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Fertility & birth rates in Belgium and Zimbabwe

Updated on by Georank team

Belgium has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 30.4 for Zimbabwe. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.47 in Belgium and 3.72 in Zimbabwe — 153.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 42.1% in Belgium and by 48.2% in Zimbabwe — in 1960, it was 2.54 and 7.2, respectively.

  • Belgium is ranked 155/196 by birth rate compared to 31/196 for Zimbabwe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 29.5 years in Belgium, compared to 20.3 years in Zimbabwe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.3 in Belgium — it's 28.1 in Zimbabwe.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 3.67 in Belgium vs 98.1 in Zimbabwe.
  • In Belgium, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.5% in Zimbabwe.

Fertility rate in Belgium vs Zimbabwe by year

Belgium
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Belgium Zimbabwe
2023 1.47 3.72
2022 1.53 3.77
2021 1.6 3.77
2020 1.55 3.75
2019 1.6 3.75
2018 1.62 3.74
2017 1.65 3.77
2016 1.68 3.83
2015 1.7 3.91
2014 1.74 4.01
2013 1.76 4.11
2012 1.8 4.13
2011 1.81 4.13
2010 1.86 4.04
2009 1.84 3.95
2008 1.85 3.78
2007 1.82 3.68
2006 1.8 3.64
2005 1.76 3.69
2004 1.72 3.78
2003 1.67 3.86
2002 1.65 3.93
2001 1.67 3.98
2000 1.67 4.01
1999 1.62 4.06
1998 1.6 4.07
1997 1.6 4.08
1996 1.59 4.11
1995 1.56 4.15
1994 1.56 4.28
1993 1.61 4.39
1992 1.65 4.57
1991 1.66 4.72
1990 1.62 4.88
1989 1.58 5.07
1988 1.57 5.28
1987 1.54 5.5
1986 1.54 5.69
1985 1.51 5.87
1984 1.54 6.04
1983 1.57 6.2
1982 1.61 6.33
1981 1.66 6.45
1980 1.68 6.52
1979 1.69 6.59
1978 1.69 6.66
1977 1.71 6.71
1976 1.73 6.77
1975 1.74 6.83
1974 1.83 6.88
1973 1.95 6.94
1972 2.09 6.94
1971 2.21 6.94
1970 2.25 6.98
1969 2.27 7.04
1968 2.31 7.11
1967 2.41 7.16
1966 2.52 7.2
1965 2.61 7.23
1964 2.71 7.23
1963 2.68 7.23
1962 2.59 7.23
1961 2.63 7.21
1960 2.54 7.2

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/zimbabwe | 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 3.72 in Zimbabwe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Belgium
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Natural population change
Belgium Zimbabwe
2023 0 372,505
2022 -2,336 371,243
2021 5,793 349,908
2020 -12,692 354,790
2019 8,042 348,798
2018 7,999 345,883
2017 10,238 344,035
2016 14,731 348,772
2015 11,274 356,203
2014 21,297 366,350
2013 16,739 374,757
2012 18,882 371,135
2011 25,388 359,572
2010 23,970 335,570
2009 23,752 309,316
2008 22,491 280,527
2007 23,376 261,805
2006 21,096 248,963
2005 15,718 248,545
2004 16,673 248,307
2003 7,263 243,057
2002 7,233 244,170
2001 11,315 227,909
2000 12,302 236,343
1999 9,203 232,393
1998 9,183 225,614
1997 12,218 216,288
1996 12,188 205,269
1995 11,150 206,695
1994 12,139 216,343
1993 14,118 228,045
1992 20,090 255,291
1991 22,010 260,943
1990 19,935 265,444
1989 13,912 270,838
1988 14,853 277,498
1987 11,844 286,766
1986 5,917 289,894
1985 2,958 290,756
1984 4,927 290,052
1983 2,956 286,545
1982 7,885 279,934
1981 11,831 271,361
1980 10,845 241,179
1979 11,818 223,657
1978 7,872 222,979
1977 8,847 225,139
1976 1,964 221,419
1975 0 216,947
1974 7,818 208,806
1973 11,690 201,885
1972 18,451 193,725
1971 21,281 185,427
1970 23,173 178,979
1969 21,221 172,626
1968 20,199 166,865
1967 31,618 161,205
1966 36,206 156,014
1965 39,748 151,164
1964 51,580 145,848
1963 41,804 140,984
1962 42,414 136,317
1961 52,349 131,531
1960 40,275 126,959

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/zimbabwe | 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 +2.28% in Zimbabwe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.06% in Belgium and +2.34% in Zimbabwe.

Birth rate in Belgium vs Zimbabwe by year

Belgium
Zimbabwe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Belgium Zimbabwe
2023 9.4 30.4
2022 9.8 30.9
2021 10.2 30.9
2020 9.9 31
2019 10.2 31.1
2018 10.4 31.3
2017 10.5 31.8
2016 10.8 32.7
2015 10.8 33.9
2014 11.2 35.4
2013 11.3 37
2012 11.5 37.8
2011 11.7 38.1
2010 11.9 37.9
2009 11.8 37.5
2008 11.9 36.4
2007 11.7 35.7
2006 11.6 35.2
2005 11.4 35.8
2004 11.3 36.3
2003 11 36.6
2002 10.9 36.5
2001 11.2 36.5
2000 11.4 36.1
1999 11.2 35.6
1998 11.2 34.5
1997 11.4 33.4
1996 11.5 32.4
1995 11.4 31.7
1994 11.5 32
1993 12 32.4
1992 12.4 34.3
1991 12.6 34.9
1990 12.4 35.5
1989 12.2 36.4
1988 12.1 37.7
1987 11.9 39.5
1986 11.9 40.9
1985 11.6 42.3
1984 11.7 43.7
1983 11.9 45
1982 12.2 45.7
1981 12.6 46.3
1980 12.6 44.8
1979 12.6 46.3
1978 12.5 46.8
1977 12.4 46.5
1976 12.3 46.5
1975 12.2 46.6
1974 12.7 46.4
1973 13.3 46.4
1972 14 46
1971 14.6 45.6
1970 14.7 45.5
1969 14.7 45.5
1968 14.8 45.7
1967 15.3 45.8
1966 15.9 46.1
1965 16.4 46.4
1964 17.2 46.6
1963 17.1 46.8
1962 16.8 47.1
1961 17.3 47.3
1960 16.8 47.5

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Belgium and 30.4 in Zimbabwe, compared with 16.8 and 47.5, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Belgium Zimbabwe
Fertility rate 1.47 3.72
Fertility rate rank 151/196 36/196
Birth rate 9.4 30.4
Birth rate rank 155/196 31/196
Population change due to births and deaths +0 +372,505
Natural population change rank 157/196 45/196
Natural population change rate +0% +2.28%
Population growth +0.67% +1.8%
Population growth rank 119/197 60/197
Age at first childbirth 29.5 years 20.3 years
Average age at childbearing 31.3 years 28.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 3.31 93.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 55.1 176.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 15.4 47.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 26.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 65.4% 65.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.3% 86%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.36%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.21% 2.24%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.3% 4.06%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.36% 4.42%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 63.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Belgium
Factual

UN forecast
Zimbabwe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Belgium Zimbabwe
2100 12.8% 20.3%
2099 12.8% 20.5%
2098 12.9% 20.6%
2097 12.9% 20.8%
2096 12.9% 20.9%
2095 13% 21.1%
2094 13% 21.3%
2093 13.1% 21.4%
2092 13.1% 21.6%
2091 13.2% 21.8%
2090 13.2% 22%
2089 13.2% 22.2%
2088 13.3% 22.4%
2087 13.3% 22.6%
2086 13.3% 22.8%
2085 13.3% 23%
2084 13.3% 23.2%
2083 13.3% 23.4%
2082 13.3% 23.6%
2081 13.3% 23.8%
2080 13.2% 24%
2079 13.2% 24.2%
2078 13.2% 24.4%
2077 13.1% 24.6%
2076 13.1% 24.9%
2075 13% 25.1%
2074 13% 25.3%
2073 12.9% 25.5%
2072 12.9% 25.7%
2071 12.9% 25.9%
2070 12.9% 26.2%
2069 12.9% 26.4%
2068 12.9% 26.6%
2067 13% 26.8%
2066 13% 27.1%
2065 13.1% 27.3%
2064 13.1% 27.6%
2063 13.2% 27.8%
2062 13.3% 28.1%
2061 13.4% 28.4%
2060 13.5% 28.7%
2059 13.6% 29%
2058 13.7% 29.3%
2057 13.7% 29.6%
2056 13.8% 30%
2055 13.9% 30.3%
2054 13.9% 30.6%
2053 13.9% 31%
2052 14% 31.3%
2051 14% 31.7%
2050 13.9% 32%
2049 13.9% 32.4%
2048 13.8% 32.7%
2047 13.8% 33.1%
2046 13.7% 33.4%
2045 13.7% 33.7%
2044 13.6% 34%
2043 13.5% 34.2%
2042 13.4% 34.5%
2041 13.4% 34.7%
2040 13.3% 34.9%
2039 13.3% 35.2%
2038 13.3% 35.4%
2037 13.3% 35.7%
2036 13.5% 35.9%
2035 13.6% 36.2%
2034 13.7% 36.4%
2033 13.9% 36.6%
2032 14.1% 36.9%
2031 14.3% 37.2%
2030 14.5% 37.6%
2029 14.7% 38.1%
2028 15% 38.7%
2027 15.3% 39.3%
2026 15.6% 40%
2025 15.9% 40.6%
2024 16% 40.9%
2023 16.3% 41.3%
2022 16.5% 41.6%
2021 16.7% 41.9%
2020 16.8% 42.2%
2019 16.9% 42.5%
2018 16.9% 42.9%
2017 17% 43.3%
2016 17% 43.6%
2015 17% 43.8%
2014 17% 43.9%
2013 17% 43.9%
2012 17% 43.7%
2011 17% 43.4%
2010 16.9% 43%
2009 16.9% 42.7%
2008 16.9% 42.4%
2007 16.9% 42.1%
2006 17% 42%
2005 17.1% 41.9%
2004 17.2% 41.7%
2003 17.3% 41.5%
2002 17.5% 41.4%
2001 17.5% 41.5%
2000 17.6% 41.9%
1999 17.7% 42.4%
1998 17.7% 43.1%
1997 17.8% 44%
1996 17.9% 45%
1995 18% 45.9%
1994 18.1% 46.6%
1993 18.1% 47.1%
1992 18.2% 46.8%
1991 18.2% 46.6%
1990 18.1% 47.1%
1989 18.1% 47.6%
1988 18.2% 47.9%
1987 18.3% 47.9%
1986 18.6% 47.9%
1985 18.8% 48%
1984 19.1% 48.1%
1983 19.4% 48.2%
1982 19.6% 48.3%
1981 19.9% 48.4%
1980 20.3% 48.7%
1979 20.6% 48.8%
1978 21% 48.5%
1977 21.4% 48.3%
1976 21.8% 48.2%
1975 22.2% 48.1%
1974 22.6% 48.1%
1973 23% 48.1%
1972 23.3% 48.2%
1971 23.5% 48.2%
1970 23.6% 48.3%
1969 23.8% 48.4%
1968 23.9% 48.5%
1967 23.9% 48.5%
1966 24% 48.6%
1965 24% 48.7%
1964 23.9% 48.8%
1963 23.9% 48.5%
1962 23.8% 48.1%
1961 23.8% 47.7%
1960 23.7% 47.3%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16% of the population in Belgium and 40.9% in Zimbabwe in 2024, compared to 18.1% and 47.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Belgium and Zimbabwe compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Belgium vs Zimbabwe

Belgium
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Belgium Zimbabwe
2023 4 358
2022 11 368
2021 7 446
2020 4 380
2019 4 388
2018 5 386
2017 5 389
2016 5 411
2015 5 428
2014 5 468
2013 6 525
2012 5 558
2011 6 564
2010 6 567
2009 6 540
2008 6 526
2007 7 519
2006 6 480
2005 7 454
2004 7 451
2003 7 455
2002 7 418
2001 8 467
2000 8 405
1999 8 399
1998 8 368
1997 8 357
1996 9 352
1995 9 332
1994 9 332
1993 9 331
1992 9 333
1991 9 332
1990 9 353
1989 9 382
1988 9 431
1987 9 480
1986 9 525
1985 9 573

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/belgium/zimbabwe | 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 358 deaths in Zimbabwe.

Under-five mortality rates

Belgium
Zimbabwe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Belgium Zimbabwe
2023 0.36% 4.42%
2022 0.37% 4.6%
2021 0.38% 4.76%
2020 0.39% 5.01%
2019 0.39% 5.11%
2018 0.4% 5.23%
2017 0.4% 5.5%
2016 0.41% 5.69%
2015 0.41% 5.98%
2014 0.42% 6.18%
2013 0.42% 6.55%
2012 0.43% 7.14%
2011 0.44% 7.88%
2010 0.45% 8.5%
2009 0.46% 9.03%
2008 0.47% 9.34%
2007 0.48% 9.47%
2006 0.49% 9.4%
2005 0.5% 9.23%
2004 0.52% 9.17%
2003 0.53% 8.85%
2002 0.55% 8.48%
2001 0.57% 9.79%
2000 0.59% 9.83%
1999 0.61% 9.92%
1998 0.64% 10%
1997 0.67% 10.1%
1996 0.72% 10%
1995 0.77% 9.83%
1994 0.82% 9.52%
1993 0.87% 9.16%
1992 0.92% 8.73%
1991 0.96% 8.33%
1990 1% 7.97%
1989 1.03% 7.69%
1988 1.07% 7.55%
1987 1.1% 7.61%
1986 1.14% 7.86%
1985 1.18% 8.31%
1984 1.22% 8.87%
1983 1.27% 9.5%
1982 1.33% 10.1%
1981 1.39% 10.7%
1980 1.45% 11.1%
1979 1.52% 11.3%
1978 1.59% 11.5%
1977 1.67% 11.5%
1976 1.76% 11.5%
1975 1.86% 11.4%
1974 1.97% 11.4%
1973 2.08% 11.4%
1972 2.19% 11.5%
1971 2.3% 11.5%
1970 2.39% 11.7%
1969 2.48% 11.8%
1968 2.55% 12.1%
1967 2.62% 12.4%
1966 2.7% 12.7%
1965 2.79% 13.1%
1964 2.89% 13.5%
1963 3% 14%
1962 3.12% 14.4%
1961 3.25% 14.8%
1960 3.39% 15.2%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.36% in Belgium and 4.42% in Zimbabwe. 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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