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Fertility & birth rates in Afghanistan and China

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has an annual birth rate of 35.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 6.39 for China. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.84 in Afghanistan and 1 in China — 79.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 33.5% in Afghanistan and by 77.6% in China — in 1960, it was 7.28 and 4.45, respectively.

  • Afghanistan is ranked 9/196 by birth rate compared to 191/196 for China.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.6 in Afghanistan — it's 29.4 in China.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 64.1 in Afghanistan vs 5.23 in China.
  • In Afghanistan, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 22.3% in China.

Fertility rate in Afghanistan vs China by year

Afghanistan
China
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan China
2023 4.84 1
2022 4.93 1.03
2021 5.04 1.12
2020 5.15 1.24
2019 5.24 1.5
2018 5.33 1.54
2017 5.43 1.8
2016 5.54 1.77
2015 5.65 1.67
2014 5.77 1.77
2013 5.88 1.71
2012 5.99 1.8
2011 6.09 1.67
2010 6.2 1.69
2009 6.3 1.71
2008 6.39 1.7
2007 6.51 1.67
2006 6.69 1.64
2005 6.86 1.62
2004 7.02 1.61
2003 7.17 1.57
2002 7.32 1.57
2001 7.45 1.56
2000 7.57 1.63
1999 7.64 1.53
1998 7.69 1.52
1997 7.73 1.53
1996 7.76 1.55
1995 7.77 1.59
1994 7.77 1.63
1993 7.76 1.69
1992 7.7 1.78
1991 7.63 1.93
1990 7.58 2.51
1989 7.56 2.52
1988 7.55 2.54
1987 7.55 2.76
1986 7.55 2.72
1985 7.55 2.63
1984 7.55 2.61
1983 7.57 2.56
1982 7.6 2.97
1981 7.62 2.79
1980 7.64 2.74
1979 7.61 2.75
1978 7.6 2.72
1977 7.59 2.84
1976 7.56 3.24
1975 7.54 3.57
1974 7.53 4.17
1973 7.49 4.73
1972 7.45 5.11
1971 7.43 5.52
1970 7.4 6.09
1969 7.39 6.18
1968 7.36 6.51
1967 7.34 5.81
1966 7.32 6.31
1965 7.31 6.61
1964 7.3 6.67
1963 7.3 7.51
1962 7.29 6.09
1961 7.28 3.86
1960 7.28 4.45

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Afghanistan was 4.84 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1 in China in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Afghanistan vs China population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Afghanistan
China
1x
Year Natural population change
Afghanistan China
2023 1,228,719 -2,087,851
2022 1,219,475 -847,305
2021 1,133,611 480,203
2020 1,134,407 2,046,095
2019 1,138,485 4,673,713
2018 1,115,262 5,302,433
2017 1,101,218 7,790,880
2016 1,090,016 9,062,269
2015 1,077,068 6,788,911
2014 1,053,788 9,205,180
2013 1,033,778 8,043,116
2012 1,004,814 10,075,174
2011 966,743 8,245,065
2010 943,473 6,407,607
2009 920,581 6,483,236
2008 891,246 6,729,247
2007 889,848 6,813,465
2006 875,301 6,922,185
2005 855,112 7,678,911
2004 850,940 7,607,960
2003 826,165 7,743,284
2002 776,048 8,258,580
2001 764,090 8,839,358
2000 782,727 9,570,849
1999 760,727 10,247,372
1998 719,860 11,351,286
1997 709,778 12,374,554
1996 685,005 12,686,872
1995 653,280 12,711,220
1994 609,096 13,360,470
1993 541,257 13,493,138
1992 440,132 13,548,601
1991 409,954 14,937,124
1990 402,433 16,335,313
1989 381,158 16,824,495
1988 358,397 17,328,640
1987 314,361 18,005,821
1986 310,066 16,609,920
1985 228,469 14,987,830
1984 205,262 13,561,671
1983 263,778 13,599,789
1982 263,210 15,815,318
1981 343,468 14,461,027
1980 365,396 11,647,260
1979 361,750 11,250,148
1978 369,101 11,473,980
1977 372,567 11,378,068
1976 357,775 11,782,472
1975 343,850 14,378,237
1974 330,232 15,738,118
1973 315,062 18,423,727
1972 300,633 19,102,585
1971 288,267 19,622,980
1970 275,129 21,137,076
1969 263,823 20,760,332
1968 251,798 21,206,083
1967 239,967 19,263,662
1966 228,786 19,282,187
1965 217,741 20,296,950
1964 207,867 19,302,532
1963 198,035 22,742,225
1962 188,427 17,969,132
1961 179,094 2,496,047
1960 170,257 -3,048,510

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

The chart above illustrates the comparison of the absolute yearly changes in population resulting from births and deaths.

Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was +2.96% in Afghanistan and -0.15% in China.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.04% in Afghanistan and +0.31% in China.

Birth rate in Afghanistan vs China by year

Afghanistan
China

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Afghanistan China
2023 35.4 6.39
2022 36 6.77
2021 36.3 7.52
2020 36.6 8.52
2019 37.1 10.4
2018 37.6 10.9
2017 38.2 12.6
2016 38.7 13.6
2015 39.4 12
2014 39.6 13.8
2013 40.3 13
2012 40.7 14.6
2011 41 13.3
2010 41.8 11.9
2009 42.2 12
2008 42.5 12.1
2007 43.8 12.1
2006 44.1 12.1
2005 45 12.4
2004 46.5 12.3
2003 47.1 12.4
2002 47.5 12.9
2001 49.6 13.4
2000 51.5 14
1999 50.9 14.6
1998 51.5 15.6
1997 52.1 16.6
1996 52.5 17
1995 52.7 17.1
1994 52.4 17.7
1993 50.8 18.1
1992 50.3 18.3
1991 52.3 19.7
1990 52.9 21.1
1989 51.7 21.6
1988 51.7 22.4
1987 52.2 23.3
1986 52.2 22.4
1985 51.7 21
1984 50.4 19.9
1983 51.2 20.2
1982 52 22.3
1981 55.2 20.9
1980 53.5 18.2
1979 52 17.8
1978 51.3 18.3
1977 51.3 18.9
1976 51.3 19.9
1975 51.3 23
1974 51.4 24.8
1973 51.3 27.9
1972 51.2 29.8
1971 51.3 30.7
1970 51.2 33.4
1969 51.3 34.1
1968 51.2 35.6
1967 51.1 34
1966 51 35.1
1965 50.9 37.9
1964 50.9 39.1
1963 50.8 43.4
1962 50.7 37
1961 50.6 18
1960 50.5 20.9

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 35.4 in Afghanistan and 6.39 in China, compared with 50.5 and 20.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Afghanistan China
Fertility rate 4.84 1
Fertility rate rank 9/196 192/196
Birth rate 35.4 6.39
Birth rate rank 9/196 191/196
Population change due to births and deaths +1,228,719 -2,087,851
Natural population change rank 13/196 196/196
Natural population change rate +2.96% -0.15%
Population growth +2.88% -0.12%
Population growth rank 20/197 173/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 30.6 years 29.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56.8 5.17
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 195.6 56.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 93.7 8.76
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 22.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 19.8% 80.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 61.8% 99.9%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.43% 0.28%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 5.04% 0.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 5.55% 0.62%
Life expectancy 66.8 years 79 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Afghanistan
Factual

UN forecast
China
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Afghanistan China
2100 21% 7.83%
2099 21.2% 7.84%
2098 21.3% 7.87%
2097 21.5% 7.91%
2096 21.6% 7.96%
2095 21.8% 8.03%
2094 21.9% 8.1%
2093 22.1% 8.18%
2092 22.3% 8.26%
2091 22.4% 8.34%
2090 22.6% 8.41%
2089 22.8% 8.47%
2088 23% 8.52%
2087 23.1% 8.55%
2086 23.3% 8.57%
2085 23.5% 8.57%
2084 23.7% 8.56%
2083 23.9% 8.53%
2082 24.2% 8.48%
2081 24.4% 8.41%
2080 24.6% 8.34%
2079 24.8% 8.25%
2078 25% 8.15%
2077 25.3% 8.06%
2076 25.5% 7.96%
2075 25.8% 7.86%
2074 26% 7.77%
2073 26.2% 7.7%
2072 26.5% 7.64%
2071 26.7% 7.6%
2070 27% 7.58%
2069 27.3% 7.59%
2068 27.5% 7.63%
2067 27.8% 7.7%
2066 28% 7.8%
2065 28.3% 7.93%
2064 28.6% 8.08%
2063 28.8% 8.25%
2062 29.1% 8.44%
2061 29.4% 8.64%
2060 29.6% 8.84%
2059 29.9% 9.03%
2058 30.2% 9.22%
2057 30.4% 9.39%
2056 30.7% 9.54%
2055 31.1% 9.67%
2054 31.4% 9.78%
2053 31.7% 9.86%
2052 32% 9.92%
2051 32.4% 9.94%
2050 32.7% 9.94%
2049 33.1% 9.92%
2048 33.4% 9.88%
2047 33.8% 9.82%
2046 34.2% 9.75%
2045 34.6% 9.67%
2044 35% 9.59%
2043 35.4% 9.52%
2042 35.8% 9.46%
2041 36.3% 9.4%
2040 36.7% 9.35%
2039 37.2% 9.32%
2038 37.6% 9.3%
2037 38% 9.32%
2036 38.4% 9.42%
2035 38.8% 9.63%
2034 39.2% 10%
2033 39.6% 10.5%
2032 40.1% 11.2%
2031 40.5% 11.8%
2030 40.9% 12.4%
2029 41.3% 13.1%
2028 41.7% 13.8%
2027 42% 14.5%
2026 42.4% 15.1%
2025 42.7% 15.7%
2024 42.9% 16%
2023 43.2% 16.6%
2022 43.6% 17.1%
2021 43.9% 17.6%
2020 44.2% 18%
2019 44.6% 18.2%
2018 45% 18.3%
2017 45.4% 18.4%
2016 45.8% 18.3%
2015 46.3% 18.3%
2014 46.7% 18.3%
2013 47.2% 18.3%
2012 47.6% 18.3%
2011 48% 18.3%
2010 48.5% 18.5%
2009 48.9% 18.6%
2008 49.3% 18.9%
2007 49.6% 19.2%
2006 49.9% 19.6%
2005 50% 20.3%
2004 50.2% 21.2%
2003 50.2% 22%
2002 50.2% 22.9%
2001 50.2% 23.8%
2000 50% 24.5%
1999 49.8% 25.2%
1998 49.6% 25.7%
1997 49.3% 26.3%
1996 49% 27%
1995 48.7% 27.4%
1994 48.5% 27.8%
1993 48.2% 28.2%
1992 48% 28.4%
1991 47.8% 28.6%
1990 47.7% 28.8%
1989 47.5% 28.9%
1988 47.4% 29.3%
1987 47.3% 29.8%
1986 47.2% 30.4%
1985 47% 31.2%
1984 46.8% 32.2%
1983 46.6% 33.3%
1982 46.5% 34.3%
1981 46.3% 35.1%
1980 46.1% 36.1%
1979 45.8% 37.2%
1978 45.6% 38.6%
1977 45.4% 39.8%
1976 45.2% 40.3%
1975 45% 40.2%
1974 44.8% 40.2%
1973 44.6% 40.1%
1972 44.4% 40.4%
1971 44.2% 40.7%
1970 43.9% 40.8%
1969 43.7% 41%
1968 43.4% 41%
1967 43.2% 41.3%
1966 42.9% 41.5%
1965 42.6% 41.5%
1964 42.4% 41.2%
1963 42.2% 40.6%
1962 42.1% 40%
1961 42% 40%
1960 41.9% 40.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 42.9% of the population in Afghanistan and 16% in China in 2024, compared to 47.7% and 28.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Afghanistan and China compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Afghanistan vs China

Afghanistan
China
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Afghanistan China
2023 521 16
2022 551 18
2021 660 21
2020 634 20
2019 601 21
2018 629 22
2017 659 24
2016 702 25
2015 741 26
2014 755 28
2013 778 30
2012 810 32
2011 838 33
2010 893 34
2009 925 35
2008 955 38
2007 1,032 38
2006 1,069 40
2005 1,108 42
2004 1,166 45
2003 1,201 47
2002 1,263 50
2001 1,311 52
2000 1,372 56
1999 1,346 58
1998 1,464 60
1997 1,376 63
1996 1,389 67
1995 1,414 71
1994 1,396 76
1993 1,347 80
1992 1,443 86
1991 1,534 92
1990 1,550 102
1989 1,520 104
1988 1,572 108
1987 1,821 114
1986 1,857 120
1985 2,232 125

Data sources: World Bank | Gender (1985–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 521 deaths per 100,000 live births in Afghanistan, compared to 16 deaths in China.

Under-five mortality rates

Afghanistan
China

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Afghanistan China
2023 5.55% 0.62%
2022 5.74% 0.66%
2021 5.93% 0.7%
2020 6.13% 0.75%
2019 6.33% 0.8%
2018 6.54% 0.86%
2017 6.76% 0.92%
2016 7% 0.99%
2015 7.24% 1.07%
2014 7.51% 1.15%
2013 7.8% 1.25%
2012 8.12% 1.35%
2011 8.46% 1.46%
2010 8.83% 1.58%
2009 9.22% 1.71%
2008 9.63% 1.85%
2007 10.1% 2.01%
2006 10.5% 2.19%
2005 11% 2.4%
2004 11.4% 2.64%
2003 11.9% 2.89%
2002 12.3% 3.15%
2001 12.7% 3.42%
2000 13.2% 3.67%
1999 13.6% 3.91%
1998 14% 4.14%
1997 14.4% 4.36%
1996 14.8% 4.56%
1995 15.3% 4.75%
1994 15.8% 4.93%
1993 16.3% 5.08%
1992 16.9% 5.22%
1991 17.4% 5.31%
1990 18.1% 5.37%
1989 18.7% 5.39%
1988 21.8% 5.4%
1987 24.7% 5.4%
1986 25.3% 5.4%
1985 30.1% 5.43%
1984 30.9% 5.5%
1983 27.4% 5.61%
1982 28% 5.78%
1981 23.9% 6%
1980 24.6% 6.28%
1979 25.2% 6.62%
1978 25.8% 7.01%
1977 26.4% 7.47%
1976 27% 7.97%
1975 27.5% 8.5%
1974 28.1% 9.05%
1973 28.6% 9.61%
1972 29.1% 10.2%
1971 29.7% 10.7%
1970 30.2% 11.3%
1969 30.6% 11.9%
1968 31.2% -
1967 31.7% -
1966 32.2% -
1965 32.7% -
1964 33.2% -
1963 33.7% -
1962 34.2% -
1961 34.8% -
1960 35.3% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/china | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 5.55% in Afghanistan and 0.62% in China. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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