Birth Rate (%) 2017
Explore birth rate data across countries. Compare rankings, view interactive maps, and analyze historical trends.
Interactive Map
Complete Data Rankings
Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.
- #213
Monaco - #212
Saint Pierre and Miquelon - #211
Andorra - #210
Japan - #209
Puerto Rico - #208
Slovenia - #207
Taiwan - #206
South Korea - #205
Greece - #204
Singapore
Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.
Analysis & Context
In 2017, both Niger and Angola led the world with the highest Birth Rate (%) of 44.2%, while Bulgaria recorded the lowest at 8.7%. The global range for this metric highlights significant demographic differences across countries. The worldwide average birth rate was 19.83%, offering a benchmark for comparison against individual country figures.
High Birth Rates and Economic Context
Countries with the highest birth rates in 2017 are predominantly located in Sub-Saharan Africa, a region known for its youthful population. Niger and Angola both recorded a birth rate of 44.2%, followed closely by Mali at 43.9% and Uganda at 42.9%. These high birth rates are often linked to factors such as limited access to family planning, cultural norms favoring large families, and economic structures reliant on agriculture, where larger families can be advantageous.
Furthermore, countries like Zambia and Burundi with birth rates of 41.5% and 41.3% respectively, reflect similar demographic patterns. These nations typically experience lower levels of urbanization and higher levels of poverty, which can contribute to higher fertility rates.
Low Birth Rates and Societal Shifts
In stark contrast, countries with the lowest birth rates are primarily found in Eastern Europe. Bulgaria, with a birth rate of 8.7%, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8.8%, typify this trend. These countries often face challenges like aging populations, economic migration, and changing social norms that prioritize career over family life.
Similarly, Romania and Croatia, both with a birth rate of 8.9%, are experiencing demographic shifts towards lower fertility. This is often driven by increased urbanization, higher education levels among women, and improved access to contraceptive methods.
Year-over-Year Changes and Their Implications
The year-over-year changes in birth rates reveal dynamic shifts in specific regions. Angola saw the largest increase with a rise of 5.60% (14.5%), suggesting a possible demographic boom or improved reporting mechanisms. Liberia also experienced a significant increase of 4.40% (13.0%), which could be attributed to recovery from past conflicts and improved healthcare systems.
Conversely, American Samoa recorded the largest decrease, with a drop of 3.30% (-14.4%), while Rwanda and Northern Mariana Islands saw declines of 2.60% (-7.8%) and 2.20% (-12.8%) respectively. These reductions may reflect successful family planning initiatives or socio-economic changes prompting smaller family sizes.
Global Trends and Future Implications
The global average birth rate of 19.83% in 2017 underscores the wide variation between different regions, influenced by economic, cultural, and policy factors. High birth rates in countries like Uganda and Burundi suggest a need for enhanced family planning services and educational outreach, while low birth rates in countries such as Serbia and Portugal may necessitate policies encouraging population growth to offset aging demographics.
These patterns are crucial for policymakers and international organizations aiming to balance population growth with sustainable development. Addressing the root causes of high and low birth rates can guide effective policy interventions to support economic stability and improve quality of life worldwide.
Insights by country
Timor-Leste
In 2017, Timor-Leste had a birth rate of 33.4 %, ranking #27 out of 213 countries. This rate is significantly higher than the global average, which is around 18.5%. Contributing factors include a young population and limited access to family planning resources, which are common in developing nations. Additionally, cultural norms in Timor-Leste often favor larger families, further influencing the high birth rate.
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
In 2017, Saint Pierre and Miquelon had a birth rate of 7.1 %, ranking #212 out of 213 countries. This low birth rate is significantly below the global average, reflecting challenges similar to those faced by other small island territories. Contributing factors include a declining population trend and limited economic opportunities, which impact family planning decisions and overall fertility rates.
Wallis and Futuna Islands
In 2017, Wallis and Futuna Islands had a birth rate of 13.2 %, ranking #144 out of 213 countries. This figure is below the global average, reflecting trends in many Pacific Island nations where birth rates are influenced by economic factors and access to healthcare.
The relatively low birth rate can be attributed to factors such as limited economic opportunities and the influence of cultural norms regarding family size, which often prioritize smaller households in urbanized settings.
Syrian Arab Republic
In 2017, the Syrian Arab Republic had a birth rate of 21.2 %, ranking #71 out of 213 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting ongoing demographic trends in the region. Contributing factors include a youthful population and limited access to family planning resources, exacerbated by the socio-economic impacts of ongoing conflict. These dynamics influence population growth despite the challenging circumstances faced by the country.
Thailand
In 2017, Thailand had a birth rate of 11 %, ranking #170 out of 213 countries. This figure is lower than the regional average for Southeast Asia, where birth rates tend to hover around 15-20%. Contributing factors to Thailand's low birth rate include urbanization, increased access to education and healthcare, and changing societal norms regarding family size.
Zambia
Zambia had a birth rate of 41.5 % in 2017, ranking #5 out of 213 countries. This figure is significantly higher than the global average, reflecting the country's young population and high fertility rates. Contributing factors include limited access to family planning services and a cultural emphasis on larger families, which are common in many rural communities across Zambia.
Spain
In 2017, Spain had a birth rate of 9.2 %, ranking #193 out of 213 countries. This figure is notably lower than the European Union average, reflecting broader demographic trends in the region. Contributing factors include economic uncertainty, a high cost of living, and shifting societal norms regarding family size and child-rearing.
Suriname
In 2017, Suriname had a birth rate of 15.8 %, ranking #111 out of 213 countries. This rate is lower than the regional average for South America, which tends to hover around 20%. Contributing factors to Suriname's birth rate include its relatively high levels of urbanization and access to education, which influence family planning and reproductive choices.
Venezuela
In 2017, Venezuela had a birth rate of 18.8 %, ranking #84 out of 213 countries. This figure is notably higher than the global average, reflecting a trend in several Latin American nations. Contributing factors include Venezuela's ongoing economic crisis, which has led to decreased access to healthcare and family planning services, ultimately influencing reproductive choices among its population.
Algeria
In 2017, Algeria had a birth rate of 22.2 %, ranking #64 out of 213 countries. This rate is higher than the global average, reflecting a trend seen in several North African nations. Contributing factors to Algeria's relatively high birth rate include a youthful population and cultural norms that favor larger families, as well as ongoing improvements in healthcare that have reduced infant mortality rates.
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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