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Fertility & birth rates in Australia and Malawi

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has an annual birth rate of 10.8 births per 1,000 people, compared to 31.4 for Malawi. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.5 in Australia and 3.65 in Malawi — 143.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 56.6% in Australia and by 48.2% in Malawi — in 1960, it was 3.45 and 7.04, respectively.

  • Australia is ranked 136/196 by birth rate compared to 25/196 for Malawi.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 28.7 years in Australia, compared to 19.1 years in Malawi.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.6 in Australia — it's 27.5 in Malawi.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 6.72 in Australia vs 113.6 in Malawi.
  • In Australia, 23.1% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.2% in Malawi.

Fertility rate in Australia vs Malawi by year

Australia
Malawi
1x
Year Fertility rate
Australia Malawi
2023 1.5 3.65
2022 1.63 3.72
2021 1.7 3.79
2020 1.58 3.88
2019 1.66 3.95
2018 1.74 4.02
2017 1.74 4.11
2016 1.75 4.22
2015 1.81 4.38
2014 1.83 4.57
2013 1.86 4.76
2012 1.92 4.9
2011 1.93 5.08
2010 1.93 5.26
2009 1.97 5.45
2008 1.98 5.61
2007 1.96 5.72
2006 1.91 5.8
2005 1.81 5.85
2004 1.77 5.86
2003 1.75 5.88
2002 1.76 5.9
2001 1.74 5.94
2000 1.76 6
1999 1.76 6.12
1998 1.76 6.21
1997 1.78 6.23
1996 1.8 6.29
1995 1.82 6.39
1994 1.84 6.49
1993 1.86 6.57
1992 1.89 6.63
1991 1.85 6.68
1990 1.9 6.74
1989 1.84 6.8
1988 1.83 6.88
1987 1.85 6.97
1986 1.87 7.07
1985 1.92 7.17
1984 1.84 7.27
1983 1.92 7.36
1982 1.93 7.45
1981 1.94 7.49
1980 1.89 7.52
1979 1.91 7.47
1978 1.95 7.43
1977 2.01 7.41
1976 2.06 7.39
1975 2.15 7.36
1974 2.4 7.34
1973 2.49 7.34
1972 2.74 7.33
1971 2.96 7.31
1970 2.86 7.3
1969 2.89 7.27
1968 2.89 7.26
1967 2.85 7.21
1966 2.88 7.17
1965 2.98 7.13
1964 3.15 7.11
1963 3.33 7.13
1962 3.44 7.1
1961 3.54 7.07
1960 3.45 7.04

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Australia was 1.5 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.65 in Malawi in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Australia vs Malawi population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Australia
Malawi
1x
Year Natural population change
Australia Malawi
2023 103,974 549,096
2022 111,881 533,450
2021 138,701 517,400
2020 133,376 514,659
2019 136,808 506,104
2018 157,269 494,348
2017 150,015 484,655
2016 152,403 474,779
2015 150,041 472,484
2014 154,940 472,418
2013 159,584 470,293
2012 161,408 460,684
2011 156,380 454,149
2010 158,628 444,468
2009 160,518 434,811
2008 155,119 421,781
2007 154,124 410,290
2006 132,931 397,123
2005 129,132 381,130
2004 115,610 361,133
2003 118,325 341,133
2002 116,971 322,863
2001 117,575 310,833
2000 119,882 300,439
1999 118,517 295,629
1998 120,949 285,407
1997 121,592 277,433
1996 125,751 270,048
1995 131,436 266,745
1994 131,761 275,439
1993 137,551 276,538
1992 139,829 269,066
1991 138,273 260,193
1990 143,347 250,159
1989 127,789 237,967
1988 127,298 226,911
1987 128,484 220,566
1986 123,342 218,519
1985 143,674 216,179
1984 123,077 212,146
1983 130,844 209,422
1982 126,030 205,386
1981 125,356 199,436
1980 117,536 192,746
1979 116,112 182,123
1978 116,299 172,503
1977 117,793 161,930
1976 115,070 153,422
1975 123,648 145,254
1974 128,996 137,819
1973 136,476 131,529
1972 155,488 125,728
1971 165,593 121,015
1970 145,081 116,822
1969 143,477 113,120
1968 132,099 110,329
1967 126,249 106,668
1966 126,996 103,512
1965 122,990 100,040
1964 128,420 97,658
1963 140,161 95,933
1962 143,943 92,463
1961 150,955 89,091
1960 141,816 85,718

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | 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 +0.39% in Australia and +2.6% in Malawi.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.56% in Australia and +2.67% in Malawi.

Birth rate in Australia vs Malawi by year

Australia
Malawi

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Australia Malawi
2023 10.8 31.4
2022 11.6 31.7
2021 12.1 32.1
2020 11.5 32.5
2019 12.1 32.9
2018 12.6 33.2
2017 12.6 33.7
2016 12.9 34.2
2015 12.9 35.3
2014 13.2 36.5
2013 13.3 37.7
2012 13.7 38.6
2011 13.6 39.7
2010 13.7 40.7
2009 13.9 41.7
2008 14 42.6
2007 14.1 43.3
2006 12.9 43.8
2005 12.8 44
2004 12.3 44
2003 12.6 43.9
2002 12.8 44
2001 12.7 44.2
2000 13 44.6
1999 13.1 45.4
1998 13.3 45.9
1997 13.6 46
1996 13.9 46.2
1995 14.2 46.8
1994 14.5 48.4
1993 14.7 48.4
1992 15.1 48.1
1991 14.9 48.4
1990 15.4 48.4
1989 14.9 48.5
1988 14.9 48.8
1987 15.4 48.6
1986 15 49.8
1985 15.7 50.4
1984 15 50.8
1983 15.8 51.4
1982 15.8 52
1981 15.7 52.4
1980 15.3 52.7
1979 15.3 52.4
1978 15.6 52.4
1977 15.9 52.4
1976 16.2 52.6
1975 16.7 52.7
1974 17.8 52.9
1973 18.5 53.2
1972 20.1 53.5
1971 21.4 53.7
1970 20.6 54
1969 20.4 54.1
1968 20.1 54.4
1967 19.4 54.3
1966 19.8 54.3
1965 19.6 54.1
1964 20.5 54.2
1963 21.5 54.4
1962 22.1 54.2
1961 22.9 54
1960 22.4 53.7

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.8 in Australia and 31.4 in Malawi, compared with 22.4 and 53.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Australia Malawi
Fertility rate 1.5 3.65
Fertility rate rank 143/196 39/196
Birth rate 10.8 31.4
Birth rate rank 136/196 25/196
Population change due to births and deaths +103,974 +549,096
Natural population change rank 77/196 35/196
Natural population change rate +0.39% +2.6%
Population growth +2.01% +2.61%
Population growth rank 51/197 26/197
Age at first childbirth 28.7 years 19.1 years
Average age at childbearing 31.6 years 27.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 6.04 112.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 59.2 171.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 22.6 50.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.1% 26.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 64.7% 64.7%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96% 96.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.002% 0.23%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.23% 1.88%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.31% 2.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.37% 3.83%
Life expectancy 84.3 years 67.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Australia
Factual

UN forecast
Malawi
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Australia Malawi
2100 14.8% 19.9%
2099 14.8% 20%
2098 14.8% 20.2%
2097 14.9% 20.3%
2096 14.9% 20.4%
2095 14.9% 20.6%
2094 14.9% 20.7%
2093 15% 20.9%
2092 15% 21%
2091 15% 21.2%
2090 15% 21.3%
2089 15% 21.5%
2088 15% 21.6%
2087 15% 21.8%
2086 15.1% 22%
2085 15.1% 22.1%
2084 15.1% 22.3%
2083 15.1% 22.5%
2082 15% 22.7%
2081 15% 22.9%
2080 15% 23.1%
2079 15% 23.2%
2078 15% 23.4%
2077 15% 23.6%
2076 15% 23.8%
2075 15.1% 24.1%
2074 15.1% 24.3%
2073 15.1% 24.5%
2072 15.1% 24.7%
2071 15.1% 24.9%
2070 15.1% 25.2%
2069 15.2% 25.4%
2068 15.2% 25.6%
2067 15.2% 25.9%
2066 15.3% 26.1%
2065 15.3% 26.3%
2064 15.4% 26.6%
2063 15.4% 26.8%
2062 15.4% 27.1%
2061 15.5% 27.3%
2060 15.5% 27.6%
2059 15.6% 27.9%
2058 15.6% 28.1%
2057 15.6% 28.4%
2056 15.7% 28.7%
2055 15.7% 29%
2054 15.7% 29.3%
2053 15.7% 29.6%
2052 15.7% 29.9%
2051 15.7% 30.3%
2050 15.7% 30.6%
2049 15.7% 31%
2048 15.7% 31.4%
2047 15.7% 31.7%
2046 15.7% 32.1%
2045 15.7% 32.5%
2044 15.7% 32.9%
2043 15.7% 33.3%
2042 15.8% 33.7%
2041 15.8% 34%
2040 15.9% 34.4%
2039 16% 34.8%
2038 16.1% 35.1%
2037 16.2% 35.5%
2036 16.3% 35.9%
2035 16.3% 36.2%
2034 16.4% 36.5%
2033 16.5% 36.9%
2032 16.7% 37.2%
2031 16.8% 37.5%
2030 17% 37.9%
2029 17.1% 38.3%
2028 17.3% 38.8%
2027 17.4% 39.3%
2026 17.6% 39.9%
2025 17.8% 40.4%
2024 17.8% 40.7%
2023 18% 41.3%
2022 18.2% 41.9%
2021 18.4% 42.5%
2020 18.6% 43.1%
2019 18.7% 43.7%
2018 18.8% 44.2%
2017 18.8% 44.6%
2016 18.9% 45.1%
2015 18.9% 45.4%
2014 18.9% 45.7%
2013 18.9% 46%
2012 18.9% 46.1%
2011 19% 46.2%
2010 19.1% 46.2%
2009 19.2% 46.2%
2008 19.3% 46.1%
2007 19.4% 46.1%
2006 19.6% 46.1%
2005 19.8% 46%
2004 20% 46%
2003 20.2% 46.1%
2002 20.4% 46.1%
2001 20.6% 46.1%
2000 20.8% 46.2%
1999 20.9% 46.2%
1998 21.1% 46.2%
1997 21.2% 46.2%
1996 21.4% 46.2%
1995 21.5% 46.1%
1994 21.7% 46.1%
1993 21.7% 46%
1992 21.8% 45.8%
1991 21.9% 45.6%
1990 22% 45.4%
1989 22.2% 45.2%
1988 22.4% 45%
1987 22.7% 45.1%
1986 23.1% 45.4%
1985 23.6% 45.4%
1984 24% 45.5%
1983 24.4% 45.5%
1982 24.7% 45.4%
1981 25% 45.4%
1980 25.3% 45.4%
1979 25.6% 45.3%
1978 26.1% 45.3%
1977 26.5% 45.3%
1976 27% 45.2%
1975 27.5% 45.2%
1974 27.9% 45.1%
1973 28.2% 44.9%
1972 28.5% 44.8%
1971 28.7% 44.6%
1970 28.8% 44.4%
1969 28.9% 44.2%
1968 29.1% 43.9%
1967 29.3% 43.7%
1966 29.5% 43.4%
1965 29.6% 43.2%
1964 29.8% 43%
1963 29.9% 42.9%
1962 30.1% 42.8%
1961 30.2% 42.9%
1960 30.2% 43.1%

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/australia/malawi | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 17.8% of the population in Australia and 40.7% in Malawi in 2024, compared to 22% and 45.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Australia and Malawi compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Australia vs Malawi

Australia
Malawi
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Australia Malawi
2023 2 225
2022 4 239
2021 4 286
2020 5 256
2019 5 260
2018 5 267
2017 6 284
2016 6 312
2015 6 354
2014 6 367
2013 6 410
2012 6 447
2011 6 486
2010 5 517
2009 5 512
2008 5 430
2007 5 333
2006 5 286
2005 5 283
2004 5 304
2003 5 346
2002 6 404
2001 6 447
2000 7 506
1999 7 576
1998 7 658
1997 8 672
1996 8 713
1995 9 782
1994 9 912
1993 9 1,000
1992 9 1,042
1991 9 1,080
1990 9 1,112
1989 9 1,136
1988 9 1,154
1987 9 1,123
1986 8 1,118
1985 9 1,115

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 2 deaths per 100,000 live births in Australia, compared to 225 deaths in Malawi.

Under-five mortality rates

Australia
Malawi

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Australia Malawi
2023 0.37% 3.83%
2022 0.37% 3.99%
2021 0.37% 4.15%
2020 0.38% 4.31%
2019 0.38% 4.55%
2018 0.38% 4.75%
2017 0.38% 5.06%
2016 0.38% 5.35%
2015 0.39% 5.67%
2014 0.4% 6.02%
2013 0.41% 6.4%
2012 0.43% 6.98%
2011 0.45% 7.67%
2010 0.48% 8.3%
2009 0.5% 8.81%
2008 0.52% 9.31%
2007 0.54% 9.83%
2006 0.56% 10.3%
2005 0.57% 11%
2004 0.58% 11.9%
2003 0.59% 13.2%
2002 0.6% 14.6%
2001 0.61% 16%
2000 0.62% 17.3%
1999 0.63% 18.4%
1998 0.64% 19.2%
1997 0.66% 19.7%
1996 0.68% 20.2%
1995 0.7% 20.7%
1994 0.73% 21.3%
1993 0.77% 22%
1992 0.82% 22.8%
1991 0.87% 23.6%
1990 0.92% 24.3%
1989 0.97% 24.9%
1988 1.02% 25.3%
1987 1.06% 25.5%
1986 1.1% 25.4%
1985 1.13% 25.1%
1984 1.16% 24.8%
1983 1.19% 24.5%
1982 1.22% 24.5%
1981 1.26% 24.9%
1980 1.3% 25.6%
1979 1.36% 26.5%
1978 1.44% 27.6%
1977 1.52% 28.7%
1976 1.62% 29.7%
1975 1.73% 30.6%
1974 1.84% 31.5%
1973 1.94% 32.4%
1972 2.03% 33.2%
1971 2.1% 33.9%
1970 2.15% 34.4%
1969 2.18% 34.7%
1968 2.19% 35%
1967 2.2% 35.1%
1966 2.21% 35.3%
1965 2.24% 35.4%
1964 2.27% 35.5%
1963 2.32% 35.7%
1962 2.37% 35.8%
1961 2.43% 35.9%
1960 2.49% -

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/malawi | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.37% in Australia and 3.83% in Malawi. 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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