The fertility rate in Hungary is again decreasing despite years of lavish state subsidies.

From a record low of 1.23 children per woman in 2011, the country’s fertility rate rose to 1.59 in 2020, but in recent years it has fallen and levelled off at about 1.5.

However, in the first half of this year the fertility rate stood at only 1.36 babies per woman, the lowest in a decade, according to state statistical service KSH. The fertility rate in Ireland is now 1.5 and is well below the replacement level of 2.1 in almost all European countries despite varying family policies.

In January–June 2024, 37,898 children were born in Hungary, which was 4,059 or 9.7% less than in the same period last year.

In June alone, births fell to a record monthly low of barely 6,000 children in the country of 10 million, or about half the level of live births seen a generation ago.

That total of 6,040 children was 17% or 1,217 fewer than in June 2023.