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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and DR Congo

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 41.3 for the DR Congo. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 6.05 in the DR Congo — 32.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 0.88% in the DR Congo — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.11, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 5/196 for the DR Congo.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 19.9 years in the DR Congo.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 30.1 in the DR Congo.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 106.9 in the DR Congo.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 22.3% in the DR Congo.

Fertility rate in Benin vs DR Congo by year

Benin
DR Congo
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin DR Congo
2023 4.56 6.05
2022 4.63 6.11
2021 4.71 6.16
2020 4.8 6.21
2019 4.9 6.25
2018 5.03 6.3
2017 5.16 6.35
2016 5.25 6.39
2015 5.32 6.44
2014 5.37 6.48
2013 5.41 6.53
2012 5.43 6.56
2011 5.44 6.58
2010 5.45 6.59
2009 5.49 6.59
2008 5.55 6.58
2007 5.63 6.56
2006 5.67 6.55
2005 5.69 6.53
2004 5.72 6.53
2003 5.76 6.55
2002 5.79 6.61
2001 5.85 6.66
2000 5.94 6.7
1999 6.03 6.69
1998 6.14 6.7
1997 6.23 6.69
1996 6.28 6.67
1995 6.33 6.68
1994 6.42 6.64
1993 6.51 6.64
1992 6.59 6.64
1991 6.67 6.65
1990 6.74 6.65
1989 6.82 6.65
1988 6.87 6.66
1987 6.92 6.65
1986 6.96 6.63
1985 7 6.61
1984 7.03 6.59
1983 7.05 6.56
1982 7.06 6.54
1981 7.06 6.52
1980 6.99 6.5
1979 6.91 6.48
1978 6.82 6.46
1977 6.83 6.45
1976 6.83 6.44
1975 6.83 6.42
1974 6.82 6.4
1973 6.81 6.39
1972 6.8 6.37
1971 6.77 6.34
1970 6.74 6.33
1969 6.71 6.3
1968 6.67 6.29
1967 6.64 6.27
1966 6.63 6.24
1965 6.61 6.21
1964 6.57 6.19
1963 6.51 6.16
1962 6.46 6.14
1961 6.4 6.12
1960 6.28 6.11

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | 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 6.05 in the DR Congo in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Benin vs the DR Congo population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Benin
DR Congo
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin DR Congo
2023 353,933 3,467,787
2022 349,518 3,347,664
2021 341,103 3,227,992
2020 341,929 3,156,152
2019 339,817 3,075,538
2018 340,270 2,993,184
2017 339,763 2,883,245
2016 336,559 2,753,687
2015 330,573 2,665,016
2014 323,753 2,580,251
2013 315,804 2,489,378
2012 306,180 2,405,462
2011 296,348 2,310,679
2010 287,703 2,212,255
2009 280,204 2,126,912
2008 274,242 2,044,210
2007 271,305 1,963,738
2006 265,040 1,889,398
2005 253,795 1,800,300
2004 245,630 1,731,022
2003 237,962 1,679,188
2002 229,472 1,631,597
2001 222,877 1,594,999
2000 218,013 1,549,518
1999 213,074 1,450,318
1998 208,342 1,375,130
1997 203,182 1,392,037
1996 197,643 1,380,490
1995 194,481 1,395,440
1994 196,637 1,259,539
1993 179,858 1,209,242
1992 173,794 1,152,781
1991 168,174 1,114,033
1990 163,055 1,063,508
1989 157,235 1,027,238
1988 153,580 995,278
1987 147,783 959,875
1986 142,039 925,334
1985 136,621 885,670
1984 131,590 844,956
1983 126,349 807,122
1982 122,748 774,823
1981 118,634 748,371
1980 112,969 724,111
1979 106,782 691,773
1978 100,762 646,411
1977 97,200 638,242
1976 93,141 624,147
1975 89,350 608,655
1974 85,623 593,539
1973 82,422 578,280
1972 79,415 564,495
1971 76,034 549,343
1970 73,156 533,300
1969 70,155 514,800
1968 67,327 497,682
1967 64,709 479,552
1966 62,169 463,397
1965 60,154 429,002
1964 57,352 406,334
1963 54,514 398,972
1962 51,664 383,406
1961 48,838 368,207
1960 44,564 363,517

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | 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 +3.28% in the DR Congo.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +3.29% in the DR Congo.

Birth rate in Benin vs DR Congo by year

Benin
DR Congo

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin DR Congo
2023 33.9 41.3
2022 34.4 41.6
2021 34.8 41.9
2020 35.3 42.2
2019 36 42.5
2018 37 42.9
2017 37.8 43
2016 38.6 42.9
2015 39 43.2
2014 39.3 43.5
2013 39.6 43.7
2012 39.7 44
2011 39.7 44
2010 39.8 43.9
2009 40 44
2008 40.4 44
2007 41 44
2006 41.3 44
2005 41.1 43.7
2004 41.3 43.8
2003 41.5 44.2
2002 41.5 44.6
2001 41.7 45
2000 42.1 45.3
1999 42.5 45.2
1998 43 44.9
1997 43.4 46
1996 43.7 47
1995 44.4 47.2
1994 45.7 45.3
1993 44.1 45.9
1992 44.9 45.7
1991 45.4 46
1990 45.7 45.9
1989 46 46.1
1988 46.6 46.4
1987 46.9 46.5
1986 47.1 46.6
1985 47.3 46.5
1984 47.6 46.2
1983 47.7 46.1
1982 48 46
1981 48.2 46.1
1980 47.9 46.1
1979 47.4 45.8
1978 46.9 45.4
1977 47 45.9
1976 47.1 46.2
1975 47.1 46.4
1974 47.2 46.6
1973 47.3 46.9
1972 47.4 47.1
1971 47.5 47.4
1970 47.5 47.6
1969 47.5 47.7
1968 47.5 47.8
1967 47.5 47.9
1966 47.7 47.9
1965 47.7 47.8
1964 47.6 47.7
1963 47.4 47.5
1962 47.1 47.4
1961 46.7 47.2
1960 45.8 47.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 41.3 in the DR Congo, compared with 45.8 and 47.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin DR Congo
Fertility rate 4.56 6.05
Fertility rate rank 14/196 4/196
Birth rate 33.9 41.3
Birth rate rank 14/196 5/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +3,467,787
Natural population change rank 49/196 4/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +3.28%
Population growth +2.49% +3.3%
Population growth rank 27/197 11/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 19.9 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 30.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 103.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 244.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 106.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 22.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 17.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 85.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.43%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 2.53%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 4.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 7.32%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 62.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin DR Congo
2100 22.4% 23.4%
2099 22.5% 23.6%
2098 22.7% 23.8%
2097 22.8% 24%
2096 23% 24.2%
2095 23.1% 24.4%
2094 23.3% 24.6%
2093 23.4% 24.8%
2092 23.6% 25%
2091 23.8% 25.2%
2090 23.9% 25.4%
2089 24.1% 25.6%
2088 24.3% 25.8%
2087 24.5% 26.1%
2086 24.7% 26.3%
2085 24.8% 26.5%
2084 25% 26.8%
2083 25.2% 27%
2082 25.4% 27.2%
2081 25.6% 27.5%
2080 25.8% 27.8%
2079 26% 28%
2078 26.2% 28.3%
2077 26.4% 28.6%
2076 26.6% 28.9%
2075 26.8% 29.2%
2074 27% 29.5%
2073 27.2% 29.8%
2072 27.4% 30.1%
2071 27.6% 30.4%
2070 27.8% 30.7%
2069 28% 31.1%
2068 28.2% 31.4%
2067 28.4% 31.7%
2066 28.7% 32.1%
2065 28.9% 32.4%
2064 29.2% 32.8%
2063 29.4% 33.1%
2062 29.7% 33.5%
2061 30% 33.8%
2060 30.3% 34.1%
2059 30.6% 34.5%
2058 30.9% 34.8%
2057 31.2% 35.1%
2056 31.5% 35.5%
2055 31.8% 35.8%
2054 32.1% 36.1%
2053 32.4% 36.5%
2052 32.7% 36.8%
2051 33% 37.1%
2050 33.3% 37.5%
2049 33.5% 37.8%
2048 33.8% 38.2%
2047 34.1% 38.6%
2046 34.3% 39%
2045 34.6% 39.4%
2044 34.9% 39.8%
2043 35.2% 40.2%
2042 35.4% 40.6%
2041 35.7% 41.1%
2040 36% 41.5%
2039 36.3% 42%
2038 36.7% 42.4%
2037 37% 42.8%
2036 37.3% 43.2%
2035 37.6% 43.6%
2034 38% 44%
2033 38.4% 44.3%
2032 38.8% 44.6%
2031 39.2% 44.9%
2030 39.6% 45.2%
2029 40% 45.4%
2028 40.4% 45.6%
2027 40.8% 45.8%
2026 41.1% 45.9%
2025 41.4% 46%
2024 41.6% 46%
2023 41.8% 46.1%
2022 42.1% 46.1%
2021 42.4% 46.1%
2020 42.7% 46.1%
2019 42.9% 46%
2018 43.1% 45.9%
2017 43.2% 45.8%
2016 43.3% 45.9%
2015 43.4% 46%
2014 43.5% 46%
2013 43.6% 46%
2012 43.7% 46%
2011 43.8% 46%
2010 43.9% 46.1%
2009 44.1% 46.1%
2008 44.3% 46%
2007 44.4% 46%
2006 44.4% 45.9%
2005 44.6% 45.9%
2004 44.8% 45.9%
2003 44.9% 45.8%
2002 45.1% 45.7%
2001 45.3% 45.7%
2000 45.4% 45.7%
1999 45.6% 45.6%
1998 45.8% 45.6%
1997 45.9% 45.4%
1996 46% 44.7%
1995 45.9% 44%
1994 45.5% 44.1%
1993 45.7% 44.5%
1992 46.2% 44.5%
1991 46.2% 44.4%
1990 46.1% 44.4%
1989 46.1% 44.3%
1988 46.1% 44.3%
1987 46% 44.2%
1986 45.9% 44.1%
1985 45.8% 44.1%
1984 45.7% 44.1%
1983 45.6% 44.2%
1982 45.5% 44.3%
1981 45.3% 44.3%
1980 45.2% 44.2%
1979 45.1% 44.3%
1978 45% 44.5%
1977 44.8% 44.6%
1976 44.7% 44.5%
1975 44.5% 44.3%
1974 44.3% 44.2%
1973 44.1% 44%
1972 43.8% 43.8%
1971 43.5% 43.6%
1970 43.2% 43.4%
1969 42.8% 43.3%
1968 42.5% 43.2%
1967 42.1% 43%
1966 41.6% 42.9%
1965 41.2% 42.8%
1964 40.8% 42.7%
1963 40.3% 42.7%
1962 39.9% 42.7%
1961 39.5% 42.8%
1960 39.1% 42.9%

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/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 46% in the DR Congo in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 44.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and the DR Congo compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs DR Congo

Benin
DR Congo
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin DR Congo
2023 518 427
2022 547 456
2021 584 507
2020 578 489
2019 572 493
2018 585 508
2017 592 519
2016 604 526
2015 606 545
2014 605 558
2013 607 567
2012 618 578
2011 613 589
2010 607 601
2009 598 608
2008 563 620
2007 501 631
2006 509 619
2005 514 613
2004 531 607
2003 532 605
2002 534 601
2001 532 588
2000 529 585
1999 536 601
1998 547 605
1997 556 617
1996 576 661
1995 586 644
1994 605 656
1993 591 683
1992 625 709
1991 666 735
1990 692 755
1989 732 791
1988 765 824
1987 817 863
1986 858 902
1985 910 934

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | 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 427 deaths in the DR Congo.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
DR Congo

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin DR Congo
2023 7.79% 7.32%
2022 8.04% 7.57%
2021 8.31% 7.81%
2020 8.55% 8.07%
2019 8.8% 8.35%
2018 9.05% 8.63%
2017 9.27% 8.93%
2016 9.5% 9.23%
2015 9.71% 9.56%
2014 9.93% 9.9%
2013 10.2% 10.3%
2012 10.4% 10.6%
2011 10.6% 11%
2010 10.8% 11.4%
2009 11.1% 11.8%
2008 11.3% 12.2%
2007 11.5% 12.7%
2006 11.8% 13.1%
2005 12.1% 13.6%
2004 12.4% 14.1%
2003 12.7% 14.6%
2002 13% 15%
2001 13.3% 15.5%
2000 13.6% 15.9%
1999 13.9% 16.3%
1998 14.3% 16.7%
1997 14.6% 17%
1996 14.9% 17.3%
1995 15.2% 17.5%
1994 15.6% 17.7%
1993 16% 17.9%
1992 16.4% 18.1%
1991 16.8% 18.3%
1990 17.2% 18.5%
1989 17.6% 18.8%
1988 18% 19%
1987 18.4% 19.2%
1986 18.8% 19.5%
1985 19.2% 19.7%
1984 19.6% 20%
1983 20% 20.3%
1982 20.4% 20.6%
1981 20.8% 20.9%
1980 21.2% 21.2%
1979 21.6% 21.5%
1978 22.1% 21.9%
1977 22.6% 22.3%
1976 23.1% 22.6%
1975 23.7% 23%
1974 24.2% 23.4%
1973 24.7% 23.7%
1972 25.2% 24%
1971 25.7% 24.3%
1970 26.1% 24.7%
1969 26.6% 25.1%
1968 27% -
1967 27.5% -
1966 28% -
1965 28.5% -
1964 29.1% -
1963 29.6% -
1962 30.2% -
1961 30.7% -
1960 31.2% -

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 7.32% in the DR Congo. 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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