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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Costa Rica

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 10.2 for Costa Rica. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 1.33 in Costa Rica — 70.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 80.2% in Costa Rica — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.71, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 145/196 for Costa Rica.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 28.6 in Costa Rica.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 26.3 in Costa Rica.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in Costa Rica.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Costa Rica by year

Benin
Costa Rica
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Costa Rica
2023 4.56 1.33
2022 4.63 1.34
2021 4.71 1.35
2020 4.8 1.45
2019 4.9 1.6
2018 5.03 1.71
2017 5.16 1.71
2016 5.25 1.75
2015 5.32 1.8
2014 5.37 1.8
2013 5.41 1.78
2012 5.43 1.85
2011 5.44 1.88
2010 5.45 1.83
2009 5.49 1.95
2008 5.55 1.98
2007 5.63 1.95
2006 5.67 1.94
2005 5.69 2.04
2004 5.72 2.03
2003 5.76 2.08
2002 5.79 2.16
2001 5.85 2.31
2000 5.94 2.41
1999 6.03 2.48
1998 6.14 2.53
1997 6.23 2.59
1996 6.28 2.68
1995 6.33 2.78
1994 6.42 2.86
1993 6.51 2.93
1992 6.59 3
1991 6.67 3.08
1990 6.74 3.17
1989 6.82 3.24
1988 6.87 3.31
1987 6.92 3.38
1986 6.96 3.45
1985 7 3.51
1984 7.03 3.52
1983 7.05 3.53
1982 7.06 3.54
1981 7.06 3.56
1980 6.99 3.58
1979 6.91 3.65
1978 6.82 3.66
1977 6.83 3.7
1976 6.83 3.75
1975 6.83 3.8
1974 6.82 3.89
1973 6.81 3.99
1972 6.8 4.16
1971 6.77 4.36
1970 6.74 4.59
1969 6.71 4.84
1968 6.67 5.03
1967 6.64 5.42
1966 6.63 5.7
1965 6.61 5.96
1964 6.57 6.19
1963 6.51 6.39
1962 6.46 6.54
1961 6.4 6.65
1960 6.28 6.71

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Benin was 4.56 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.33 in Costa Rica in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Benin vs Costa Rica population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Benin
Costa Rica
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Costa Rica
2023 353,933 24,109
2022 349,518 21,409
2021 341,103 20,119
2020 341,929 29,164
2019 339,817 37,682
2018 340,270 42,469
2017 339,763 43,471
2016 336,559 45,565
2015 330,573 49,077
2014 323,753 49,559
2013 315,804 49,227
2012 306,180 52,036
2011 296,348 52,884
2010 287,703 50,803
2009 280,204 55,757
2008 274,242 56,491
2007 271,305 55,244
2006 265,040 54,177
2005 253,795 57,139
2004 245,630 55,769
2003 237,962 56,743
2002 229,472 58,388
2001 222,877 62,199
2000 218,013 64,268
1999 213,074 64,922
1998 208,342 64,788
1997 203,182 64,954
1996 197,643 66,094
1995 194,481 67,585
1994 196,637 68,336
1993 179,858 69,016
1992 173,794 69,830
1991 168,174 70,506
1990 163,055 71,727
1989 157,235 72,327
1988 153,580 72,944
1987 147,783 73,188
1986 142,039 73,211
1985 136,621 72,776
1984 131,590 71,062
1983 126,349 68,972
1982 122,748 66,826
1981 118,634 64,632
1980 112,969 62,561
1979 106,782 60,984
1978 100,762 58,327
1977 97,200 56,122
1976 93,141 54,019
1975 89,350 51,979
1974 85,623 50,349
1973 82,422 48,943
1972 79,415 48,417
1971 76,034 48,341
1970 73,156 48,398
1969 70,155 48,790
1968 67,327 48,361
1967 64,709 50,193
1966 62,169 50,755
1965 60,154 51,196
1964 57,352 51,435
1963 54,514 51,403
1962 51,664 51,046
1961 48,838 50,149
1960 44,564 48,857

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | 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 +2.51% in Benin and +0.47% in Costa Rica.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +0.74% in Costa Rica.

Birth rate in Benin vs Costa Rica by year

Benin
Costa Rica

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Costa Rica
2023 33.9 10.2
2022 34.4 10.3
2021 34.8 10.5
2020 35.3 11.4
2019 36 12.7
2018 37 13.6
2017 37.8 13.8
2016 38.6 14.2
2015 39 14.7
2014 39.3 14.8
2013 39.6 14.8
2012 39.7 15.5
2011 39.7 15.8
2010 39.8 15.4
2009 40 16.5
2008 40.4 16.8
2007 41 16.6
2006 41.3 16.4
2005 41.1 17.3
2004 41.3 17.1
2003 41.5 17.6
2002 41.5 18.2
2001 41.7 19.4
2000 42.1 20.2
1999 42.5 20.7
1998 43 21
1997 43.4 21.5
1996 43.7 22.2
1995 44.4 23
1994 45.7 23.6
1993 44.1 24.3
1992 44.9 25
1991 45.4 25.7
1990 45.7 26.7
1989 46 27.5
1988 46.6 28.3
1987 46.9 29.1
1986 47.1 29.8
1985 47.3 30.4
1984 47.6 30.5
1983 47.7 30.5
1982 48 30.5
1981 48.2 30.4
1980 47.9 30.4
1979 47.4 30.5
1978 46.9 30.2
1977 47 30
1976 47.1 29.9
1975 47.1 29.8
1974 47.2 29.9
1973 47.3 30.1
1972 47.4 30.7
1971 47.5 31.6
1970 47.5 32.6
1969 47.5 33.8
1968 47.5 34.6
1967 47.5 36.8
1966 47.7 38.3
1965 47.7 39.9
1964 47.6 41.4
1963 47.4 42.7
1962 47.1 43.9
1961 46.7 44.8
1960 45.8 45.5

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 10.2 in Costa Rica, compared with 45.8 and 45.5, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Costa Rica
Fertility rate 4.56 1.33
Fertility rate rank 14/196 171/196
Birth rate 33.9 10.2
Birth rate rank 14/196 145/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +24,109
Natural population change rank 49/196 105/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +0.47%
Population growth +2.49% +0.48%
Population growth rank 27/197 138/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 29 years 28.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 22.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 65.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 13.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 25.9%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 70%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 99%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 0.72%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 0.92%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 1.05%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 81.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Costa Rica
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Costa Rica
2100 22.4% 10.3%
2099 22.5% 10.3%
2098 22.7% 10.3%
2097 22.8% 10.3%
2096 23% 10.3%
2095 23.1% 10.4%
2094 23.3% 10.4%
2093 23.4% 10.4%
2092 23.6% 10.4%
2091 23.8% 10.4%
2090 23.9% 10.5%
2089 24.1% 10.5%
2088 24.3% 10.5%
2087 24.5% 10.5%
2086 24.7% 10.5%
2085 24.8% 10.5%
2084 25% 10.5%
2083 25.2% 10.6%
2082 25.4% 10.6%
2081 25.6% 10.5%
2080 25.8% 10.5%
2079 26% 10.5%
2078 26.2% 10.5%
2077 26.4% 10.5%
2076 26.6% 10.5%
2075 26.8% 10.5%
2074 27% 10.5%
2073 27.2% 10.5%
2072 27.4% 10.5%
2071 27.6% 10.5%
2070 27.8% 10.5%
2069 28% 10.6%
2068 28.2% 10.6%
2067 28.4% 10.7%
2066 28.7% 10.8%
2065 28.9% 10.8%
2064 29.2% 10.9%
2063 29.4% 11%
2062 29.7% 11.2%
2061 30% 11.3%
2060 30.3% 11.4%
2059 30.6% 11.5%
2058 30.9% 11.7%
2057 31.2% 11.8%
2056 31.5% 11.9%
2055 31.8% 12.1%
2054 32.1% 12.2%
2053 32.4% 12.3%
2052 32.7% 12.4%
2051 33% 12.6%
2050 33.3% 12.7%
2049 33.5% 12.8%
2048 33.8% 12.9%
2047 34.1% 13%
2046 34.3% 13%
2045 34.6% 13.1%
2044 34.9% 13.2%
2043 35.2% 13.3%
2042 35.4% 13.4%
2041 35.7% 13.5%
2040 36% 13.5%
2039 36.3% 13.6%
2038 36.7% 13.7%
2037 37% 13.9%
2036 37.3% 14%
2035 37.6% 14.2%
2034 38% 14.5%
2033 38.4% 14.9%
2032 38.8% 15.3%
2031 39.2% 15.7%
2030 39.6% 16.2%
2029 40% 16.7%
2028 40.4% 17.1%
2027 40.8% 17.6%
2026 41.1% 18.1%
2025 41.4% 18.5%
2024 41.6% 18.8%
2023 41.8% 19.3%
2022 42.1% 19.8%
2021 42.4% 20.3%
2020 42.7% 20.7%
2019 42.9% 21.1%
2018 43.1% 21.4%
2017 43.2% 21.8%
2016 43.3% 22.1%
2015 43.4% 22.5%
2014 43.5% 23%
2013 43.6% 23.4%
2012 43.7% 23.9%
2011 43.8% 24.3%
2010 43.9% 24.9%
2009 44.1% 25.4%
2008 44.3% 25.9%
2007 44.4% 26.5%
2006 44.4% 27.1%
2005 44.6% 27.7%
2004 44.8% 28.4%
2003 44.9% 29.1%
2002 45.1% 29.8%
2001 45.3% 30.5%
2000 45.4% 31.1%
1999 45.6% 31.8%
1998 45.8% 32.4%
1997 45.9% 33%
1996 46% 33.6%
1995 45.9% 34.1%
1994 45.5% 34.6%
1993 45.7% 35%
1992 46.2% 35.4%
1991 46.2% 35.7%
1990 46.1% 36%
1989 46.1% 36.1%
1988 46.1% 36.2%
1987 46% 36.2%
1986 45.9% 36.3%
1985 45.8% 36.3%
1984 45.7% 36.4%
1983 45.6% 36.5%
1982 45.5% 36.7%
1981 45.3% 37.1%
1980 45.2% 37.5%
1979 45.1% 38%
1978 45% 38.6%
1977 44.8% 39.2%
1976 44.7% 40%
1975 44.5% 40.8%
1974 44.3% 41.5%
1973 44.1% 42.3%
1972 43.8% 43.1%
1971 43.5% 43.8%
1970 43.2% 44.4%
1969 42.8% 45%
1968 42.5% 45.5%
1967 42.1% 45.9%
1966 41.6% 46.3%
1965 41.2% 46.5%
1964 40.8% 46.6%
1963 40.3% 46.7%
1962 39.9% 46.7%
1961 39.5% 46.6%
1960 39.1% 46.4%

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/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 18.8% in Costa Rica in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 36% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Costa Rica compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Costa Rica

Benin
Costa Rica
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Costa Rica
2023 518 24
2022 547 27
2021 584 44
2020 578 34
2019 572 26
2018 585 28
2017 592 27
2016 604 27
2015 606 26
2014 605 27
2013 607 27
2012 618 27
2011 613 28
2010 607 29
2009 598 29
2008 563 30
2007 501 30
2006 509 30
2005 514 31
2004 531 33
2003 532 33
2002 534 34
2001 532 35
2000 529 36
1999 536 36
1998 547 37
1997 556 38
1996 576 39
1995 586 39
1994 605 39
1993 591 39
1992 625 39
1991 666 39
1990 692 40
1989 732 40
1988 765 40
1987 817 41
1986 858 42
1985 910 43

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 518 deaths per 100,000 live births in Benin, compared to 24 deaths in Costa Rica.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Costa Rica

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Costa Rica
2023 7.79% 1.05%
2022 8.04% 1.01%
2021 8.31% 0.97%
2020 8.55% 0.94%
2019 8.8% 0.91%
2018 9.05% 0.89%
2017 9.27% 0.89%
2016 9.5% 0.89%
2015 9.71% 0.9%
2014 9.93% 0.92%
2013 10.2% 0.95%
2012 10.4% 0.98%
2011 10.6% 1.02%
2010 10.8% 1.05%
2009 11.1% 1.07%
2008 11.3% 1.09%
2007 11.5% 1.11%
2006 11.8% 1.12%
2005 12.1% 1.13%
2004 12.4% 1.15%
2003 12.7% 1.18%
2002 13% 1.22%
2001 13.3% 1.26%
2000 13.6% 1.31%
1999 13.9% 1.36%
1998 14.3% 1.41%
1997 14.6% 1.45%
1996 14.9% 1.47%
1995 15.2% 1.49%
1994 15.6% 1.51%
1993 16% 1.53%
1992 16.4% 1.57%
1991 16.8% 1.62%
1990 17.2% 1.69%
1989 17.6% 1.78%
1988 18% 1.89%
1987 18.4% 2.01%
1986 18.8% 2.12%
1985 19.2% 2.2%
1984 19.6% 2.25%
1983 20% 2.27%
1982 20.4% 2.29%
1981 20.8% 2.33%
1980 21.2% 2.45%
1979 21.6% 2.65%
1978 22.1% 2.96%
1977 22.6% 3.39%
1976 23.1% 3.93%
1975 23.7% 4.54%
1974 24.2% 5.17%
1973 24.7% 5.82%
1972 25.2% 6.45%
1971 25.7% 7.02%
1970 26.1% 7.48%
1969 26.6% 7.85%
1968 27% 8.17%
1967 27.5% 8.49%
1966 28% 8.78%
1965 28.5% 9.02%
1964 29.1% 9.18%
1963 29.6% 9.25%
1962 30.2% 9.27%
1961 30.7% 9.36%
1960 31.2% 9.62%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/costa-rica | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 1.05% in Costa Rica. 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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