In 2018, the European Union saw a significant variation in the percentage of live births occurring outside of marriage across its member states. France led the statistics with 60.4% of births outside marriage, reflecting a societal shift towards non-traditional family structures. Bulgaria, Slovenia, and Portugal also reported high percentages, with over half of their live births occurring outside marriage. This trend suggests a broader acceptance of cohabitation and non-marital partnerships in these countries. Conversely, Greece reported the lowest percentage at 11.1%, indicating a more traditional approach to family and marriage. Lithuania and Poland also had relatively low percentages, both at 26.4%, suggesting cultural or religious influences that favor marriage before childbirth. The EU average stood at 42.4%, highlighting a diverse range of family dynamics across the region. These statistics reveal intriguing cultural differences within the EU, with some countries embracing modern family structures more readily than others. The data underscores the importance of understanding local cultural contexts when analyzing demographic trends.
