (-8.7%), Rondônia (-8.6%), and Piauí (-8.2%). The Southeast and North regions saw reductions of 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively. Additionally, 2024 births were 17.1% lower than the average annual births recorded from 2015 to 2019, indicating a sharp long-term decline exacerbated by factors including the ongoing demographic shift and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demographer Cintia Simoes Agostinho commented that the aging population and general social changes contribute to the declining birth rates, underscoring the complex dynamics behind Brazil’s natality trends. According to IBGE survey manager Klivia Brayner, these data reinforce observed shifts in family planning and fertility behavior nationwide.
These statistics signal important socioeconomic implications for Brazil, as the continuing birth rate decrease may affect future population growth and labor force dynamics. The government and policymakers will likely need to address these demographic changes moving forward.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.