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Fertility & birth rates in Australia and Sierra Leone

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has an annual birth rate of 10.8 births per 1,000 people, compared to 30.6 for Sierra Leone. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.5 in Australia and 3.79 in Sierra Leone — 152.7% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 56.6% in Australia and by 38.6% in Sierra Leone — in 1960, it was 3.45 and 6.18, respectively.

  • Australia is ranked 136/196 by birth rate compared to 29/196 for Sierra Leone.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 28.7 years in Australia, compared to 19.6 years in Sierra Leone.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.6 in Australia — it's 28.5 in Sierra Leone.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 6.72 in Australia vs 93.6 in Sierra Leone.
  • In Australia, 23.1% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.4% in Sierra Leone.

Fertility rate in Australia vs Sierra Leone by year

Australia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Fertility rate
Australia Sierra Leone
2023 1.5 3.79
2022 1.63 3.88
2021 1.7 3.98
2020 1.58 4.08
2019 1.66 4.19
2018 1.74 4.29
2017 1.74 4.39
2016 1.75 4.47
2015 1.81 4.55
2014 1.83 4.7
2013 1.86 4.87
2012 1.92 5.06
2011 1.93 5.21
2010 1.93 5.33
2009 1.97 5.45
2008 1.98 5.56
2007 1.96 5.64
2006 1.91 5.74
2005 1.81 5.81
2004 1.77 5.92
2003 1.75 6.09
2002 1.76 6.23
2001 1.74 6.31
2000 1.76 6.36
1999 1.76 6.42
1998 1.76 6.5
1997 1.78 6.53
1996 1.8 6.55
1995 1.82 6.56
1994 1.84 6.56
1993 1.86 6.57
1992 1.89 6.56
1991 1.85 6.55
1990 1.9 6.57
1989 1.84 6.57
1988 1.83 6.59
1987 1.85 6.61
1986 1.87 6.6
1985 1.92 6.59
1984 1.84 6.59
1983 1.92 6.57
1982 1.93 6.56
1981 1.94 6.55
1980 1.89 6.56
1979 1.91 6.58
1978 1.95 6.59
1977 2.01 6.57
1976 2.06 6.55
1975 2.15 6.55
1974 2.4 6.53
1973 2.49 6.47
1972 2.74 6.45
1971 2.96 6.43
1970 2.86 6.41
1969 2.89 6.39
1968 2.89 6.39
1967 2.85 6.38
1966 2.88 6.35
1965 2.98 6.31
1964 3.15 6.29
1963 3.33 6.26
1962 3.44 6.22
1961 3.54 6.21
1960 3.45 6.18

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | 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 3.79 in Sierra Leone in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Australia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Natural population change
Australia Sierra Leone
2023 103,974 188,788
2022 111,881 186,625
2021 138,701 183,326
2020 133,376 181,015
2019 136,808 181,068
2018 157,269 178,772
2017 150,015 173,259
2016 152,403 168,784
2015 150,041 162,275
2014 154,940 160,137
2013 159,584 161,265
2012 161,408 160,915
2011 156,380 158,858
2010 158,628 155,338
2009 160,518 152,669
2008 155,119 149,855
2007 154,124 145,740
2006 132,931 144,127
2005 129,132 137,234
2004 115,610 132,661
2003 118,325 130,312
2002 116,971 126,429
2001 117,575 116,647
2000 119,882 110,754
1999 118,517 102,295
1998 120,949 103,906
1997 121,592 105,433
1996 125,751 104,140
1995 131,436 100,885
1994 131,761 101,486
1993 137,551 103,317
1992 139,829 103,251
1991 138,273 105,477
1990 143,347 100,778
1989 127,789 98,298
1988 127,298 96,344
1987 128,484 94,235
1986 123,342 90,902
1985 143,674 88,869
1984 123,077 87,072
1983 130,844 84,628
1982 126,030 82,457
1981 125,356 80,111
1980 117,536 77,932
1979 116,112 75,992
1978 116,299 74,130
1977 117,793 71,663
1976 115,070 69,506
1975 123,648 67,560
1974 128,996 65,357
1973 136,476 62,443
1972 155,488 60,279
1971 165,593 58,484
1970 145,081 56,513
1969 143,477 54,768
1968 132,099 53,126
1967 126,249 51,734
1966 126,996 49,486
1965 122,990 47,223
1964 128,420 45,487
1963 140,161 43,569
1962 143,943 41,603
1961 150,955 40,022
1960 141,816 38,192

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | 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 +2.23% in Sierra Leone.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.56% in Australia and +2.31% in Sierra Leone.

Birth rate in Australia vs Sierra Leone by year

Australia
Sierra Leone

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Australia Sierra Leone
2023 10.8 30.6
2022 11.6 31.1
2021 12.1 31.6
2020 11.5 32.2
2019 12.1 32.8
2018 12.6 33.3
2017 12.6 33.8
2016 12.9 34.2
2015 12.9 34.7
2014 13.2 35.6
2013 13.3 36.6
2012 13.7 37.8
2011 13.6 38.5
2010 13.7 39.1
2009 13.9 39.9
2008 14 40.6
2007 14.1 41.1
2006 12.9 41.8
2005 12.8 42
2004 12.3 42.5
2003 12.6 43.5
2002 12.8 44.3
2001 12.7 44
2000 13 45
1999 13.1 46.1
1998 13.3 46.3
1997 13.6 46.3
1996 13.9 46.5
1995 14.2 46.8
1994 14.5 46.8
1993 14.7 46.9
1992 15.1 47
1991 14.9 47.5
1990 15.4 45.5
1989 14.9 46.3
1988 14.9 46.4
1987 15.4 46.6
1986 15 46.6
1985 15.7 46.7
1984 15 46.8
1983 15.8 46.7
1982 15.8 46.8
1981 15.7 46.8
1980 15.3 46.8
1979 15.3 47
1978 15.6 47.2
1977 15.9 47.1
1976 16.2 47.2
1975 16.7 47.3
1974 17.8 47.4
1973 18.5 47.2
1972 20.1 47.2
1971 21.4 47.3
1970 20.6 47.4
1969 20.4 47.5
1968 20.1 47.7
1967 19.4 47.9
1966 19.8 48
1965 19.6 48
1964 20.5 48.2
1963 21.5 48.2
1962 22.1 48.1
1961 22.9 48.1
1960 22.4 48

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.8 in Australia and 30.6 in Sierra Leone, compared with 22.4 and 48, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Australia Sierra Leone
Fertility rate 1.5 3.79
Fertility rate rank 143/196 35/196
Birth rate 10.8 30.6
Birth rate rank 136/196 29/196
Population change due to births and deaths +103,974 +188,788
Natural population change rank 77/196 62/196
Natural population change rate +0.39% +2.23%
Population growth +2.01% +2.15%
Population growth rank 51/197 47/197
Age at first childbirth 28.7 years 19.6 years
Average age at childbearing 31.6 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 6.04 87.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 59.2 169.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 22.6 53.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.1% 25.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 64.7% 20.9%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96% 86.9%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.002% 0.35%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.23% 2.93%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.31% 5.62%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.37% 9.43%
Life expectancy 84.3 years 62.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Australia
Factual

UN forecast
Sierra Leone
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Australia Sierra Leone
2100 14.8% 19%
2099 14.8% 19%
2098 14.8% 19.1%
2097 14.9% 19.2%
2096 14.9% 19.3%
2095 14.9% 19.5%
2094 14.9% 19.6%
2093 15% 19.7%
2092 15% 19.8%
2091 15% 19.9%
2090 15% 20%
2089 15% 20.1%
2088 15% 20.3%
2087 15% 20.4%
2086 15.1% 20.5%
2085 15.1% 20.7%
2084 15.1% 20.8%
2083 15.1% 20.9%
2082 15% 21.1%
2081 15% 21.2%
2080 15% 21.4%
2079 15% 21.6%
2078 15% 21.7%
2077 15% 21.9%
2076 15% 22.1%
2075 15.1% 22.2%
2074 15.1% 22.4%
2073 15.1% 22.6%
2072 15.1% 22.8%
2071 15.1% 23%
2070 15.1% 23.2%
2069 15.2% 23.4%
2068 15.2% 23.6%
2067 15.2% 23.8%
2066 15.3% 24%
2065 15.3% 24.3%
2064 15.4% 24.5%
2063 15.4% 24.7%
2062 15.4% 25%
2061 15.5% 25.2%
2060 15.5% 25.5%
2059 15.6% 25.7%
2058 15.6% 26%
2057 15.6% 26.3%
2056 15.7% 26.6%
2055 15.7% 26.9%
2054 15.7% 27.1%
2053 15.7% 27.4%
2052 15.7% 27.7%
2051 15.7% 28.1%
2050 15.7% 28.4%
2049 15.7% 28.7%
2048 15.7% 29%
2047 15.7% 29.3%
2046 15.7% 29.7%
2045 15.7% 30%
2044 15.7% 30.3%
2043 15.7% 30.7%
2042 15.8% 31.1%
2041 15.8% 31.4%
2040 15.9% 31.8%
2039 16% 32.2%
2038 16.1% 32.6%
2037 16.2% 33%
2036 16.3% 33.4%
2035 16.3% 33.8%
2034 16.4% 34.2%
2033 16.5% 34.6%
2032 16.7% 35%
2031 16.8% 35.4%
2030 17% 35.7%
2029 17.1% 36.1%
2028 17.3% 36.5%
2027 17.4% 37%
2026 17.6% 37.4%
2025 17.8% 37.9%
2024 17.8% 38.1%
2023 18% 38.5%
2022 18.2% 39%
2021 18.4% 39.4%
2020 18.6% 39.8%
2019 18.7% 40.2%
2018 18.8% 40.6%
2017 18.8% 41%
2016 18.9% 41.4%
2015 18.9% 41.8%
2014 18.9% 42.2%
2013 18.9% 42.5%
2012 18.9% 42.8%
2011 19% 43%
2010 19.1% 43.2%
2009 19.2% 43.4%
2008 19.3% 43.5%
2007 19.4% 43.6%
2006 19.6% 43.7%
2005 19.8% 43.8%
2004 20% 43.9%
2003 20.2% 43.9%
2002 20.4% 43.9%
2001 20.6% 43.9%
2000 20.8% 43.8%
1999 20.9% 43.7%
1998 21.1% 43.6%
1997 21.2% 43.5%
1996 21.4% 43.5%
1995 21.5% 43.4%
1994 21.7% 43.3%
1993 21.7% 43.2%
1992 21.8% 43.1%
1991 21.9% 43%
1990 22% 42.9%
1989 22.2% 42.9%
1988 22.4% 42.8%
1987 22.7% 42.7%
1986 23.1% 42.6%
1985 23.6% 42.5%
1984 24% 42.3%
1983 24.4% 42.2%
1982 24.7% 42.1%
1981 25% 42%
1980 25.3% 41.9%
1979 25.6% 41.8%
1978 26.1% 41.7%
1977 26.5% 41.6%
1976 27% 41.4%
1975 27.5% 41.3%
1974 27.9% 41.1%
1973 28.2% 40.9%
1972 28.5% 40.7%
1971 28.7% 40.6%
1970 28.8% 40.3%
1969 28.9% 40.1%
1968 29.1% 39.9%
1967 29.3% 39.6%
1966 29.5% 39.4%
1965 29.6% 39.1%
1964 29.8% 38.8%
1963 29.9% 38.5%
1962 30.1% 38.3%
1961 30.2% 38.3%
1960 30.2% 38.2%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 17.8% of the population in Australia and 38.1% in Sierra Leone in 2024, compared to 22% and 42.9% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Australia and Sierra Leone compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Australia vs Sierra Leone

Australia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Australia Sierra Leone
2023 2 354
2022 4 370
2021 4 403
2020 5 422
2019 5 464
2018 5 491
2017 6 578
2016 6 633
2015 6 730
2014 6 821
2013 6 842
2012 6 915
2011 6 967
2010 5 1,018
2009 5 1,054
2008 5 1,093
2007 5 1,132
2006 5 1,168
2005 5 1,294
2004 5 1,366
2003 5 1,433
2002 6 1,492
2001 6 1,518
2000 7 1,603
1999 7 1,731
1998 7 1,753
1997 8 1,721
1996 8 1,726
1995 9 1,777
1994 9 1,755
1993 9 1,696
1992 9 1,681
1991 9 1,699
1990 9 1,572
1989 9 1,575
1988 9 1,549
1987 9 1,533
1986 8 1,530
1985 9 1,506

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | 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 354 deaths in Sierra Leone.

Under-five mortality rates

Australia
Sierra Leone

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Australia Sierra Leone
2023 0.37% 9.43%
2022 0.37% 9.77%
2021 0.37% 10.1%
2020 0.38% 10.5%
2019 0.38% 10.9%
2018 0.38% 11.3%
2017 0.38% 11.8%
2016 0.38% 12.3%
2015 0.39% 13.8%
2014 0.4% 13.7%
2013 0.41% 13.9%
2012 0.43% 14.5%
2011 0.45% 15.2%
2010 0.48% 15.9%
2009 0.5% 16.6%
2008 0.52% 17.3%
2007 0.54% 18.1%
2006 0.56% 18.8%
2005 0.57% 19.4%
2004 0.58% 20.1%
2003 0.59% 20.7%
2002 0.6% 21.3%
2001 0.61% 21.8%
2000 0.62% 22.4%
1999 0.63% 22.9%
1998 0.64% 23.4%
1997 0.66% 23.9%
1996 0.68% 24.3%
1995 0.7% 24.7%
1994 0.73% 25%
1993 0.77% 25.3%
1992 0.82% 25.5%
1991 0.87% 25.7%
1990 0.92% 25.9%
1989 0.97% 26.2%
1988 1.02% 26.4%
1987 1.06% 26.6%
1986 1.1% 26.9%
1985 1.13% 27.2%
1984 1.16% 27.5%
1983 1.19% 27.8%
1982 1.22% 28.1%
1981 1.26% 28.5%
1980 1.3% 28.9%
1979 1.36% 29.2%
1978 1.44% 29.6%
1977 1.52% 30%
1976 1.62% 30.5%
1975 1.73% 30.9%
1974 1.84% 31.4%
1973 1.94% 31.9%
1972 2.03% 32.3%
1971 2.1% 32.9%
1970 2.15% 33.4%
1969 2.18% 33.9%
1968 2.19% 34.5%
1967 2.2% 35%
1966 2.21% 35.6%
1965 2.24% 36.2%
1964 2.27% 36.8%
1963 2.32% 37.4%
1962 2.37% 38%
1961 2.43% 38.5%
1960 2.49% 39.1%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.37% in Australia and 9.43% in Sierra Leone. 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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