Birth Rate (%) 2002
Explore birth rate data across countries. Compare rankings, view interactive maps, and analyze historical trends.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
- #1
Chad - #2
Angola - #3
Congo, Democratic Republic of the - #4
Benin - #5
Afghanistan - #6
Djibouti - #7
Burundi - #8
Comoros - #9
Congo - #10
Central African Republic
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #215
Wallis and Futuna Islands - #214
Tokelau - #213
Italy - #212
Germany - #211
Slovenia - #210
Spain - #209
Ukraine - #208
Sweden - #207
Switzerland - #206
San Marino
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2002, the country with the highest Birth Rate (%) was Niger at 49.95%, while the global range spanned from a minimum of 9.59% to a maximum of 49.95%. The global average Birth Rate (%) stood at 24.04%, with a median of 21.44%, providing a contextual benchmark for comparisons across the 200 countries with available data.
Factors Influencing High Birth Rates in Sub-Saharan Africa
The highest Birth Rate (%) figures in 2002 were predominantly observed in Sub-Saharan African countries. Niger, leading with a birth rate of 49.95%, was closely followed by Mali at 48.37% and Chad at 47.74%. This region's high birth rates can often be attributed to a combination of economic, cultural, and demographic factors. In many of these countries, agriculture-based economies and rural living conditions encourage larger families to provide labor and support. Additionally, cultural norms and limited access to contraception contribute to higher fertility rates.
Low Birth Rates in Developed Nations
At the other end of the spectrum, countries with the lowest Birth Rate (%) in 2002 include Ukraine at 9.59% and Monaco at 9.6%. These lower rates are common in developed nations, where economic structures, higher education levels, and greater access to healthcare and family planning lead to smaller family sizes. For instance, in countries like Sweden (9.81%) and Switzerland (9.84%), social policies supporting work-life balance and gender equality also play a significant role in fertility decisions.
Year-over-Year Changes and Their Implications
The average year-over-year change in Birth Rate (%) was a decrease of 0.32% or -1.2%, indicating a global trend towards declining birth rates. Notable increases were seen in Kazakhstan (+0.53, 3.1%), Tonga (+0.49, 2.1%), and the Republic of Moldova (+0.47, 3.5%). These increases might be linked to economic improvements or social policies encouraging higher fertility. Conversely, significant decreases were recorded in North Korea (-1.15, -6.0%) and Guam (-0.98, -3.9%), possibly due to economic hardships or policy changes affecting family planning.
Socioeconomic Context and Birth Rate Dynamics
The dynamics of Birth Rate (%) are deeply intertwined with socioeconomic contexts. In countries like Iran (+0.44, 2.6%) and Azerbaijan (+0.40, 2.2%), where slight increases were noted, government policies may have shifted to promote population growth as a means of boosting economic development. On the other hand, countries experiencing decreases, such as Kenya (-0.89, -3.1%), may reflect shifts towards urbanization and increased access to education and healthcare, which traditionally correlate with lower birth rates.
Understanding the Birth Rate (%) across different countries involves examining a complex interplay of cultural, economic, and policy-driven factors. These insights not only illuminate the demographic landscape of 2002 but also provide a foundation for analyzing ongoing trends in global population growth.
Insights by country
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom had a birth rate of 11.34 % in 2002, ranking #181 out of 215 countries. This figure was below the global average, reflecting a trend seen in many developed nations where birth rates have generally declined. Contributing factors include increased access to education and career opportunities for women, as well as changing societal norms regarding family size and child-rearing.
Lesotho
In 2002, Lesotho had a birth rate of 30.72 %, ranking #57 out of 215 countries. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the challenges faced by many developing nations. Contributing factors include high levels of poverty and limited access to family planning services, which influence reproductive choices and healthcare availability in the country.
Mozambique
In 2002, Mozambique had a birth rate of 36.41 %, ranking #40 out of 215 countries. This figure is significantly higher than the global average birth rate, which was approximately 24.7% around the same period. Contributing factors to Mozambique's high birth rate include limited access to family planning services, high rates of poverty, and cultural norms that favor larger families.
New Zealand
In 2002, New Zealand had a birth rate of 14.23 %, ranking #155 out of 215 countries. This rate is relatively higher than that of Australia, which had a birth rate of approximately 12.3% around the same period. Contributing factors to New Zealand's birth rate include its relatively young population and favorable policies that support families, such as parental leave and child care subsidies.
Nepal
In 2002, Nepal had a birth rate of 32.94 %, ranking #50 out of 215 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the country's demographic trends and socioeconomic conditions. High fertility rates in Nepal are driven by factors such as limited access to family planning services and cultural norms favoring larger families.
Poland
In 2002, Poland had a birth rate of 10.29 %, ranking #189 out of 215 countries. This figure is notably lower than the global average, reflecting broader trends in Eastern Europe where birth rates have been declining. Contributing factors include economic challenges following the transition from communism, as well as changing social norms that prioritize education and career over early family formation.
Rwanda
In 2002, Rwanda had a birth rate of 33.28 %, ranking #47 out of 215 countries. This rate was significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the country's ongoing challenges with healthcare access and family planning. The high birth rate can be attributed to cultural factors, including a preference for larger families, as well as the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, which impacted population dynamics and economic stability.
Latvia
In 2002, Latvia had a birth rate of 8.27 %, ranking #209 out of 215 countries. This figure is significantly lower than the European average, indicating a trend of declining birth rates across the region. Contributing factors include economic challenges following the transition from Soviet rule, which led to lower fertility rates and a focus on emigration among younger populations.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
In 2002, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had a birth rate of 17.54 %, ranking #132 out of 215 countries. This rate is relatively high compared to some neighboring Caribbean nations, where birth rates can be significantly lower. Contributing factors to this statistic include the country's economic challenges and limited access to family planning resources, which can influence reproductive choices among its population.
Papua New Guinea
In 2002, Papua New Guinea had a birth rate of 31.61 %, ranking #52 out of 215 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the country's youthful population and cultural norms favoring larger families. Contributing factors include limited access to family planning services and a reliance on subsistence agriculture, which often necessitates higher birth rates for labor support.
Data Source
CIA World Factbook
The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.
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