Births, 2023
Lowest number of life births ever
In 2023, 16,989 children were born in Slovenia, the fewest so far and 4% fewer than a year before. The mean age of the mother at all births was 31.1 years and at the first birth 29.7 years. The most popular name for new-born boys was Luka and for new-born girls Ema.
Eight children per 1,000 population – the fewest ever
In 2023, for the first time in Slovenia, fewer than 17,000 children were born: 8,677 boys and 8,312 girls, total 16,989. This is 638 fewer (3.6%) than in 2022 and the fewest in the 102-year history since data on live births have been available. Eight children were born per 1,000 population, which is the lowest number since 1922.
The mean age of first-time mothers up again
The mean age of mother at birth (regardless of birth order) has not changed since 2019. On average, women gave birth at the age of 31.1 years and first-time mothers at the age of 29.7 years. These are the highest values since World War II.
The total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.51, the lowest since 2009. Relatively the most children were born to women aged 28–30 years. Almost half of children (47%) were first born; additional 38% were second order births – the same as in 2022. Those mothers were on average two years older than first-time mothers.
More than half of children born to unmarried mothers
7,383 children were born to married mothers and 9,606 (56.5%) to unmarried mothers. The mean age of married mothers (31.3 years) was 0.4 of a year higher than the mean age of unmarried mothers (30.9 years) – the values are the same as in 2022.
16.5% of mothers with foreign citizenship
2,807 (16.5%) of all children were born to mothers with foreign citizenship. The largest share had the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (48%), followed by Kosovo (21%). 9% of the mothers with foreign citizenship had the citizenship of one of the other EU Member States.
Mothers with foreign citizenship were on average 29.4 years old and were two years younger than mothers with Slovenian citizenship (31.4 years). It was the same in 2021 and 2022.
A quarter of children born to mothers with foreign citizenship has a Slovenian citizenship through their father.
The most popular choices Luka and Ema
The name Luka was selected for 198 (2.3%) new-born boys. With the exception of 2021, Luka was ranking first for 23 years. In addition to Luka, other top five names were Nik, Filip, Jakob and Mark. Only Nik appeared among those born in the 1960s, all other names can be found among older generations too. New-born boys were given 1,327 different names, 776 of them (58%) unique.
The most popular girls’ name in 2023 was again Ema. The name was given to 180 (2.2%) girls. The name Ema ranks first among girls born in the 2011–2023 period. In addition, names Hana, Zala, Mia and Julija were the most popular in 2023 for girls. Names Zala and Mia appeared among today's residents only in the 1940s. Among 1,294 different girls’ names, 769 (59%) appeared only once.
On average fewer births on weekends
On average, 47 children per day were born in Slovenia (one fewer than a year before), during the weekend 10 fewer (37), on a weekday (from Monday to Friday) on average 50. The largest number of children (72) were born on Friday, 12 May, the fewest (24) on Sunday, 17 December.
Substantial differences among statistical regions
There are significant differences among statistical regions regarding basic indicators on births. Last year, the fewest children per 1,000 population (6.6) were born in the Obalno-kraška statistical region, and the most (9.5) in Jugovzhodna Slovenija. The latter has been the region with the highest fertility for several years. Giving birth to the first child, mothers in this region and in Koroška were on average the youngest (28.4 years). They were the oldest in the Obalno-kraška region (30.7 years). Additionally, first-time mothers were also older than 30 years in the Primorsko-notranjska, Goriška and Osrednjeslovenska regions.
In all statistical regions, except in Primorsko-notranjska, more than half of the children were born to unmarried mothers: the share was the highest in Koroška (67.5%), and the lowest in Primorsko-notranjska (45.0%).
Natural decrease in all months
In Slovenia, natural decrease has been recorded every year since 2017, as more people die each year than are born; in 2023, it was −4,551 or −2.1 per 1,000 population. This was the third largest natural decrease since 1945. Natural decrease was recorded in all months. It was the biggest in January and December (−800 and −868).
Tables with the latest data on births and names and on natural increase are published in the SiStat Database.
In 2023, for the first time in Slovenia, fewer than 17,000 children were born: 8,677 boys and 8,312 girls, total 16,989. This is 638 fewer (3.6%) than in 2022 and the fewest in the 102-year history since data on live births have been available. Eight children were born per 1,000 population, which is the lowest number since 1922.
The mean age of first-time mothers up again
The mean age of mother at birth (regardless of birth order) has not changed since 2019. On average, women gave birth at the age of 31.1 years and first-time mothers at the age of 29.7 years. These are the highest values since World War II.
The total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.51, the lowest since 2009. Relatively the most children were born to women aged 28–30 years. Almost half of children (47%) were first born; additional 38% were second order births – the same as in 2022. Those mothers were on average two years older than first-time mothers.
More than half of children born to unmarried mothers
7,383 children were born to married mothers and 9,606 (56.5%) to unmarried mothers. The mean age of married mothers (31.3 years) was 0.4 of a year higher than the mean age of unmarried mothers (30.9 years) – the values are the same as in 2022.
16.5% of mothers with foreign citizenship
2,807 (16.5%) of all children were born to mothers with foreign citizenship. The largest share had the citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina (48%), followed by Kosovo (21%). 9% of the mothers with foreign citizenship had the citizenship of one of the other EU Member States.
Mothers with foreign citizenship were on average 29.4 years old and were two years younger than mothers with Slovenian citizenship (31.4 years). It was the same in 2021 and 2022.
A quarter of children born to mothers with foreign citizenship has a Slovenian citizenship through their father.
The most popular choices Luka and Ema
The name Luka was selected for 198 (2.3%) new-born boys. With the exception of 2021, Luka was ranking first for 23 years. In addition to Luka, other top five names were Nik, Filip, Jakob and Mark. Only Nik appeared among those born in the 1960s, all other names can be found among older generations too. New-born boys were given 1,327 different names, 776 of them (58%) unique.
The most popular girls’ name in 2023 was again Ema. The name was given to 180 (2.2%) girls. The name Ema ranks first among girls born in the 2011–2023 period. In addition, names Hana, Zala, Mia and Julija were the most popular in 2023 for girls. Names Zala and Mia appeared among today's residents only in the 1940s. Among 1,294 different girls’ names, 769 (59%) appeared only once.
On average fewer births on weekends
On average, 47 children per day were born in Slovenia (one fewer than a year before), during the weekend 10 fewer (37), on a weekday (from Monday to Friday) on average 50. The largest number of children (72) were born on Friday, 12 May, the fewest (24) on Sunday, 17 December.
Substantial differences among statistical regions
There are significant differences among statistical regions regarding basic indicators on births. Last year, the fewest children per 1,000 population (6.6) were born in the Obalno-kraška statistical region, and the most (9.5) in Jugovzhodna Slovenija. The latter has been the region with the highest fertility for several years. Giving birth to the first child, mothers in this region and in Koroška were on average the youngest (28.4 years). They were the oldest in the Obalno-kraška region (30.7 years). Additionally, first-time mothers were also older than 30 years in the Primorsko-notranjska, Goriška and Osrednjeslovenska regions.
In all statistical regions, except in Primorsko-notranjska, more than half of the children were born to unmarried mothers: the share was the highest in Koroška (67.5%), and the lowest in Primorsko-notranjska (45.0%).
Natural decrease in all months
In Slovenia, natural decrease has been recorded every year since 2017, as more people die each year than are born; in 2023, it was −4,551 or −2.1 per 1,000 population. This was the third largest natural decrease since 1945. Natural decrease was recorded in all months. It was the biggest in January and December (−800 and −868).
Tables with the latest data on births and names and on natural increase are published in the SiStat Database.
Age-specific general fertility rates, Slovenia
Live births, Slovenia
1) Average number of live born children per one woman in reproductive age. |
Top 10 names of children born in 2023, Slovenia
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Natural increase, Slovenia
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METHODOLOGICAL NOTE
Additional explanations are available in the methodological explanations.
Final detailed data are already available in the SiStat Database, so the release Births, detailed data, 2023, announced for 1 July 2024, will not be published.
Final detailed data are already available in the SiStat Database, so the release Births, detailed data, 2023, announced for 1 July 2024, will not be published.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
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