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Fertility & birth rates in Belgium and Ethiopia

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 31.9 for Ethiopia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.47 in Belgium and 3.99 in Ethiopia — 171.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 42.1% in Belgium and by 38.8% in Ethiopia — in 1960, it was 2.54 and 6.51, respectively.

  • Belgium is ranked 155/196 by birth rate compared to 23/196 for Ethiopia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 29.5 years in Belgium, compared to 19.3 years in Ethiopia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.3 in Belgium — it's 29 in Ethiopia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 3.67 in Belgium vs 69.9 in Ethiopia.
  • In Belgium, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.1% in Ethiopia.

Fertility rate in Belgium vs Ethiopia by year

Belgium
Ethiopia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belgium Ethiopia
2023 1.47 3.99
2022 1.53 4.08
2021 1.6 4.18
2020 1.55 4.27
2019 1.6 4.35
2018 1.62 4.37
2017 1.65 4.4
2016 1.68 4.47
2015 1.7 4.53
2014 1.74 4.61
2013 1.76 4.71
2012 1.8 4.89
2011 1.81 5.08
2010 1.86 5.28
2009 1.84 5.49
2008 1.85 5.7
2007 1.82 5.89
2006 1.8 6.05
2005 1.76 6.19
2004 1.72 6.3
2003 1.67 6.4
2002 1.65 6.5
2001 1.67 6.58
2000 1.67 6.65
1999 1.62 6.72
1998 1.6 6.79
1997 1.6 6.87
1996 1.59 6.93
1995 1.56 7
1994 1.56 7.05
1993 1.61 7.09
1992 1.65 7.13
1991 1.66 7.16
1990 1.62 7.2
1989 1.58 7.23
1988 1.57 7.26
1987 1.54 7.29
1986 1.54 7.32
1985 1.51 7.34
1984 1.54 7.36
1983 1.57 7.35
1982 1.61 7.34
1981 1.66 7.31
1980 1.68 7.29
1979 1.69 7.25
1978 1.69 7.23
1977 1.71 7.19
1976 1.73 7.13
1975 1.74 7.08
1974 1.83 7.02
1973 1.95 6.96
1972 2.09 6.9
1971 2.21 6.84
1970 2.25 6.78
1969 2.27 6.72
1968 2.31 6.7
1967 2.41 6.68
1966 2.52 6.66
1965 2.61 6.63
1964 2.71 6.61
1963 2.68 6.59
1962 2.59 6.56
1961 2.63 6.53
1960 2.54 6.51

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Belgium was 1.47 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.99 in Ethiopia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Belgium vs Ethiopia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Belgium
Ethiopia
1x
Year Natural population change
Belgium Ethiopia
2023 0 3,338,649
2022 -2,336 3,300,114
2021 5,793 3,204,673
2020 -12,692 3,199,718
2019 8,042 3,132,780
2018 7,999 3,015,231
2017 10,238 2,899,143
2016 14,731 2,809,889
2015 11,274 2,713,529
2014 21,297 2,623,647
2013 16,739 2,546,020
2012 18,882 2,533,398
2011 25,388 2,527,811
2010 23,970 2,498,048
2009 23,752 2,467,118
2008 22,491 2,465,283
2007 23,376 2,436,753
2006 21,096 2,393,585
2005 15,718 2,353,375
2004 16,673 2,296,999
2003 7,263 2,231,223
2002 7,233 2,189,683
2001 11,315 2,137,791
2000 12,302 2,083,622
1999 9,203 2,010,987
1998 9,183 1,984,989
1997 12,218 1,945,112
1996 12,188 1,896,364
1995 11,150 1,831,068
1994 12,139 1,788,133
1993 14,118 1,734,851
1992 20,090 1,673,839
1991 22,010 1,579,416
1990 19,935 1,479,663
1989 13,912 1,441,769
1988 14,853 1,393,356
1987 11,844 1,356,853
1986 5,917 1,050,277
1985 2,958 997,050
1984 4,927 920,670
1983 2,956 863,472
1982 7,885 1,080,853
1981 11,831 1,018,838
1980 10,845 1,007,516
1979 11,818 987,203
1978 7,872 943,388
1977 8,847 929,381
1976 1,964 899,577
1975 0 801,425
1974 7,818 777,306
1973 11,690 807,535
1972 18,451 779,808
1971 21,281 787,047
1970 23,173 760,821
1969 21,221 736,428
1968 20,199 715,602
1967 31,618 695,283
1966 36,206 616,281
1965 39,748 642,359
1964 51,580 618,667
1963 41,804 590,998
1962 42,414 563,650
1961 52,349 538,518
1960 40,275 511,694

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | 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% in Belgium and +2.59% in Ethiopia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.06% in Belgium and +2.64% in Ethiopia.

Birth rate in Belgium vs Ethiopia by year

Belgium
Ethiopia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Belgium Ethiopia
2023 9.4 31.9
2022 9.8 32.4
2021 10.2 32.9
2020 9.9 33.3
2019 10.2 33.5
2018 10.4 33.4
2017 10.5 33.2
2016 10.8 33.3
2015 10.8 33.3
2014 11.2 33.4
2013 11.3 33.6
2012 11.5 34.6
2011 11.7 35.7
2010 11.9 36.6
2009 11.8 37.5
2008 11.9 38.9
2007 11.7 40.1
2006 11.6 41.1
2005 11.4 42.1
2004 11.3 42.7
2003 11 43.3
2002 10.9 44.3
2001 11.2 45
2000 11.4 45.6
1999 11.2 46.4
1998 11.2 47
1997 11.4 47.9
1996 11.5 48.6
1995 11.4 49
1994 11.5 49.6
1993 12 50.1
1992 12.4 50.4
1991 12.6 50.2
1990 12.4 50.8
1989 12.2 50.8
1988 12.1 50.9
1987 11.9 51.2
1986 11.9 51.5
1985 11.6 51.6
1984 11.7 51.4
1983 11.9 51.1
1982 12.2 50.8
1981 12.6 50.3
1980 12.6 51.4
1979 12.6 51.3
1978 12.5 51
1977 12.4 51.2
1976 12.3 50.7
1975 12.2 50.6
1974 12.7 50.4
1973 13.3 50.1
1972 14 50
1971 14.6 49.9
1970 14.7 49.7
1969 14.7 49.6
1968 14.8 49.5
1967 15.3 49.6
1966 15.9 49.5
1965 16.4 49.3
1964 17.2 49
1963 17.1 48.7
1962 16.8 48.5
1961 17.3 48.1
1960 16.8 47.9

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Belgium and 31.9 in Ethiopia, compared with 16.8 and 47.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Belgium Ethiopia
Fertility rate 1.47 3.99
Fertility rate rank 151/196 27/196
Birth rate 9.4 31.9
Birth rate rank 155/196 23/196
Population change due to births and deaths +0 +3,338,649
Natural population change rank 157/196 5/196
Natural population change rate +0% +2.59%
Population growth +0.67% +2.62%
Population growth rank 119/197 25/197
Age at first childbirth 29.5 years 19.3 years
Average age at childbearing 31.3 years 29 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 3.31 64.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 55.1 185.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 15.4 61
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 25.1%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.4% 34.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.3% 49.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.2%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.21% 2.74%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.3% 3.57%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.36% 4.65%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 68.1 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Belgium
Factual

UN forecast
Ethiopia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Belgium Ethiopia
2100 12.8% 19.2%
2099 12.8% 19.4%
2098 12.9% 19.5%
2097 12.9% 19.6%
2096 12.9% 19.8%
2095 13% 19.9%
2094 13% 20.1%
2093 13.1% 20.2%
2092 13.1% 20.4%
2091 13.2% 20.5%
2090 13.2% 20.7%
2089 13.2% 20.9%
2088 13.3% 21%
2087 13.3% 21.2%
2086 13.3% 21.4%
2085 13.3% 21.5%
2084 13.3% 21.7%
2083 13.3% 21.9%
2082 13.3% 22.1%
2081 13.3% 22.3%
2080 13.2% 22.5%
2079 13.2% 22.6%
2078 13.2% 22.8%
2077 13.1% 23.1%
2076 13.1% 23.3%
2075 13% 23.5%
2074 13% 23.7%
2073 12.9% 23.9%
2072 12.9% 24.2%
2071 12.9% 24.4%
2070 12.9% 24.7%
2069 12.9% 24.9%
2068 12.9% 25.2%
2067 13% 25.4%
2066 13% 25.7%
2065 13.1% 26%
2064 13.1% 26.2%
2063 13.2% 26.5%
2062 13.3% 26.8%
2061 13.4% 27.1%
2060 13.5% 27.4%
2059 13.6% 27.6%
2058 13.7% 27.9%
2057 13.7% 28.2%
2056 13.8% 28.5%
2055 13.9% 28.8%
2054 13.9% 29%
2053 13.9% 29.3%
2052 14% 29.6%
2051 14% 29.9%
2050 13.9% 30.2%
2049 13.9% 30.5%
2048 13.8% 30.8%
2047 13.8% 31.1%
2046 13.7% 31.5%
2045 13.7% 31.9%
2044 13.6% 32.2%
2043 13.5% 32.6%
2042 13.4% 33%
2041 13.4% 33.4%
2040 13.3% 33.8%
2039 13.3% 34.3%
2038 13.3% 34.7%
2037 13.3% 35.1%
2036 13.5% 35.6%
2035 13.6% 36%
2034 13.7% 36.5%
2033 13.9% 36.8%
2032 14.1% 37.2%
2031 14.3% 37.5%
2030 14.5% 37.7%
2029 14.7% 37.9%
2028 15% 38.2%
2027 15.3% 38.4%
2026 15.6% 38.6%
2025 15.9% 38.9%
2024 16% 39.1%
2023 16.3% 39.4%
2022 16.5% 39.7%
2021 16.7% 40.1%
2020 16.8% 40.5%
2019 16.9% 40.9%
2018 16.9% 41.3%
2017 17% 41.8%
2016 17% 42.3%
2015 17% 42.9%
2014 17% 43.4%
2013 17% 44%
2012 17% 44.6%
2011 17% 45.2%
2010 16.9% 45.7%
2009 16.9% 46.2%
2008 16.9% 46.6%
2007 16.9% 46.9%
2006 17% 47.2%
2005 17.1% 47.4%
2004 17.2% 47.6%
2003 17.3% 47.7%
2002 17.5% 47.8%
2001 17.5% 47.8%
2000 17.6% 47.7%
1999 17.7% 47.6%
1998 17.7% 47.4%
1997 17.8% 47.1%
1996 17.9% 46.9%
1995 18% 46.7%
1994 18.1% 46.5%
1993 18.1% 46.4%
1992 18.2% 46.2%
1991 18.2% 46.2%
1990 18.1% 46.2%
1989 18.1% 46.1%
1988 18.2% 46%
1987 18.3% 46%
1986 18.6% 46%
1985 18.8% 46.1%
1984 19.1% 46.2%
1983 19.4% 46.4%
1982 19.6% 46.5%
1981 19.9% 46.4%
1980 20.3% 46.3%
1979 20.6% 46.2%
1978 21% 46.1%
1977 21.4% 45.9%
1976 21.8% 45.7%
1975 22.2% 45.6%
1974 22.6% 45.4%
1973 23% 45.2%
1972 23.3% 44.9%
1971 23.5% 44.5%
1970 23.6% 44.2%
1969 23.8% 43.8%
1968 23.9% 43.5%
1967 23.9% 43.2%
1966 24% 42.9%
1965 24% 42.5%
1964 23.9% 42.3%
1963 23.9% 42.2%
1962 23.8% 42.1%
1961 23.8% 42.2%
1960 23.7% 42.2%

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/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population in Belgium and 39.1% in Ethiopia in 2024, compared to 18.1% and 46.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Belgium and Ethiopia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Belgium vs Ethiopia

Belgium
Ethiopia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Belgium Ethiopia
2023 4 195
2022 11 207
2021 7 250
2020 4 244
2019 4 269
2018 5 297
2017 5 327
2016 5 364
2015 5 401
2014 5 444
2013 6 494
2012 5 545
2011 6 588
2010 6 619
2009 6 649
2008 6 678
2007 7 704
2006 6 729
2005 7 754
2004 7 764
2003 7 797
2002 7 826
2001 8 856
2000 8 870
1999 8 901
1998 8 911
1997 8 957
1996 9 1,008
1995 9 1,060
1994 9 1,113
1993 9 1,168
1992 9 1,218
1991 9 1,239
1990 9 1,320
1989 9 1,296
1988 9 1,306
1987 9 1,289
1986 9 1,317
1985 9 1,329

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 4 deaths per 100,000 live births in Belgium, compared to 195 deaths in Ethiopia.

Under-five mortality rates

Belgium
Ethiopia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Belgium Ethiopia
2023 0.36% 4.65%
2022 0.37% 4.82%
2021 0.38% 5%
2020 0.39% 5.2%
2019 0.39% 5.41%
2018 0.4% 5.64%
2017 0.4% 5.89%
2016 0.41% 6.17%
2015 0.41% 6.49%
2014 0.42% 6.82%
2013 0.42% 7.16%
2012 0.43% 7.53%
2011 0.44% 7.91%
2010 0.45% 8.32%
2009 0.46% 8.76%
2008 0.47% 9.23%
2007 0.48% 9.74%
2006 0.49% 10.3%
2005 0.5% 10.9%
2004 0.52% 11.5%
2003 0.53% 12.1%
2002 0.55% 12.8%
2001 0.57% 13.4%
2000 0.59% 14%
1999 0.61% 14.7%
1998 0.64% 15.3%
1997 0.67% 15.9%
1996 0.72% 16.6%
1995 0.77% 17.2%
1994 0.82% 17.9%
1993 0.87% 18.5%
1992 0.92% 19.1%
1991 0.96% 19.7%
1990 1% 20.2%
1989 1.03% 20.6%
1988 1.07% 21%
1987 1.1% 21.5%
1986 1.14% 29.7%
1985 1.18% 30.3%
1984 1.22% 31.4%
1983 1.27% 32%
1982 1.33% 23.5%
1981 1.39% 23.8%
1980 1.45% 24%
1979 1.52% 24.2%
1978 1.59% 24.4%
1977 1.67% 24.5%
1976 1.76% 24.5%
1975 1.86% 28.2%
1974 1.97% 28.3%
1973 2.08% 24.6%
1972 2.19% 24.7%
1971 2.3% 24.7%
1970 2.39% 24.7%
1969 2.48% 24.8%
1968 2.55% 24.8%
1967 2.62% 24.9%
1966 2.7% 27.8%
1965 2.79% -
1964 2.89% -
1963 3% -
1962 3.12% -
1961 3.25% -
1960 3.39% -

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/ethiopia | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.36% in Belgium and 4.65% in Ethiopia. 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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