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Fertility & birth rates in Belgium and Spain

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 6.7 for Spain. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.47 in Belgium and 1.12 in Spain — 23.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 42.1% in Belgium and by 60.8% in Spain — in 1960, it was 2.54 and 2.86, respectively.

  • Belgium is ranked 155/196 by birth rate compared to 189/196 for Spain.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 29.5 years in Belgium, compared to 31.5 years in Spain.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.3 in Belgium — it's 32.5 in Spain.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 3.67 in Belgium vs 4.81 in Spain.
  • In Belgium, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.3% in Spain.

Fertility rate in Belgium vs Spain by year

Belgium
Spain
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belgium Spain
2023 1.47 1.12
2022 1.53 1.16
2021 1.6 1.18
2020 1.55 1.18
2019 1.6 1.23
2018 1.62 1.26
2017 1.65 1.31
2016 1.68 1.33
2015 1.7 1.33
2014 1.74 1.32
2013 1.76 1.27
2012 1.8 1.32
2011 1.81 1.34
2010 1.86 1.37
2009 1.84 1.38
2008 1.85 1.45
2007 1.82 1.38
2006 1.8 1.36
2005 1.76 1.33
2004 1.72 1.31
2003 1.67 1.3
2002 1.65 1.25
2001 1.67 1.23
2000 1.67 1.22
1999 1.62 1.17
1998 1.6 1.13
1997 1.6 1.15
1996 1.59 1.14
1995 1.56 1.16
1994 1.56 1.19
1993 1.61 1.26
1992 1.65 1.31
1991 1.66 1.33
1990 1.62 1.36
1989 1.58 1.4
1988 1.57 1.45
1987 1.54 1.49
1986 1.54 1.56
1985 1.51 1.64
1984 1.54 1.73
1983 1.57 1.8
1982 1.61 1.94
1981 1.66 2.04
1980 1.68 2.22
1979 1.69 2.37
1978 1.69 2.54
1977 1.71 2.65
1976 1.73 2.77
1975 1.74 2.77
1974 1.83 2.88
1973 1.95 2.84
1972 2.09 2.87
1971 2.21 2.9
1970 2.25 2.84
1969 2.27 2.86
1968 2.31 2.87
1967 2.41 2.94
1966 2.52 2.91
1965 2.61 2.94
1964 2.71 3.01
1963 2.68 2.88
1962 2.59 2.8
1961 2.63 2.77
1960 2.54 2.86

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/spain | 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 1.12 in Spain in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Belgium
Spain
1x
Year Natural population change
Belgium Spain
2023 0 -111,211
2022 -2,336 -133,801
2021 5,793 -113,865
2020 -12,692 -151,551
2019 8,042 -56,542
2018 7,999 -56,139
2017 10,238 -32,600
2016 14,731 0
2015 11,274 -4,642
2014 21,297 32,522
2013 16,739 37,284
2012 18,882 51,450
2011 25,388 84,137
2010 23,970 102,469
2009 23,752 106,635
2008 22,491 133,267
2007 23,376 108,545
2006 21,096 110,994
2005 15,718 78,576
2004 16,673 85,844
2003 7,263 54,844
2002 7,233 53,861
2001 11,315 44,936
2000 12,302 36,512
1999 9,203 8,077
1998 9,183 4,022
1997 12,218 20,028
1996 12,188 11,967
1995 11,150 15,889
1994 12,139 31,639
1993 14,118 47,234
1992 20,090 62,652
1991 22,010 58,450
1990 19,935 66,075
1989 13,912 81,538
1988 14,853 100,794
1987 11,844 116,054
1986 5,917 131,188
1985 2,958 146,184
1984 4,927 172,487
1983 2,956 183,223
1982 7,885 231,714
1981 11,831 237,879
1980 10,845 281,184
1979 11,818 312,407
1978 7,872 339,157
1977 8,847 361,465
1976 1,964 375,834
1975 0 371,882
1974 7,818 396,182
1973 11,690 374,381
1972 18,451 391,030
1971 21,281 369,625
1970 23,173 378,723
1969 21,221 367,851
1968 20,199 387,423
1967 31,618 402,001
1966 36,206 397,084
1965 39,748 405,819
1964 51,580 429,885
1963 41,804 394,338
1962 42,414 384,690
1961 52,349 396,537
1960 40,275 398,960

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/spain | 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 -0.23% in Spain.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.06% in Belgium and -0.13% in Spain.

Birth rate in Belgium vs Spain by year

Belgium
Spain

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Belgium Spain
2023 9.4 6.7
2022 9.8 6.9
2021 10.2 7.1
2020 9.9 7.2
2019 10.2 7.6
2018 10.4 7.9
2017 10.5 8.4
2016 10.8 8.8
2015 10.8 9
2014 11.2 9.2
2013 11.3 9.1
2012 11.5 9.7
2011 11.7 10.1
2010 11.9 10.4
2009 11.8 10.6
2008 11.9 11.3
2007 11.7 10.9
2006 11.6 10.8
2005 11.4 10.6
2004 11.3 10.6
2003 11 10.4
2002 10.9 10.1
2001 11.2 9.9
2000 11.4 9.8
1999 11.2 9.4
1998 11.2 9.1
1997 11.4 9.2
1996 11.5 9.1
1995 11.4 9.1
1994 11.5 9.4
1993 12 9.8
1992 12.4 10.1
1991 12.6 10.2
1990 12.4 10.3
1989 12.2 10.5
1988 12.1 10.8
1987 11.9 11
1986 11.9 11.4
1985 11.6 11.9
1984 11.7 12.3
1983 11.9 12.7
1982 12.2 13.6
1981 12.6 14.1
1980 12.6 15.2
1979 12.6 16.2
1978 12.5 17.3
1977 12.4 18
1976 12.3 18.7
1975 12.2 18.7
1974 12.7 19.5
1973 13.3 19.2
1972 14 19.4
1971 14.6 19.6
1970 14.7 19.5
1969 14.7 19.9
1968 14.8 20.1
1967 15.3 20.7
1966 15.9 20.7
1965 16.4 21.1
1964 17.2 22
1963 17.1 21.4
1962 16.8 21.1
1961 17.3 21.2
1960 16.8 21.7

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Belgium and 6.7 in Spain, compared with 16.8 and 21.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Belgium Spain
Fertility rate 1.47 1.12
Fertility rate rank 151/196 189/196
Birth rate 9.4 6.7
Birth rate rank 155/196 189/196
Population change due to births and deaths +0 -111,211
Natural population change rank 157/196 189/196
Natural population change rate +0% -0.23%
Population growth +0.67% +1.03%
Population growth rank 119/197 100/197
Age at first childbirth 29.5 years 31.5 years
Average age at childbearing 31.3 years 32.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 3.31 5.01
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 55.1 34.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 15.4 13.3
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 21.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.4% 59.9%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.3% 99.9%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.003%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.21% 0.17%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.3% 0.26%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.36% 0.31%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 84.1 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Belgium
Factual

UN forecast
Spain
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Belgium Spain
2100 12.8% 11.6%
2099 12.8% 11.6%
2098 12.9% 11.7%
2097 12.9% 11.7%
2096 12.9% 11.7%
2095 13% 11.8%
2094 13% 11.8%
2093 13.1% 11.9%
2092 13.1% 11.9%
2091 13.2% 11.9%
2090 13.2% 12%
2089 13.2% 12%
2088 13.3% 12%
2087 13.3% 12.1%
2086 13.3% 12.1%
2085 13.3% 12.1%
2084 13.3% 12%
2083 13.3% 12%
2082 13.3% 12%
2081 13.3% 11.9%
2080 13.2% 11.9%
2079 13.2% 11.8%
2078 13.2% 11.7%
2077 13.1% 11.6%
2076 13.1% 11.6%
2075 13% 11.5%
2074 13% 11.4%
2073 12.9% 11.3%
2072 12.9% 11.2%
2071 12.9% 11.2%
2070 12.9% 11.1%
2069 12.9% 11.1%
2068 12.9% 11%
2067 13% 11%
2066 13% 11%
2065 13.1% 11%
2064 13.1% 11%
2063 13.2% 11.1%
2062 13.3% 11.1%
2061 13.4% 11.2%
2060 13.5% 11.2%
2059 13.6% 11.3%
2058 13.7% 11.4%
2057 13.7% 11.4%
2056 13.8% 11.5%
2055 13.9% 11.5%
2054 13.9% 11.5%
2053 13.9% 11.5%
2052 14% 11.5%
2051 14% 11.5%
2050 13.9% 11.5%
2049 13.9% 11.4%
2048 13.8% 11.4%
2047 13.8% 11.3%
2046 13.7% 11.2%
2045 13.7% 11.1%
2044 13.6% 11.1%
2043 13.5% 11%
2042 13.4% 10.9%
2041 13.4% 10.9%
2040 13.3% 10.8%
2039 13.3% 10.8%
2038 13.3% 10.7%
2037 13.3% 10.7%
2036 13.5% 10.7%
2035 13.6% 10.7%
2034 13.7% 10.8%
2033 13.9% 10.9%
2032 14.1% 11.1%
2031 14.3% 11.3%
2030 14.5% 11.5%
2029 14.7% 11.7%
2028 15% 11.9%
2027 15.3% 12.2%
2026 15.6% 12.5%
2025 15.9% 12.8%
2024 16% 12.9%
2023 16.3% 13.3%
2022 16.5% 13.6%
2021 16.7% 13.9%
2020 16.8% 14.2%
2019 16.9% 14.4%
2018 16.9% 14.7%
2017 17% 14.8%
2016 17% 14.9%
2015 17% 15%
2014 17% 15.1%
2013 17% 15.1%
2012 17% 15.1%
2011 17% 15%
2010 16.9% 14.9%
2009 16.9% 14.8%
2008 16.9% 14.7%
2007 16.9% 14.6%
2006 17% 14.5%
2005 17.1% 14.5%
2004 17.2% 14.5%
2003 17.3% 14.5%
2002 17.5% 14.6%
2001 17.5% 14.7%
2000 17.6% 14.8%
1999 17.7% 15%
1998 17.7% 15.3%
1997 17.8% 15.7%
1996 17.9% 16.1%
1995 18% 16.6%
1994 18.1% 17.2%
1993 18.1% 17.8%
1992 18.2% 18.4%
1991 18.2% 19.1%
1990 18.1% 19.8%
1989 18.1% 20.5%
1988 18.2% 21.2%
1987 18.3% 21.9%
1986 18.6% 22.5%
1985 18.8% 23.2%
1984 19.1% 23.8%
1983 19.4% 24.4%
1982 19.6% 24.9%
1981 19.9% 25.5%
1980 20.3% 26%
1979 20.6% 26.4%
1978 21% 26.8%
1977 21.4% 27%
1976 21.8% 27.2%
1975 22.2% 27.3%
1974 22.6% 27.5%
1973 23% 27.7%
1972 23.3% 27.8%
1971 23.5% 27.8%
1970 23.6% 27.9%
1969 23.8% 27.8%
1968 23.9% 27.8%
1967 23.9% 27.7%
1966 24% 27.6%
1965 24% 27.5%
1964 23.9% 27.4%
1963 23.9% 27.4%
1962 23.8% 27.4%
1961 23.8% 27.4%
1960 23.7% 27.4%

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/spain | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population in Belgium and 12.9% in Spain in 2024, compared to 18.1% and 19.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Belgium and Spain compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Belgium vs Spain

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

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/spain | 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 Spain.

Under-five mortality rates

Belgium
Spain

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Belgium Spain
2023 0.36% 0.31%
2022 0.37% 0.31%
2021 0.38% 0.31%
2020 0.39% 0.32%
2019 0.39% 0.32%
2018 0.4% 0.32%
2017 0.4% 0.32%
2016 0.41% 0.33%
2015 0.41% 0.33%
2014 0.42% 0.34%
2013 0.42% 0.35%
2012 0.43% 0.36%
2011 0.44% 0.37%
2010 0.45% 0.38%
2009 0.46% 0.4%
2008 0.47% 0.42%
2007 0.48% 0.44%
2006 0.49% 0.45%
2005 0.5% 0.47%
2004 0.52% 0.49%
2003 0.53% 0.5%
2002 0.55% 0.51%
2001 0.57% 0.53%
2000 0.59% 0.54%
1999 0.61% 0.56%
1998 0.64% 0.58%
1997 0.67% 0.61%
1996 0.72% 0.65%
1995 0.77% 0.69%
1994 0.82% 0.74%
1993 0.87% 0.79%
1992 0.92% 0.83%
1991 0.96% 0.88%
1990 1% 0.92%
1989 1.03% 0.95%
1988 1.07% 0.99%
1987 1.1% 1.03%
1986 1.14% 1.07%
1985 1.18% 1.11%
1984 1.22% 1.17%
1983 1.27% 1.23%
1982 1.33% 1.3%
1981 1.39% 1.38%
1980 1.45% 1.49%
1979 1.52% 1.61%
1978 1.59% 1.74%
1977 1.67% 1.87%
1976 1.76% 2.02%
1975 1.86% 2.17%
1974 1.97% 2.33%
1973 2.08% 2.52%
1972 2.19% 2.72%
1971 2.3% 2.94%
1970 2.39% 3.16%
1969 2.48% 3.39%
1968 2.55% 3.61%
1967 2.62% 3.83%
1966 2.7% 4.03%
1965 2.79% 4.23%
1964 2.89% 4.45%
1963 3% 4.68%
1962 3.12% 4.94%
1961 3.25% 5.2%
1960 3.39% 5.47%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.36% in Belgium and 0.31% in Spain. 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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