Fertility Rate by Country 2024

The fertility rate is a crucial demographic measure that offers insights into population growth, family size, and broader societal trends worldwide. It refers to the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her reproductive lifetime. This rate plays a significant role in shaping a country’s economic development, social structure, and healthcare systems. Nations with high fertility rates often face challenges such as overpopulation, strained resources, and pressure on services like healthcare and education. Conversely, countries with low fertility rates encounter issues related to aging populations, shrinking workforces, and long-term demographic decline.

Several factors influence fertility rates, including cultural norms, education levels, government policies, healthcare access, and economic conditions. Globally, the average fertility rate is around 2.4 children per woman, but there are wide regional disparities. Developing nations, particularly in Africa, generally have higher fertility rates due to early childbearing and limited access to family planning services. On the other hand, more developed regions, especially in East Asia and Europe, tend to have significantly lower fertility rates due to lifestyle changes, economic pressures, and increased educational attainment among women.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Fertility Rates

1. Chad: 6.03 children per women
2. Somalia: 6.01 children per women
3. DR Congo: 5.98 children per women
4. Central African Republic: 5.95 children per women
5. Niger: 5.94 children per women
6. Mali: 5.51 children per women
7. Angola: 5.05 children per women
8. Burundi: 4.79 children per women
9. Afghanistan: 4.76 children per women
10. Mozambique: 4.69 children per women

The countries with the highest fertility rates are predominantly located in sub-Saharan Africa. Chad, with a fertility rate of 6.03, tops the list, closely followed by Somalia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These high fertility rates are often associated with lower access to contraception, cultural norms that favor large families, and limited educational opportunities for women. The Central African Republic and Niger, which rank fourth and fifth, have similar trends where early marriages and childbearing are prevalent.

Higher fertility rates in these nations pose several developmental challenges, including strained resources, underfunded healthcare systems, and difficulties in managing education. While these countries are experiencing population booms, the lack of sufficient infrastructure and economic support makes it difficult to convert their demographic growth into a positive economic outcome. Governments and international organizations are making efforts to improve reproductive healthcare, education, and access to family planning services to bring fertility rates to more sustainable levels.

Top 10 Countries with the Lowest Fertility Rates

1. Macao: 0.68 children per women
2. South Korea: 0.73 children per women
3. Hong Kong: 0.73 children per women
4. Saint Barthélemy: 0.82 children per women
5. Taiwan: 0.86 children per women
6. Puerto Rico: 0.94 children per women
7. Singapore: 0.95 children per women
8. Ukraine: 0.99 children per women
9. Holy See: 1.00 children per women
10. China: 1.01 children per women

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we find countries and territories with the lowest fertility rates, most of which are in East Asia or highly developed regions. Macao, with a fertility rate of 0.68, has the lowest in the world, followed closely by South Korea and Hong Kong. These low rates are often driven by economic pressures, high costs of raising children, changing societal values, and increased participation of women in the workforce.

In countries like South Korea and Japan, the declining birth rate has raised concerns about an aging population and a shrinking workforce, which can slow economic growth and place heavy burdens on social welfare systems. Governments in these regions have implemented policies to encourage childbearing, such as offering financial incentives, parental leave, and childcare support, but the impact has been limited so far. These trends highlight the unique demographic challenges facing developed nations compared to their developing counterparts.

Fertility Rate by Country (Full Table)

The global landscape of fertility rates presents a stark contrast between countries with high and low birth rates. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa struggle with high fertility rates, which contribute to rapid population growth and associated socio-economic challenges. In contrast, highly developed countries, especially in East Asia, are facing the consequences of low fertility, such as aging populations and declining workforces. Understanding fertility rates and their impact is essential for crafting policies that can address both population growth and decline, ensuring sustainable development in diverse contexts.

FAQs

• What country has the highest fertility rate?
  • Chad has the highest fertility rate at 6.03 children per woman.

• Which country has the lowest fertility rate?
  • Macao has the lowest fertility rate at 0.68 children per woman.

• What is the global average fertility rate?
  • The global average fertility rate is approximately 2.4 children per woman.

• How many children does the average woman in Africa have?
  • The average woman in Africa has about 4.4 children.

Source

• World Bank Fertility Data
• UN Data – Total Fertility Rate