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Fertility & birth rates in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has an annual birth rate of 35.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 11.2 for Sri Lanka. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.84 in Afghanistan and 1.97 in Sri Lanka — 59.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 33.5% in Afghanistan and by 63.1% in Sri Lanka — in 1960, it was 7.28 and 5.35, respectively.

  • Afghanistan is ranked 9/196 by birth rate compared to 125/196 for Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in Afghanistan, compared to 25.6 years in Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.6 in Afghanistan — it's 29.7 in Sri Lanka.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 64.1 in Afghanistan vs 15.1 in Sri Lanka.
  • In Afghanistan, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.1% in Sri Lanka.

Fertility rate in Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka by year

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2023 4.84 1.97
2022 4.93 1.98
2021 5.04 2
2020 5.15 2.01
2019 5.24 2.02
2018 5.33 2.03
2017 5.43 2.04
2016 5.54 2.06
2015 5.65 2.09
2014 5.77 2.13
2013 5.88 2.18
2012 5.99 2.17
2011 6.09 2.14
2010 6.2 2.13
2009 6.3 2.18
2008 6.39 2.23
2007 6.51 2.3
2006 6.69 2.29
2005 6.86 2.26
2004 7.02 2.27
2003 7.17 2.3
2002 7.32 2.31
2001 7.45 2.28
2000 7.57 2.21
1999 7.64 2.14
1998 7.69 2.14
1997 7.73 2.22
1996 7.76 2.29
1995 7.77 2.35
1994 7.77 2.4
1993 7.76 2.44
1992 7.7 2.49
1991 7.63 2.51
1990 7.58 2.54
1989 7.56 2.58
1988 7.55 2.57
1987 7.55 2.64
1986 7.55 2.74
1985 7.55 2.9
1984 7.55 3.01
1983 7.57 3.11
1982 7.6 3.32
1981 7.62 3.65
1980 7.64 3.73
1979 7.61 3.82
1978 7.6 3.81
1977 7.59 3.74
1976 7.56 3.78
1975 7.54 3.82
1974 7.53 3.86
1973 7.49 4
1972 7.45 4.16
1971 7.43 4.27
1970 7.4 4.39
1969 7.39 4.5
1968 7.36 4.66
1967 7.34 4.79
1966 7.32 4.83
1965 7.31 4.93
1964 7.3 5.06
1963 7.3 5.12
1962 7.29 5.18
1961 7.28 5.24
1960 7.28 5.35

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | 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 1.97 in Sri Lanka in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Natural population change
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2023 1,228,719 66,111
2022 1,219,475 95,378
2021 1,133,611 121,858
2020 1,134,407 170,968
2019 1,138,485 172,243
2018 1,115,262 183,610
2017 1,101,218 187,993
2016 1,090,016 194,232
2015 1,077,068 201,815
2014 1,053,788 211,541
2013 1,033,778 221,021
2012 1,004,814 229,138
2011 966,743 224,461
2010 943,473 224,325
2009 920,581 200,175
2008 891,246 232,225
2007 889,848 248,287
2006 875,301 248,706
2005 855,112 248,683
2004 850,940 212,527
2003 826,165 252,008
2002 776,048 252,840
2001 764,090 244,377
2000 782,727 227,060
1999 760,727 206,876
1998 719,860 201,059
1997 709,778 208,193
1996 685,005 215,290
1995 653,280 221,957
1994 609,096 228,904
1993 541,257 226,257
1992 440,132 222,230
1991 409,954 218,117
1990 402,433 224,454
1989 381,158 212,401
1988 358,397 219,184
1987 314,361 226,414
1986 310,066 233,782
1985 228,469 247,836
1984 205,262 263,175
1983 263,778 277,768
1982 263,210 300,030
1981 343,468 328,096
1980 365,396 328,155
1979 361,750 329,791
1978 369,101 317,055
1977 372,567 300,038
1976 357,775 291,816
1975 343,850 282,496
1974 330,232 275,521
1973 315,062 278,577
1972 300,633 282,494
1971 288,267 281,200
1970 275,129 286,719
1969 263,823 286,218
1968 251,798 286,642
1967 239,967 284,738
1966 228,786 275,549
1965 217,741 272,422
1964 207,867 269,584
1963 198,035 262,880
1962 188,427 256,719
1961 179,094 251,087
1960 170,257 247,631

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | 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 +0.3% in Sri Lanka.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.04% in Afghanistan and +0.75% in Sri Lanka.

Birth rate in Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka by year

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2023 35.4 11.2
2022 36 12.4
2021 36.3 12.9
2020 36.6 13.8
2019 37.1 14.6
2018 37.6 15.2
2017 38.2 15.4
2016 38.7 15.7
2015 39.4 16
2014 39.6 16.5
2013 40.3 17
2012 40.7 17.1
2011 41 17.1
2010 41.8 17.1
2009 42.2 17.6
2008 42.5 18.2
2007 43.8 18.8
2006 44.1 18.9
2005 45 18.7
2004 46.5 18.8
2003 47.1 19.1
2002 47.5 19.2
2001 49.6 19
2000 51.5 18.4
1999 50.9 17.9
1998 51.5 17.8
1997 52.1 18.5
1996 52.5 19
1995 52.7 19.6
1994 52.4 20
1993 50.8 20
1992 50.3 20.1
1991 52.3 20.2
1990 52.9 20.5
1989 51.7 20.6
1988 51.7 20.3
1987 52.2 20.8
1986 52.2 21.4
1985 51.7 22.4
1984 50.4 23.5
1983 51.2 24.4
1982 52 26
1981 55.2 28.1
1980 53.5 28.6
1979 52 29.3
1978 51.3 29
1977 51.3 28.3
1976 51.3 28.3
1975 51.3 28.2
1974 51.4 28.2
1973 51.3 28.9
1972 51.2 29.7
1971 51.3 30.2
1970 51.2 31.2
1969 51.3 31.8
1968 51.2 32.6
1967 51.1 33.2
1966 51 33.2
1965 50.9 33.8
1964 50.9 34.5
1963 50.8 34.7
1962 50.7 35.1
1961 50.6 35.6
1960 50.5 36.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 35.4 in Afghanistan and 11.2 in Sri Lanka, compared with 50.5 and 36.3, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Afghanistan Sri Lanka
Fertility rate 4.84 1.97
Fertility rate rank 9/196 101/196
Birth rate 35.4 11.2
Birth rate rank 9/196 125/196
Population change due to births and deaths +1,228,719 +66,111
Natural population change rank 13/196 87/196
Natural population change rate +2.96% +0.3%
Population growth +2.88% -0.55%
Population growth rank 20/197 188/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 25.6 years
Average age at childbearing 30.6 years 29.7 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56.8 14.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 195.6 94.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 93.7 20.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 25.1%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 19.8% 53.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 61.8% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.43% 0.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 5.04% 0.53%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 5.55% 0.61%
Life expectancy 66.8 years 78 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Afghanistan
Factual

UN forecast
Sri Lanka
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2100 21% 13.1%
2099 21.2% 13.1%
2098 21.3% 13.2%
2097 21.5% 13.2%
2096 21.6% 13.2%
2095 21.8% 13.3%
2094 21.9% 13.3%
2093 22.1% 13.4%
2092 22.3% 13.4%
2091 22.4% 13.5%
2090 22.6% 13.6%
2089 22.8% 13.7%
2088 23% 13.7%
2087 23.1% 13.8%
2086 23.3% 13.9%
2085 23.5% 14%
2084 23.7% 14%
2083 23.9% 14.1%
2082 24.2% 14.2%
2081 24.4% 14.3%
2080 24.6% 14.3%
2079 24.8% 14.4%
2078 25% 14.5%
2077 25.3% 14.5%
2076 25.5% 14.6%
2075 25.8% 14.6%
2074 26% 14.7%
2073 26.2% 14.7%
2072 26.5% 14.8%
2071 26.7% 14.9%
2070 27% 14.9%
2069 27.3% 15%
2068 27.5% 15%
2067 27.8% 15.1%
2066 28% 15.2%
2065 28.3% 15.3%
2064 28.6% 15.4%
2063 28.8% 15.5%
2062 29.1% 15.6%
2061 29.4% 15.7%
2060 29.6% 15.8%
2059 29.9% 16%
2058 30.2% 16.1%
2057 30.4% 16.3%
2056 30.7% 16.4%
2055 31.1% 16.6%
2054 31.4% 16.8%
2053 31.7% 16.9%
2052 32% 17.1%
2051 32.4% 17.2%
2050 32.7% 17.4%
2049 33.1% 17.5%
2048 33.4% 17.7%
2047 33.8% 17.8%
2046 34.2% 17.9%
2045 34.6% 18%
2044 35% 18.2%
2043 35.4% 18.3%
2042 35.8% 18.4%
2041 36.3% 18.5%
2040 36.7% 18.6%
2039 37.2% 18.7%
2038 37.6% 18.9%
2037 38% 19%
2036 38.4% 19.1%
2035 38.8% 19.3%
2034 39.2% 19.5%
2033 39.6% 19.7%
2032 40.1% 19.9%
2031 40.5% 20.1%
2030 40.9% 20.3%
2029 41.3% 20.6%
2028 41.7% 20.9%
2027 42% 21.2%
2026 42.4% 21.5%
2025 42.7% 21.9%
2024 42.9% 22%
2023 43.2% 22.4%
2022 43.6% 22.7%
2021 43.9% 23%
2020 44.2% 23.3%
2019 44.6% 23.7%
2018 45% 24%
2017 45.4% 24.2%
2016 45.8% 24.5%
2015 46.3% 24.7%
2014 46.7% 24.9%
2013 47.2% 25%
2012 47.6% 25.2%
2011 48% 25.3%
2010 48.5% 25.4%
2009 48.9% 25.5%
2008 49.3% 25.6%
2007 49.6% 25.7%
2006 49.9% 25.7%
2005 50% 25.8%
2004 50.2% 26%
2003 50.2% 26.1%
2002 50.2% 26.3%
2001 50.2% 26.6%
2000 50% 27%
1999 49.8% 27.4%
1998 49.6% 27.8%
1997 49.3% 28.2%
1996 49% 28.6%
1995 48.7% 29.2%
1994 48.5% 29.9%
1993 48.2% 30.6%
1992 48% 31.4%
1991 47.8% 32.1%
1990 47.7% 32.5%
1989 47.5% 33%
1988 47.4% 33.5%
1987 47.3% 34%
1986 47.2% 34.6%
1985 47% 35.2%
1984 46.8% 35.5%
1983 46.6% 35.8%
1982 46.5% 36%
1981 46.3% 36.2%
1980 46.1% 36.4%
1979 45.8% 36.7%
1978 45.6% 36.9%
1977 45.4% 37.2%
1976 45.2% 37.6%
1975 45% 38%
1974 44.8% 38.4%
1973 44.6% 38.8%
1972 44.4% 39.2%
1971 44.2% 39.5%
1970 43.9% 39.7%
1969 43.7% 39.9%
1968 43.4% 40.1%
1967 43.2% 40.3%
1966 42.9% 40.4%
1965 42.6% 40.5%
1964 42.4% 40.6%
1963 42.2% 40.7%
1962 42.1% 40.8%
1961 42% 40.9%
1960 41.9% 41%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 42.9% of the population in Afghanistan and 22% in Sri Lanka in 2024, compared to 47.7% and 32.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2023 521 18
2022 551 22
2021 660 34
2020 634 23
2019 601 20
2018 629 21
2017 659 21
2016 702 22
2015 741 22
2014 755 23
2013 778 23
2012 810 24
2011 838 25
2010 893 26
2009 925 28
2008 955 30
2007 1,032 31
2006 1,069 32
2005 1,108 32
2004 1,166 37
2003 1,201 35
2002 1,263 36
2001 1,311 37
2000 1,372 39
1999 1,346 41
1998 1,464 43
1997 1,376 45
1996 1,389 47
1995 1,414 48
1994 1,396 49
1993 1,347 51
1992 1,443 54
1991 1,534 57
1990 1,550 59
1989 1,520 61
1988 1,572 62
1987 1,821 64
1986 1,857 66
1985 2,232 68

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | 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 18 deaths in Sri Lanka.

Under-five mortality rates

Afghanistan
Sri Lanka

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Afghanistan Sri Lanka
2023 5.55% 0.61%
2022 5.74% 0.64%
2021 5.93% 0.66%
2020 6.13% 0.69%
2019 6.33% 0.72%
2018 6.54% 0.76%
2017 6.76% 0.79%
2016 7% 0.83%
2015 7.24% 0.87%
2014 7.51% 0.92%
2013 7.8% 0.98%
2012 8.12% 1.03%
2011 8.46% 1.08%
2010 8.83% 1.12%
2009 9.22% 2.08%
2008 9.63% 1.2%
2007 10.1% 1.26%
2006 10.5% 1.33%
2005 11% 1.4%
2004 11.4% 2.88%
2003 11.9% 1.52%
2002 12.3% 1.55%
2001 12.7% 1.58%
2000 13.2% 1.63%
1999 13.6% 1.69%
1998 14% 1.76%
1997 14.4% 1.86%
1996 14.8% 1.95%
1995 15.3% 2.05%
1994 15.8% 2.14%
1993 16.3% 2.22%
1992 16.9% 2.29%
1991 17.4% 2.32%
1990 18.1% 2.33%
1989 18.7% 2.74%
1988 21.8% 2.41%
1987 24.7% 2.54%
1986 25.3% 2.74%
1985 30.1% 3.02%
1984 30.9% 3.35%
1983 27.4% 3.67%
1982 28% 3.98%
1981 23.9% 4.29%
1980 24.6% 4.63%
1979 25.2% 4.99%
1978 25.8% 5.38%
1977 26.4% 5.77%
1976 27% 6.12%
1975 27.5% 6.41%
1974 28.1% 6.62%
1973 28.6% 6.77%
1972 29.1% 6.86%
1971 29.7% 6.94%
1970 30.2% 7.02%
1969 30.6% 7.14%
1968 31.2% 7.32%
1967 31.7% 7.55%
1966 32.2% 7.81%
1965 32.7% 8.07%
1964 33.2% 8.3%
1963 33.7% 8.48%
1962 34.2% 8.66%
1961 34.8% 8.95%
1960 35.3% 9.41%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/afghanistan/sri-lanka | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 5.55% in Afghanistan and 0.61% in Sri Lanka. 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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