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Fertility & birth rates in Belgium and Gambia

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 30.4 for the Gambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.47 in Belgium and 4.01 in the Gambia — 172.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 42.1% in Belgium and by 35.9% in the Gambia — in 1960, it was 2.54 and 6.25, respectively.

  • Belgium is ranked 155/196 by birth rate compared to 30/196 for the Gambia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 29.5 years in Belgium, compared to 20.7 years in the Gambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.3 in Belgium — it's 29.8 in the Gambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 3.67 in Belgium vs 58.1 in the Gambia.
  • In Belgium, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.5% in the Gambia.

Fertility rate in Belgium vs Gambia by year

Belgium
Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belgium Gambia
2023 1.47 4.01
2022 1.53 4.08
2021 1.6 4.17
2020 1.55 4.25
2019 1.6 4.33
2018 1.62 4.42
2017 1.65 4.61
2016 1.68 4.81
2015 1.7 5
2014 1.74 5.2
2013 1.76 5.39
2012 1.8 5.52
2011 1.81 5.54
2010 1.86 5.56
2009 1.84 5.57
2008 1.85 5.63
2007 1.82 5.69
2006 1.8 5.74
2005 1.76 5.71
2004 1.72 5.68
2003 1.67 5.66
2002 1.65 5.66
2001 1.67 5.67
2000 1.67 5.72
1999 1.62 5.77
1998 1.6 5.82
1997 1.6 5.85
1996 1.59 5.93
1995 1.56 5.99
1994 1.56 6.04
1993 1.61 6.03
1992 1.65 6.11
1991 1.66 6.19
1990 1.62 6.25
1989 1.58 6.25
1988 1.57 6.26
1987 1.54 6.3
1986 1.54 6.34
1985 1.51 6.36
1984 1.54 6.39
1983 1.57 6.39
1982 1.61 6.4
1981 1.66 6.4
1980 1.68 6.41
1979 1.69 6.41
1978 1.69 6.42
1977 1.71 6.43
1976 1.73 6.43
1975 1.74 6.43
1974 1.83 6.42
1973 1.95 6.41
1972 2.09 6.37
1971 2.21 6.33
1970 2.25 6.26
1969 2.27 6.25
1968 2.31 6.22
1967 2.41 6.21
1966 2.52 6.18
1965 2.61 6.19
1964 2.71 6.2
1963 2.68 6.2
1962 2.59 6.21
1961 2.63 6.23
1960 2.54 6.25

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/gambia | 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 4.01 in the Gambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Belgium
Gambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Belgium Gambia
2023 0 65,118
2022 -2,336 63,634
2021 5,793 62,239
2020 -12,692 62,209
2019 8,042 61,701
2018 7,999 60,854
2017 10,238 61,665
2016 14,731 62,358
2015 11,274 62,832
2014 21,297 63,185
2013 16,739 63,510
2012 18,882 62,745
2011 25,388 60,571
2010 23,970 58,554
2009 23,752 56,575
2008 22,491 55,032
2007 23,376 53,653
2006 21,096 52,335
2005 15,718 50,010
2004 16,673 48,276
2003 7,263 46,473
2002 7,233 45,156
2001 11,315 44,154
2000 12,302 43,249
1999 9,203 42,533
1998 9,183 41,842
1997 12,218 40,742
1996 12,188 40,253
1995 11,150 39,681
1994 12,139 38,880
1993 14,118 37,302
1992 20,090 35,951
1991 22,010 34,584
1990 19,935 33,163
1989 13,912 31,504
1988 14,853 29,938
1987 11,844 28,452
1986 5,917 27,195
1985 2,958 25,795
1984 4,927 24,586
1983 2,956 23,175
1982 7,885 21,894
1981 11,831 20,156
1980 10,845 19,566
1979 11,818 18,543
1978 7,872 17,424
1977 8,847 16,773
1976 1,964 16,032
1975 0 15,256
1974 7,818 14,628
1973 11,690 14,046
1972 18,451 13,432
1971 21,281 12,842
1970 23,173 12,128
1969 21,221 11,670
1968 20,199 11,215
1967 31,618 10,823
1966 36,206 10,422
1965 39,748 10,162
1964 51,580 9,825
1963 41,804 9,493
1962 42,414 9,150
1961 52,349 8,778
1960 40,275 8,420

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/gambia | 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 +2.41% in the Gambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.06% in Belgium and +2.59% in the Gambia.

Birth rate in Belgium vs Gambia by year

Belgium
Gambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Belgium Gambia
2023 9.4 30.4
2022 9.8 30.8
2021 10.2 31.2
2020 9.9 31.5
2019 10.2 31.9
2018 10.4 32.3
2017 10.5 33.5
2016 10.8 34.6
2015 10.8 35.7
2014 11.2 36.9
2013 11.3 38.1
2012 11.5 38.8
2011 11.7 38.8
2010 11.9 38.9
2009 11.8 38.9
2008 11.9 39.2
2007 11.7 39.5
2006 11.6 39.9
2005 11.4 39.7
2004 11.3 39.7
2003 11 39.7
2002 10.9 40
2001 11.2 40.5
2000 11.4 41.1
1999 11.2 41.8
1998 11.2 42.5
1997 11.4 43.2
1996 11.5 44.1
1995 11.4 45.1
1994 11.5 45.9
1993 12 46.1
1992 12.4 46.6
1991 12.6 47.2
1990 12.4 47.7
1989 12.2 47.9
1988 12.1 48.1
1987 11.9 48.5
1986 11.9 48.8
1985 11.6 49
1984 11.7 49.3
1983 11.9 49
1982 12.2 48.8
1981 12.6 48.5
1980 12.6 48.2
1979 12.6 47.8
1978 12.5 47.6
1977 12.4 47.5
1976 12.3 47.4
1975 12.2 47.3
1974 12.7 47.3
1973 13.3 47.5
1972 14 47.5
1971 14.6 47.6
1970 14.7 47.4
1969 14.7 47.6
1968 14.8 47.9
1967 15.3 48.2
1966 15.9 48.5
1965 16.4 49
1964 17.2 49.4
1963 17.1 49.8
1962 16.8 50
1961 17.3 50.3
1960 16.8 50.4

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Belgium and 30.4 in the Gambia, compared with 16.8 and 50.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Belgium Gambia
Fertility rate 1.47 4.01
Fertility rate rank 151/196 26/196
Birth rate 9.4 30.4
Birth rate rank 155/196 30/196
Population change due to births and deaths +0 +65,118
Natural population change rank 157/196 88/196
Natural population change rate +0% +2.41%
Population growth +0.67% +2.3%
Population growth rank 119/197 37/197
Age at first childbirth 29.5 years 20.7 years
Average age at childbearing 31.3 years 29.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 3.31 52.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 55.1 170.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 15.4 67.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 24.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.4% 17.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.3% 83.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.35%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.21% 2.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.3% 3.38%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.36% 4.41%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Belgium
Factual

UN forecast
Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Belgium Gambia
2100 12.8% 18.1%
2099 12.8% 18.2%
2098 12.9% 18.3%
2097 12.9% 18.4%
2096 12.9% 18.5%
2095 13% 18.6%
2094 13% 18.7%
2093 13.1% 18.9%
2092 13.1% 19%
2091 13.2% 19.1%
2090 13.2% 19.3%
2089 13.2% 19.4%
2088 13.3% 19.6%
2087 13.3% 19.7%
2086 13.3% 19.9%
2085 13.3% 20%
2084 13.3% 20.2%
2083 13.3% 20.3%
2082 13.3% 20.5%
2081 13.3% 20.6%
2080 13.2% 20.8%
2079 13.2% 21%
2078 13.2% 21.2%
2077 13.1% 21.3%
2076 13.1% 21.5%
2075 13% 21.7%
2074 13% 21.9%
2073 12.9% 22.1%
2072 12.9% 22.3%
2071 12.9% 22.6%
2070 12.9% 22.8%
2069 12.9% 23%
2068 12.9% 23.2%
2067 13% 23.5%
2066 13% 23.7%
2065 13.1% 24%
2064 13.1% 24.3%
2063 13.2% 24.5%
2062 13.3% 24.8%
2061 13.4% 25.1%
2060 13.5% 25.4%
2059 13.6% 25.7%
2058 13.7% 26%
2057 13.7% 26.3%
2056 13.8% 26.7%
2055 13.9% 27%
2054 13.9% 27.3%
2053 13.9% 27.6%
2052 14% 28%
2051 14% 28.3%
2050 13.9% 28.6%
2049 13.9% 28.9%
2048 13.8% 29.3%
2047 13.8% 29.6%
2046 13.7% 30%
2045 13.7% 30.3%
2044 13.6% 30.7%
2043 13.5% 31.1%
2042 13.4% 31.5%
2041 13.4% 31.9%
2040 13.3% 32.3%
2039 13.3% 32.7%
2038 13.3% 33.2%
2037 13.3% 33.6%
2036 13.5% 34.1%
2035 13.6% 34.5%
2034 13.7% 35%
2033 13.9% 35.4%
2032 14.1% 35.9%
2031 14.3% 36.4%
2030 14.5% 37%
2029 14.7% 37.6%
2028 15% 38.2%
2027 15.3% 38.9%
2026 15.6% 39.5%
2025 15.9% 40%
2024 16% 40.2%
2023 16.3% 40.7%
2022 16.5% 41.2%
2021 16.7% 41.6%
2020 16.8% 42%
2019 16.9% 42.4%
2018 16.9% 42.8%
2017 17% 43.1%
2016 17% 43.3%
2015 17% 43.6%
2014 17% 43.7%
2013 17% 43.9%
2012 17% 44.1%
2011 17% 44.3%
2010 16.9% 44.5%
2009 16.9% 44.8%
2008 16.9% 45.1%
2007 16.9% 45.3%
2006 17% 45.6%
2005 17.1% 45.9%
2004 17.2% 46.1%
2003 17.3% 46.4%
2002 17.5% 46.6%
2001 17.5% 46.7%
2000 17.6% 46.8%
1999 17.7% 46.9%
1998 17.7% 46.9%
1997 17.8% 46.9%
1996 17.9% 46.7%
1995 18% 46.5%
1994 18.1% 46.3%
1993 18.1% 46%
1992 18.2% 45.9%
1991 18.2% 45.8%
1990 18.1% 45.7%
1989 18.1% 45.6%
1988 18.2% 45.5%
1987 18.3% 45.4%
1986 18.6% 45.2%
1985 18.8% 45%
1984 19.1% 44.9%
1983 19.4% 44.6%
1982 19.6% 44.3%
1981 19.9% 44%
1980 20.3% 43.7%
1979 20.6% 43.5%
1978 21% 43.3%
1977 21.4% 43%
1976 21.8% 42.8%
1975 22.2% 42.6%
1974 22.6% 42.4%
1973 23% 42.3%
1972 23.3% 42.2%
1971 23.5% 42.1%
1970 23.6% 42%
1969 23.8% 41.9%
1968 23.9% 41.8%
1967 23.9% 41.6%
1966 24% 41.5%
1965 24% 41.3%
1964 23.9% 41%
1963 23.9% 40.8%
1962 23.8% 40.7%
1961 23.8% 40.8%
1960 23.7% 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/belgium/gambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population in Belgium and 40.2% in the Gambia in 2024, compared to 18.1% and 45.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Belgium and the Gambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Belgium vs Gambia

Belgium
Gambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Belgium Gambia
2023 4 354
2022 11 365
2021 7 420
2020 4 400
2019 4 422
2018 5 450
2017 5 469
2016 5 490
2015 5 527
2014 5 561
2013 6 606
2012 5 628
2011 6 634
2010 6 632
2009 6 634
2008 6 653
2007 7 675
2006 6 682
2005 7 707
2004 7 719
2003 7 749
2002 7 772
2001 8 794
2000 8 810
1999 8 830
1998 8 867
1997 8 928
1996 9 956
1995 9 999
1994 9 1,039
1993 9 1,072
1992 9 1,115
1991 9 1,167
1990 9 1,207
1989 9 1,258
1988 9 1,302
1987 9 1,360
1986 9 1,401
1985 9 1,454

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/gambia | 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 354 deaths in the Gambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Belgium
Gambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Belgium Gambia
2023 0.36% 4.41%
2022 0.37% 4.56%
2021 0.38% 4.72%
2020 0.39% 4.89%
2019 0.39% 5.07%
2018 0.4% 5.27%
2017 0.4% 5.47%
2016 0.41% 5.7%
2015 0.41% 5.93%
2014 0.42% 6.18%
2013 0.42% 6.45%
2012 0.43% 6.73%
2011 0.44% 7.01%
2010 0.45% 7.31%
2009 0.46% 7.64%
2008 0.47% 7.98%
2007 0.48% 8.33%
2006 0.49% 8.71%
2005 0.5% 9.11%
2004 0.52% 9.52%
2003 0.53% 9.95%
2002 0.55% 10.4%
2001 0.57% 10.9%
2000 0.59% 11.3%
1999 0.61% 11.8%
1998 0.64% 12.3%
1997 0.67% 12.8%
1996 0.72% 13.3%
1995 0.77% 13.9%
1994 0.82% 14.4%
1993 0.87% 14.9%
1992 0.92% 15.5%
1991 0.96% 16%
1990 1% 16.6%
1989 1.03% 17.2%
1988 1.07% 17.8%
1987 1.1% 18.4%
1986 1.14% 19.1%
1985 1.18% 19.7%
1984 1.22% 20.4%
1983 1.27% 21%
1982 1.33% 21.7%
1981 1.39% 22.3%
1980 1.45% 23%
1979 1.52% 23.6%
1978 1.59% 24.2%
1977 1.67% 24.9%
1976 1.76% 25.5%
1975 1.86% 26.2%
1974 1.97% 26.9%
1973 2.08% 27.5%
1972 2.19% 28.2%
1971 2.3% 28.9%
1970 2.39% 29.5%
1969 2.48% 30.2%
1968 2.55% 30.9%
1967 2.62% 31.5%
1966 2.7% 32.1%
1965 2.79% 32.8%
1964 2.89% 33.5%
1963 3% 34.1%
1962 3.12% 34.8%
1961 3.25% 35.5%
1960 3.39% 36.2%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.36% in Belgium and 4.41% in the Gambia. 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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