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Fertility & birth rates in Belgium and Iceland

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 11 for Iceland. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.47 in Belgium and 1.59 in Iceland — 8.16% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 42.1% in Belgium and by 62.9% in Iceland — in 1960, it was 2.54 and 4.29, respectively.

  • Belgium is ranked 155/196 by birth rate compared to 132/196 for Iceland.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 29.5 years in Belgium, compared to 28.8 years in Iceland.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.3 in Belgium — it's 31 in Iceland.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 3.67 in Belgium vs 3.37 in Iceland.
  • In Belgium, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.7% in Iceland.

Fertility rate in Belgium vs Iceland by year

Belgium
Iceland
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belgium Iceland
2023 1.47 1.59
2022 1.53 1.59
2021 1.6 1.82
2020 1.55 1.72
2019 1.6 1.74
2018 1.62 1.71
2017 1.65 1.71
2016 1.68 1.74
2015 1.7 1.8
2014 1.74 1.93
2013 1.76 1.93
2012 1.8 2.04
2011 1.81 2.02
2010 1.86 2.2
2009 1.84 2.23
2008 1.85 2.15
2007 1.82 2.09
2006 1.8 2.08
2005 1.76 2.05
2004 1.72 2.04
2003 1.67 1.99
2002 1.65 1.93
2001 1.67 1.95
2000 1.67 2.08
1999 1.62 1.99
1998 1.6 2.05
1997 1.6 2.04
1996 1.59 2.12
1995 1.56 2.08
1994 1.56 2.14
1993 1.61 2.22
1992 1.65 2.21
1991 1.66 2.18
1990 1.62 2.3
1989 1.58 2.19
1988 1.57 2.26
1987 1.54 2.06
1986 1.54 1.92
1985 1.51 1.93
1984 1.54 2.08
1983 1.57 2.24
1982 1.61 2.27
1981 1.66 2.33
1980 1.68 2.48
1979 1.69 2.49
1978 1.69 2.35
1977 1.71 2.31
1976 1.73 2.52
1975 1.74 2.65
1974 1.83 2.66
1973 1.95 2.94
1972 2.09 3.09
1971 2.21 2.92
1970 2.25 2.81
1969 2.27 2.99
1968 2.31 3.06
1967 2.41 3.28
1966 2.52 3.59
1965 2.61 3.73
1964 2.71 3.88
1963 2.68 3.99
1962 2.59 3.98
1961 2.63 3.88
1960 2.54 4.29

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/iceland | 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 1.59 in Iceland in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Belgium
Iceland
1x
Year Natural population change
Belgium Iceland
2023 0 1,697
2022 -2,336 1,719
2021 5,793 2,534
2020 -12,692 2,199
2019 8,042 2,163
2018 7,999 1,975
2017 10,238 1,854
2016 14,731 1,711
2015 11,274 1,952
2014 21,297 2,324
2013 16,739 2,169
2012 18,882 2,566
2011 25,388 2,521
2010 23,970 2,862
2009 23,752 3,026
2008 22,491 2,825
2007 23,376 2,617
2006 21,096 2,491
2005 15,718 2,433
2004 16,673 2,425
2003 7,263 2,317
2002 7,233 2,243
2001 11,315 2,365
2000 12,302 2,475
1999 9,203 2,192
1998 9,183 2,357
1997 12,218 2,305
1996 12,188 2,447
1995 11,150 2,354
1994 12,139 2,713
1993 14,118 2,875
1992 20,090 2,898
1991 22,010 2,733
1990 19,935 3,058
1989 13,912 2,832
1988 14,853 2,847
1987 11,844 2,360
1986 5,917 2,384
1985 2,958 2,221
1984 4,927 2,539
1983 2,956 2,702
1982 7,885 2,736
1981 11,831 2,677
1980 10,845 2,966
1979 11,818 2,980
1978 7,872 2,727
1977 8,847 2,551
1976 1,964 2,951
1975 0 2,965
1974 7,818 2,776
1973 11,690 3,121
1972 18,451 3,241
1971 21,281 2,782
1970 23,173 2,576
1969 21,221 2,766
1968 20,199 2,841
1967 31,618 3,021
1966 36,206 3,305
1965 39,748 3,442
1964 51,580 3,459
1963 41,804 3,490
1962 42,414 3,465
1961 52,349 3,312
1960 40,275 3,758

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/iceland | 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 +0.44% in Iceland.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.06% in Belgium and +0.57% in Iceland.

Birth rate in Belgium vs Iceland by year

Belgium
Iceland

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Belgium Iceland
2023 9.4 11
2022 9.8 11.5
2021 10.2 13.1
2020 9.9 12.3
2019 10.2 12.3
2018 10.4 12
2017 10.5 11.9
2016 10.8 12
2015 10.8 12.5
2014 11.2 13.4
2013 11.3 13.4
2012 11.5 14.1
2011 11.7 14.1
2010 11.9 15.4
2009 11.8 15.8
2008 11.9 15.2
2007 11.7 14.6
2006 11.6 14.5
2005 11.4 14.4
2004 11.3 14.5
2003 11 14.3
2002 10.9 14.1
2001 11.2 14.4
2000 11.4 15.3
1999 11.2 14.8
1998 11.2 15.2
1997 11.4 15.3
1996 11.5 16.1
1995 11.4 16
1994 11.5 16.7
1993 12 17.5
1992 12.4 17.7
1991 12.6 17.6
1990 12.4 18.7
1989 12.2 18
1988 12.1 18.7
1987 11.9 16.6
1986 11.9 16.4
1985 11.6 16
1984 11.7 17.2
1983 11.9 18.4
1982 12.2 18.5
1981 12.6 18.8
1980 12.6 19.8
1979 12.6 19.8
1978 12.5 18.6
1977 12.4 18
1976 12.3 19.5
1975 12.2 20.1
1974 12.7 19.9
1973 13.3 21.7
1972 14 22.4
1971 14.6 20.8
1970 14.7 19.7
1969 14.7 20.7
1968 14.8 21
1967 15.3 22.2
1966 15.9 24
1965 16.4 24.6
1964 17.2 25.3
1963 17.1 26
1962 16.8 25.8
1961 17.3 25.5
1960 16.8 28

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Belgium and 11 in Iceland, compared with 16.8 and 28, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Belgium Iceland
Fertility rate 1.47 1.59
Fertility rate rank 151/196 127/196
Birth rate 9.4 11
Birth rate rank 155/196 132/196
Population change due to births and deaths +0 +1,697
Natural population change rank 157/196 138/196
Natural population change rate +0% +0.44%
Population growth +0.67% +0.22%
Population growth rank 119/197 155/197
Age at first childbirth 29.5 years 28.8 years
Average age at childbearing 31.3 years 31 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 3.31 2.72
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 55.1 67.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 15.4 20.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 23.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.4% n/a
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.3% 97.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.003%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.21% 0.13%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.3% 0.19%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.36% 0.26%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 83.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Belgium
Factual

UN forecast
Iceland
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Belgium Iceland
2100 12.8% 11.8%
2099 12.8% 11.8%
2098 12.9% 11.8%
2097 12.9% 11.8%
2096 12.9% 11.9%
2095 13% 11.9%
2094 13% 11.9%
2093 13.1% 11.9%
2092 13.1% 11.9%
2091 13.2% 11.9%
2090 13.2% 11.9%
2089 13.2% 11.9%
2088 13.3% 11.9%
2087 13.3% 11.9%
2086 13.3% 11.9%
2085 13.3% 11.9%
2084 13.3% 11.9%
2083 13.3% 11.9%
2082 13.3% 11.9%
2081 13.3% 11.9%
2080 13.2% 11.9%
2079 13.2% 12%
2078 13.2% 12%
2077 13.1% 12%
2076 13.1% 12%
2075 13% 12.1%
2074 13% 12.1%
2073 12.9% 12.1%
2072 12.9% 12.2%
2071 12.9% 12.2%
2070 12.9% 12.3%
2069 12.9% 12.4%
2068 12.9% 12.4%
2067 13% 12.5%
2066 13% 12.6%
2065 13.1% 12.6%
2064 13.1% 12.7%
2063 13.2% 12.8%
2062 13.3% 12.8%
2061 13.4% 12.9%
2060 13.5% 13%
2059 13.6% 13%
2058 13.7% 13.1%
2057 13.7% 13.2%
2056 13.8% 13.2%
2055 13.9% 13.3%
2054 13.9% 13.4%
2053 13.9% 13.4%
2052 14% 13.5%
2051 14% 13.6%
2050 13.9% 13.7%
2049 13.9% 13.8%
2048 13.8% 13.8%
2047 13.8% 14%
2046 13.7% 14.1%
2045 13.7% 14.2%
2044 13.6% 14.3%
2043 13.5% 14.4%
2042 13.4% 14.6%
2041 13.4% 14.8%
2040 13.3% 14.9%
2039 13.3% 15.1%
2038 13.3% 15.3%
2037 13.3% 15.5%
2036 13.5% 15.8%
2035 13.6% 16%
2034 13.7% 16.2%
2033 13.9% 16.4%
2032 14.1% 16.5%
2031 14.3% 16.6%
2030 14.5% 16.7%
2029 14.7% 16.9%
2028 15% 17%
2027 15.3% 17.2%
2026 15.6% 17.4%
2025 15.9% 17.6%
2024 16% 17.8%
2023 16.3% 18.1%
2022 16.5% 18.4%
2021 16.7% 18.6%
2020 16.8% 18.7%
2019 16.9% 18.9%
2018 16.9% 19.2%
2017 17% 19.6%
2016 17% 19.9%
2015 17% 20.2%
2014 17% 20.4%
2013 17% 20.6%
2012 17% 20.7%
2011 17% 20.8%
2010 16.9% 20.9%
2009 16.9% 20.9%
2008 16.9% 20.9%
2007 16.9% 21.1%
2006 17% 21.5%
2005 17.1% 22.1%
2004 17.2% 22.5%
2003 17.3% 22.8%
2002 17.5% 23%
2001 17.5% 23.2%
2000 17.6% 23.3%
1999 17.7% 23.4%
1998 17.7% 23.6%
1997 17.8% 23.9%
1996 17.9% 24.1%
1995 18% 24.4%
1994 18.1% 24.7%
1993 18.1% 24.8%
1992 18.2% 24.8%
1991 18.2% 24.8%
1990 18.1% 25%
1989 18.1% 25%
1988 18.2% 25.2%
1987 18.3% 25.6%
1986 18.6% 25.9%
1985 18.8% 26.2%
1984 19.1% 26.5%
1983 19.4% 26.7%
1982 19.6% 26.9%
1981 19.9% 27.2%
1980 20.3% 27.5%
1979 20.6% 27.9%
1978 21% 28.4%
1977 21.4% 29%
1976 21.8% 29.5%
1975 22.2% 30.1%
1974 22.6% 30.7%
1973 23% 31.2%
1972 23.3% 31.6%
1971 23.5% 32.1%
1970 23.6% 32.6%
1969 23.8% 33.2%
1968 23.9% 33.6%
1967 23.9% 34%
1966 24% 34.3%
1965 24% 34.5%
1964 23.9% 34.7%
1963 23.9% 34.9%
1962 23.8% 34.9%
1961 23.8% 35%
1960 23.7% 34.9%

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/iceland | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population in Belgium and 17.8% in Iceland in 2024, compared to 18.1% and 25% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Belgium and Iceland compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Belgium vs Iceland

Belgium
Iceland
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Belgium Iceland
2023 4 3
2022 11 5
2021 7 5
2020 4 12
2019 4 4
2018 5 4
2017 5 3
2016 5 3
2015 5 4
2014 5 4
2013 6 4
2012 5 4
2011 6 4
2010 6 5
2009 6 5
2008 6 4
2007 7 5
2006 6 5
2005 7 5
2004 7 6
2003 7 6
2002 7 7
2001 8 6
2000 8 7
1999 8 7
1998 8 8
1997 8 8
1996 9 7
1995 9 13
1994 9 9
1993 9 10
1992 9 12
1991 9 11
1990 9 13
1989 9 14
1988 9 11
1987 9 13
1986 9 15
1985 9 11

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/iceland | 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 3 deaths in Iceland.

Under-five mortality rates

Belgium
Iceland

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Belgium Iceland
2023 0.36% 0.26%
2022 0.37% 0.26%
2021 0.38% 0.27%
2020 0.39% 0.27%
2019 0.39% 0.27%
2018 0.4% 0.27%
2017 0.4% 0.26%
2016 0.41% 0.26%
2015 0.41% 0.26%
2014 0.42% 0.26%
2013 0.42% 0.26%
2012 0.43% 0.26%
2011 0.44% 0.27%
2010 0.45% 0.27%
2009 0.46% 0.27%
2008 0.47% 0.28%
2007 0.48% 0.29%
2006 0.49% 0.3%
2005 0.5% 0.31%
2004 0.52% 0.33%
2003 0.53% 0.34%
2002 0.55% 0.36%
2001 0.57% 0.38%
2000 0.59% 0.4%
1999 0.61% 0.42%
1998 0.64% 0.45%
1997 0.67% 0.47%
1996 0.72% 0.49%
1995 0.77% 0.52%
1994 0.82% 0.54%
1993 0.87% 0.56%
1992 0.92% 0.58%
1991 0.96% 0.61%
1990 1% 0.63%
1989 1.03% 0.65%
1988 1.07% 0.67%
1987 1.1% 0.7%
1986 1.14% 0.73%
1985 1.18% 0.75%
1984 1.22% 0.79%
1983 1.27% 0.83%
1982 1.33% 0.87%
1981 1.39% 0.92%
1980 1.45% 0.97%
1979 1.52% 1.03%
1978 1.59% 1.09%
1977 1.67% 1.15%
1976 1.76% 1.22%
1975 1.86% 1.29%
1974 1.97% 1.35%
1973 2.08% 1.41%
1972 2.19% 1.48%
1971 2.3% 1.54%
1970 2.39% 1.6%
1969 2.48% 1.66%
1968 2.55% 1.72%
1967 2.62% 1.79%
1966 2.7% 1.85%
1965 2.79% 1.92%
1964 2.89% 1.97%
1963 3% 2.02%
1962 3.12% 2.07%
1961 3.25% 2.11%
1960 3.39% 2.14%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.36% in Belgium and 0.26% in Iceland. 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)

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