Total fertility rate 2019

The total fertility rate measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime, reflecting population growth and demographic trends. Understanding this statistic is crucial for analyzing economic development, healthcare needs, and societal changes across countries.

236 data points•Updated 11/4/2025•World•United Nations Population Division•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Somalia	6.56 per woman
2	Niger	6.537 per woman
3	Chad	6.412 per woman
4	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	6.253 per woman
5	Central African Republic	6.09 per woman
6	Mali	5.892 per woman
7	Angola	5.442 per woman
8	Burundi	5.271 per woman
9	Afghanistan	5.238 per woman
10	Mozambique	5.016 per woman
11	Mauritania	4.984 per woman
12	Benin	4.9 per woman
13	Tanzania	4.866 per woman
14	Nigeria	4.861 per woman
15	Uganda	4.744 per woman
16	Burkina Faso	4.681 per woman
17	Cameroon	4.651 per woman
18	Sudan	4.617 per woman
19	Yemen	4.603 per woman
20	Mayotte	4.58 per woman
21	Guinea	4.576 per woman
22	Côte d'Ivoire	4.523 per woman
23	Togo	4.45 per woman
24	Equatorial Guinea	4.429 per woman
25	Zambia	4.418 per woman
26	Congo	4.38 per woman
27	Ethiopia	4.347 per woman
28	Gambia	4.33 per woman
29	South Sudan	4.26 per woman
30	Liberia	4.257 per woman
31	Madagascar	4.221 per woman
32	Sierra Leone	4.192 per woman
33	Guinea-Bissau	4.153 per woman
34	Comoros	4.138 per woman
35	Senegal	4.1 per woman
36	Samoa	4.061 per woman
37	Eritrea	3.997 per woman
38	Rwanda	3.985 per woman
39	Malawi	3.952 per woman
40	Sao Tome and Principe	3.9 per woman
41	Gabon	3.884 per woman
42	Pakistan	3.81 per woman
43	Solomon Islands	3.8 per woman
44	Vanuatu	3.79 per woman
45	Zimbabwe	3.748 per woman
46	French Guiana	3.732 per woman
47	Ghana	3.593 per woman
48	State of Palestine	3.591 per woman
49	Nauru	3.531 per woman
50	Iraq	3.48 per woman
51	Kenya	3.433 per woman
52	Namibia	3.404 per woman
53	Tuvalu	3.331 per woman
54	Kyrgyzstan	3.33 per woman
55	Papua New Guinea	3.322 per woman
56	Kiribati	3.29 per woman
57	Tajikistan	3.281 per woman
58	Tonga	3.274 per woman
59	Timor-Leste	3.116 per woman
60	Israel	3.034 per woman
61	Marshall Islands	3.012 per woman
62	Mongolia	3.008 per woman
63	Algeria	2.997 per woman
64	Guam	2.938 per woman
65	Eswatini	2.925 per woman
66	Lesotho	2.924 per woman
67	Botswana	2.906 per woman
68	Kazakhstan	2.89 per woman
69	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	2.883 per woman
70	Syrian Arab Republic	2.878 per woman
71	Egypt	2.87 per woman
72	Uzbekistan	2.869 per woman
73	Haiti	2.862 per woman
74	Jordan	2.855 per woman
75	Turkmenistan	2.834 per woman
76	Djibouti	2.798 per woman
77	Saint Martin (French part)	2.791 per woman
78	Tokelau	2.745 per woman
79	Cambodia	2.725 per woman
80	Oman	2.696 per woman
81	Bolivia	2.688 per woman
82	Niue	2.629 per woman
83	Honduras	2.611 per woman
84	Guatemala	2.593 per woman
85	Laos	2.589 per woman
86	Northern Mariana Islands	2.559 per woman
87	Libya	2.539 per woman
88	Paraguay	2.525 per woman
89	Guyana	2.521 per woman
90	Saudi Arabia	2.49 per woman
91	American Samoa	2.404 per woman
92	Monaco	2.403 per woman
93	Faroe Islands	2.399 per woman
94	Fiji	2.385 per woman
95	Dominican Republic	2.366 per woman
96	Suriname	2.347 per woman
97	Morocco	2.342 per woman
98	Lebanon	2.327 per woman
99	Nicaragua	2.321 per woman
100	Panama	2.288 per woman
101	Western Sahara	2.281 per woman
102	South Africa	2.264 per woman
103	Seychelles	2.262 per woman
104	Philippines	2.215 per woman
105	Myanmar	2.206 per woman
106	Indonesia	2.205 per woman
107	Bangladesh	2.18 per woman
108	United States Virgin Islands	2.162 per woman
109	Guadeloupe	2.149 per woman
110	Belize	2.142 per woman
111	Réunion	2.133 per woman
112	Venezuela	2.131 per woman
113	Cook Islands	2.127 per woman
114	India	2.12 per woman
115	Tunisia	2.1 per woman
116	Kuwait	2.087 per woman
117	Peru	2.086 per woman
118	Nepal	2.08 per woman
119	New Caledonia	2.05 per woman
120	Wallis and Futuna Islands	2.048 per woman
121	Ecuador	2.035 per woman
122	Martinique	2.025 per woman
123	Sri Lanka	2.022 per woman
124	Georgia	2.021 per woman
125	Mexico	2.02 per woman
126	Greenland	2.006 per woman
127	Palau	1.984 per woman
128	Vietnam	1.943 per woman
129	Gibraltar	1.912 per woman
130	Turkey	1.886 per woman
131	Argentina	1.882 per woman
132	Montserrat	1.865 per woman
133	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1.864 per woman
134	Azerbaijan	1.845 per woman
135	Bahrain	1.843 per woman
136	El Salvador	1.838 per woman
137	France	1.826 per woman
138	North Korea	1.825 per woman
139	Brunei Darussalam	1.819 per woman
140	Montenegro	1.814 per woman
141	Republic of Moldova	1.78 per woman
142	Malaysia	1.777 per woman
143	Iran	1.766 per woman
144	Czech Republic	1.753 per woman
145	Iceland	1.744 per woman
146	Qatar	1.731 per woman
147	Ireland	1.718 per woman
148	New Zealand	1.717 per woman
149	Barbados	1.715 per woman
150	Romania	1.711 per woman
151	Colombia	1.71 per woman
152	Sweden	1.709 per woman
153	Brazil	1.705 per woman
154	Aruba	1.701 per woman
155	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	1.701 per woman
156	Cabo Verde	1.698 per woman
157	Denmark	1.698 per woman
158	United States	1.684 per woman
159	Saint Helena	1.668 per woman
160	Australia	1.666 per woman
161	Estonia	1.661 per woman
162	North Macedonia	1.651 per woman
163	Maldives	1.64 per woman
164	United Kingdom	1.632 per woman
165	Turks and Caicos Islands	1.617 per woman
166	Slovenia	1.611 per woman
167	Lithuania	1.61 per woman
168	Latvia	1.609 per woman
169	Belgium	1.609 per woman
170	Isle of Man	1.606 per woman
171	Armenia	1.601 per woman
172	Costa Rica	1.6 per woman
173	Bulgaria	1.58 per woman
174	Trinidad and Tobago	1.578 per woman
175	Kosovo	1.575 per woman
176	Netherlands	1.572 per woman
177	Saint Kitts and Nevis	1.568 per woman
178	Uruguay	1.567 per woman
179	French Polynesia	1.567 per woman
180	Slovakia	1.566 per woman
181	Grenada	1.542 per woman
182	Germany	1.541 per woman
183	Cuba	1.54 per woman
184	Norway	1.533 per woman
185	Hungary	1.531 per woman
186	Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba	1.52 per woman
187	Serbia	1.513 per woman
188	Bosnia and Herzegovina	1.509 per woman
189	Cayman Islands	1.508 per woman
190	Russia	1.504 per woman
191	Dominica	1.504 per woman
192	China	1.496 per woman
193	Liechtenstein	1.483 per woman
194	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	1.481 per woman
195	Switzerland	1.478 per woman
196	Canada	1.476 per woman
197	Croatia	1.47 per woman
198	Antigua and Barbuda	1.468 per woman
199	Austria	1.464 per woman
200	Bhutan	1.448 per woman
201	Poland	1.436 per woman
202	Chile	1.43 per woman
203	Saint Lucia	1.424 per woman
204	Portugal	1.421 per woman
205	Bahamas	1.397 per woman
206	Albania	1.395 per woman
207	Jamaica	1.39 per woman
208	Belarus	1.389 per woman
209	Bermuda	1.383 per woman
210	Anguilla	1.377 per woman
211	Jersey	1.36 per woman
212	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	1.358 per woman
213	Finland	1.351 per woman
214	Mauritius	1.351 per woman
215	Luxembourg	1.343 per woman
216	Greece	1.337 per woman
217	Cyprus	1.33 per woman
218	Japan	1.323 per woman
219	Guernsey	1.323 per woman
220	Thailand	1.285 per woman
221	Italy	1.259 per woman
222	United Arab Emirates	1.247 per woman
223	Spain	1.23 per woman
224	Ukraine	1.218 per woman
225	Curaçao	1.181 per woman
226	Malta	1.15 per woman
227	San Marino	1.096 per woman
228	China, Hong Kong SAR	1.055 per woman
229	Andorra	1.045 per woman
230	Taiwan	1.045 per woman
231	Puerto Rico	0.979 per woman
232	Singapore	0.942 per woman
233	British Virgin Islands	0.941 per woman
234	China, Macao SAR	0.936 per woman
235	South Korea	0.881 per woman
236	Saint Barthélemy	0.734 per woman

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

The Total fertility rate is a critical demographic measure that reflects the average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime. This statistic is essential in understanding population dynamics, economic development, and societal changes across countries. In 2019, the Total fertility rate offered valuable insights into national and global trends, helping policymakers and researchers analyze potential future needs in healthcare, education, and social services.

Global Fertility Trends in 2019

The Total fertility rate varied significantly across the globe in 2019, showcasing a wide range of demographic behaviors. With data from 200 countries, the total fertility rate exhibited a minimum of 1.45 children per woman, with the lowest figures recorded in Bhutan, and a maximum of 6.56, observed in Somalia. The global average stood at 2.73, reflecting a general trend towards lower fertility rates as compared to previous generations. This trend indicates a gradual shift towards smaller family sizes, likely influenced by factors such as increased access to education and family planning, urbanization, and economic developments.

High and Low Fertility Countries

In 2019, Somalia led as the country with the highest fertility rate at 6.56 children per woman, followed closely by Niger with a rate of 6.54. Other countries with high fertility rates included Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Central African Republic. These countries, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, often experience high fertility due to factors such as lower access to education and healthcare, cultural norms favoring large families, and limited access to contraception.

Conversely, the countries with the lowest fertility rates were predominantly in Europe and parts of East Asia, including Bhutan, Austria, and Croatia, with rates hovering around 1.45 to 1.50 children per woman. Such low figures reflect advanced socioeconomic conditions, where women often prioritize education and career over early motherhood, and where family planning services are readily accessible.

Year-Over-Year Changes

Comparing 2019 to previous years, certain countries experienced notable shifts in fertility rates. The overall average change was a decrease of 0.05 children per woman, equivalent to a 1.6% decline, highlighting a gradual global reduction in fertility. Wallis and Futuna Islands saw the most significant increase in fertility rate, jumping by 0.33 children per woman, a 19.4% rise, which could be attributed to policy changes or improvements in maternal health services.

In contrast, several countries experienced significant declines. Burkina Faso and Mali saw decreases of 0.24 and 0.23 children per woman, respectively. Such reductions might result from enhanced family planning initiatives or shifts in societal attitudes towards family size. Notably, Argentina faced a dramatic 9.0% drop, indicating potential economic or social pressures influencing reproductive decisions.

Demographic and Societal Implications

The 2019 Total fertility rate data reflects broader demographic trends that carry significant implications for societies worldwide. Countries with high fertility rates primarily face challenges related to resource allocation for youth, such as expanding educational facilities and healthcare services. Conversely, nations with low fertility rates often confront the issue of aging populations, with potential labor shortages and increased demand for elder care services.

These trends underscore the need for targeted policies to balance growth and support sustainable development. High-fertility countries might focus on increasing access to education and healthcare to empower women and promote family planning. Low-fertility nations may need to consider policies that encourage higher birth rates, such as providing parental leave and childcare support, to maintain population stability.

Policy and Economic Context

The variations in the Total fertility rate are not only demographic in nature but also reflect the economic and policy environments. Economic development often correlates with lower fertility rates, as seen in wealthier countries with robust social support systems. Government policies can significantly impact fertility rates by influencing family planning services, healthcare access, and educational opportunities.

International organizations and national governments can leverage this data to implement effective strategies aimed at achieving sustainable population growth. Understanding the underlying factors driving fertility trends is essential for formulating policies that align with national and global developmental goals.

The 2019 Total fertility rate thus provides a crucial lens through which we can examine global demographic shifts, economic conditions, and policy impacts. It helps in anticipating future societal needs and creating informed strategies for sustainable growth and development. By closely monitoring these trends, countries can better prepare for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Insights by country

Seychelles

Seychelles ranks 103rd out of 236 countries regarding its total fertility rate. In 2019, the total fertility rate in Seychelles was recorded at 2.261953 children per woman. This figure is indicative of a population that is nearing replacement level, as a total fertility rate of approximately 2.1 is considered necessary to maintain a stable population in the absence of migration.

The relatively high fertility rate in Seychelles can be attributed to several factors, including cultural norms, access to healthcare services, and education levels. Despite being a small island nation, Seychelles has made significant strides in improving women's access to education and healthcare, which often correlates with changes in fertility patterns. Nevertheless, the country still faces challenges related to balancing family size preferences with economic opportunities.

Interestingly, Seychelles has a higher total fertility rate compared to many other countries in the region, which may be reflective of its unique socio-economic context and lifestyle. As a nation that relies heavily on tourism and fisheries, the dynamics of family planning and reproductive health continue to evolve, warranting ongoing observation and study.

Paraguay

In 2019, Paraguay had a total fertility rate of 2.524779 children per woman, ranking it 88th out of 236 countries in terms of fertility rates. This statistic indicates that, on average, women in Paraguay were expected to have just over two and a half children during their reproductive years, which is slightly above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman.

The total fertility rate in Paraguay has been influenced by several factors, including improvements in education and access to reproductive health services, alongside economic development and urbanization. As women increasingly participate in the workforce and pursue higher education, fertility rates tend to decline, reflecting a shift in societal norms and family planning practices.

Interestingly, Paraguay's fertility rate is higher than the global average, which was approximately 2.4 in 2019. This suggests that while Paraguay is experiencing a decline in fertility over time, it still maintains a relatively high rate compared to many developed countries where fertility rates have fallen significantly below replacement levels.

Lithuania

Lithuania ranks 167th out of 236 countries in terms of total fertility rate, with a rate of 1.610225 children per woman in the year 2019. This figure indicates that the country is experiencing a fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1, which is necessary for a population to maintain its size without immigration.

Several factors contribute to this low fertility rate in Lithuania, including economic challenges, high levels of emigration, and changing societal norms regarding family and childbearing. Many Lithuanians prioritize education and career development, which can lead to delayed family formation and fewer children being born.

Interestingly, Lithuania's fertility rate is reflective of broader trends observed in many European countries, where similar socio-economic factors have led to declining birth rates. Additionally, Lithuania has seen various government initiatives aimed at encouraging higher birth rates, such as financial incentives for families, which may influence future trends.

State of Palestine

The State of Palestine ranked 48th out of 236 countries in terms of total fertility rate in the year 2019, with a rate of 3.591208 births per woman. This relatively high fertility rate reflects cultural norms and socio-economic factors prevalent in the region, where larger families are often valued.

Several factors contribute to the total fertility rate in the State of Palestine, including limited access to family planning, a young population, and prevailing traditional views on family size. The socio-political context, including economic hardship and instability, may also influence reproductive choices, as families may opt for more children as a form of security.

Additionally, the fertility rate in the State of Palestine is higher than the global average, indicative of regional trends in the Middle East where fertility rates have historically been elevated. The demographic profile of the population, characterized by a significant proportion of youth, further exacerbates this trend towards higher fertility rates.

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic ranks 95th out of 236 countries in terms of total fertility rate. In 2019, the country recorded a total fertility rate of 2.366177 children per woman, reflecting a significant demographic transition as it moves toward lower fertility levels.

This fertility rate suggests that families are increasingly opting for fewer children, a trend influenced by factors such as improved access to education, especially for women, and greater availability of reproductive health services. Economic development and urbanization have also played crucial roles in shaping family planning choices, leading to a shift in societal norms regarding childbearing.

Moreover, the Dominican Republic has seen a gradual decline in fertility rates over the past few decades, indicative of broader global trends where countries experience lower birth rates as they develop economically. For context, the global average fertility rate in 2019 was approximately 2.4 children per woman, illustrating that the Dominican Republic's rate is closely aligned with global patterns.

Luxembourg

In 2019, Luxembourg recorded a total fertility rate of 1.34 children per woman, ranking 215th out of 236 countries globally. This rate is indicative of a demographic trend characterized by lower birth rates, which is reflective of broader patterns observed in many developed nations.

The relatively low fertility rate in Luxembourg can be attributed to several factors, including increased access to education and employment opportunities for women, as well as a cultural shift towards prioritizing career and personal development over starting families at younger ages. Additionally, the high cost of living in Luxembourg may discourage larger families.

Interestingly, this fertility rate is below the replacement level of approximately 2.1 children per woman, which is necessary to maintain a stable population without immigration. This trend poses potential long-term challenges for the country's demographic structure and labor market as it faces an aging population.

Brunei Darussalam

In 2019, Brunei Darussalam had a total fertility rate of 1.819464 children per woman, ranking 139th out of 236 countries. This statistic indicates a fertility rate below the replacement level of 2.1, which is necessary for a population to maintain its size without immigration.

The low fertility rate in Brunei can be attributed to several factors, including increased access to education and employment for women, urbanization, and a shift towards smaller family sizes, which are common in many developed nations. Economic stability and the availability of family planning resources have also contributed to this trend.

Interestingly, Brunei's low fertility rate is consistent with broader trends observed in Southeast Asia, where many countries are experiencing similar declines in birth rates. This phenomenon has implications for the country’s demographic structure, potentially leading to an aging population in the future.

American Samoa

In 2019, American Samoa had a total fertility rate of 2.403681 children per woman, ranking it 91st out of 236 countries globally. This relatively high fertility rate is indicative of cultural norms where larger families are often preferred and supported within the community.

Several factors contribute to this statistic, including traditional values that emphasize family and community, as well as access to healthcare services that facilitate childbirth and maternal care. Additionally, American Samoa's unique status as a U.S. territory impacts its demographics and family planning practices, often reflecting both local customs and broader influences from the mainland.

It is also noteworthy that the fertility rate in American Samoa has been influenced by factors such as education levels and economic conditions, with higher fertility rates often observed in communities where access to family planning resources is limited. The fertility rate provides insight into the population growth dynamics and potential future challenges related to resource allocation and social services in the region.

Mauritius

Mauritius ranks 214 out of 236 countries in terms of total fertility rate as of 2019. The total fertility rate in Mauritius is 1.35064 children per woman, which is significantly below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman that is generally considered necessary to maintain a stable population without immigration.

This low fertility rate can be attributed to several factors, including increased access to education and employment opportunities for women, urbanization, and the widespread use of contraceptive methods. Additionally, the cultural shift towards smaller family sizes and economic considerations play a role in family planning decisions.

Interestingly, this fertility rate is reflective of broader trends observed in many developed and developing nations, where urban lifestyles and economic pressures contribute to a decline in birth rates. As of 2019, Mauritius's demographic trends indicate challenges regarding an aging population and potential labor shortages in the future.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands has a notably low total fertility rate of 0.94104 children per woman, ranking 233rd out of 236 countries in 2019. This statistic indicates that the population growth is significantly below the replacement level, which is typically considered to be around 2.1 children per woman.

Several factors contribute to this low fertility rate, including high access to family planning services, increased participation of women in the workforce, and a cultural shift towards smaller family sizes. Economic considerations, such as the cost of raising children in a relatively affluent society, may also play a significant role in family planning decisions.

Interestingly, the British Virgin Islands' fertility rate reflects broader regional trends observed in many Caribbean nations, where fertility rates have been declining over recent decades as education and healthcare improve. This aligns with global patterns where urbanization and changes in societal norms are influencing reproductive behaviors.

Data Source

United Nations Population Division

The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs conducts demographic research, supports intergovernmental processes at the United Nations in the area of population and development, and assists countries in developing their capacity to produce and analyse population data and information. The Division brings population issues to the attention of the international community by highlighting the central role of demographic trends in all aspects of sustainable development. The Division publishes datasets on the world’s population and analyzes global demographic trends.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Total fertility rate data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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