The data reveals a significant shift over the past 20 years, with the age of mothers at childbirth increasing. The percentage of women aged 35 to 39 giving birth rose from 14% to 24%, according to the INE report released today.
Between 2023 and 2024, childbirth numbers increased only in the Autonomous Region of Madeira (+2.4%), the West and Tagus Valley (+1.2%), Greater Lisbon (+0.9%), and the Setúbal Peninsula (+0.1%).
In contrast, other regions experienced declines, most notably in the Autonomous Region of the Azores (-8.7%), as well as in the North (-3.5%) and both the Alentejo and Algarve (-2.4%).
Among the births last year, 99.7% (83,772) were of women residing in the country, while 0.3% (287) were from abroad. In 2024, 26.3% of births were to foreign mothers, a figure higher in the Algarve and Greater Lisbon but less common in the Autonomous Regions, the North, Center, and interior Alentejo.
A significant majority of foreign mothers were noted in Aljezur (68.4%), Vila do Bispo (64.7%), Odemira (62.5%), and Albufeira (52.8%). The report also highlights municipalities such as Pedrógão Grande (50.0%), Amadora (48.1%), Entroncamento (47.2%), and Odivelas (45.5%) with more than 45% of foreign mothers.
In 2024, 80% of births were to mothers aged 25 to 39 (67,201 births), with one-third of total births to women aged 30 to 34. The same period recorded 20 births to minors aged 10 to 14.
Out of 84,059 births last year, 71.3% were attended by doctors, 27.9% by midwives, and 0.8% had non-midwife nurses, no assistance, or unknown assistance.
Data further indicates that 82,911 births took place in hospitals, 841 at home, and 307 elsewhere.
The INE noted an increase in dystoci childbirths (involving instrumental interventions such as forceps and ventouse, or cesarean) in hospitals, particularly cesarean deliveries, which rose from 27% to 37% between 1999 and 2023.
