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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Gabon

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 27.7 for Gabon. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 3.65 in Gabon — 20% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 17.5% in Gabon — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 4.42, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 42/196 for Gabon.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 19.6 years in Gabon.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 28.5 in Gabon.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 91.7 in Gabon.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.6% in Gabon.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Gabon by year

Benin
Gabon
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Gabon
2023 4.56 3.65
2022 4.63 3.71
2021 4.71 3.78
2020 4.8 3.83
2019 4.9 3.88
2018 5.03 3.91
2017 5.16 3.91
2016 5.25 3.92
2015 5.32 3.92
2014 5.37 3.95
2013 5.41 4.02
2012 5.43 4.09
2011 5.44 4.15
2010 5.45 4.15
2009 5.49 4.14
2008 5.55 4.12
2007 5.63 4.14
2006 5.67 4.17
2005 5.69 4.21
2004 5.72 4.25
2003 5.76 4.3
2002 5.79 4.36
2001 5.85 4.42
2000 5.94 4.47
1999 6.03 4.5
1998 6.14 4.58
1997 6.23 4.66
1996 6.28 4.74
1995 6.33 4.88
1994 6.42 5.04
1993 6.51 5.19
1992 6.59 5.29
1991 6.67 5.37
1990 6.74 5.46
1989 6.82 5.55
1988 6.87 5.62
1987 6.92 5.67
1986 6.96 5.69
1985 7 5.71
1984 7.03 5.73
1983 7.05 5.76
1982 7.06 5.74
1981 7.06 5.73
1980 6.99 5.66
1979 6.91 5.61
1978 6.82 5.57
1977 6.83 5.52
1976 6.83 5.46
1975 6.83 5.39
1974 6.82 5.33
1973 6.81 5.29
1972 6.8 5.24
1971 6.77 5.16
1970 6.74 5.1
1969 6.71 5.05
1968 6.67 4.98
1967 6.64 4.92
1966 6.63 4.86
1965 6.61 4.79
1964 6.57 4.71
1963 6.51 4.65
1962 6.46 4.59
1961 6.4 4.5
1960 6.28 4.42

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | 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 3.65 in Gabon in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Benin
Gabon
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Gabon
2023 353,933 53,167
2022 349,518 52,944
2021 341,103 52,611
2020 341,929 52,745
2019 339,817 53,185
2018 340,270 52,476
2017 339,763 51,455
2016 336,559 50,321
2015 330,573 48,876
2014 323,753 47,704
2013 315,804 46,829
2012 306,180 45,941
2011 296,348 44,922
2010 287,703 43,061
2009 280,204 41,037
2008 274,242 39,002
2007 271,305 37,394
2006 265,040 35,984
2005 253,795 34,766
2004 245,630 33,615
2003 237,962 32,633
2002 229,472 31,777
2001 222,877 30,941
2000 218,013 30,210
1999 213,074 29,330
1998 208,342 28,697
1997 203,182 28,053
1996 197,643 27,450
1995 194,481 27,290
1994 196,637 27,271
1993 179,858 27,235
1992 173,794 26,810
1991 168,174 26,334
1990 163,055 25,858
1989 157,235 25,359
1988 153,580 24,888
1987 147,783 24,212
1986 142,039 23,362
1985 136,621 22,617
1984 131,590 21,851
1983 126,349 21,162
1982 122,748 20,292
1981 118,634 19,528
1980 112,969 18,503
1979 106,782 17,553
1978 100,762 16,714
1977 97,200 15,842
1976 93,141 14,998
1975 89,350 14,162
1974 85,623 13,381
1973 82,422 12,731
1972 79,415 12,095
1971 76,034 11,357
1970 73,156 10,635
1969 70,155 9,969
1968 67,327 9,417
1967 64,709 8,883
1966 62,169 8,410
1965 60,154 7,902
1964 57,352 7,402
1963 54,514 7,001
1962 51,664 6,609
1961 48,838 6,161
1960 44,564 5,732

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | 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 +2.14% in Gabon.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +2.31% in Gabon.

Birth rate in Benin vs Gabon by year

Benin
Gabon

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Gabon
2023 33.9 27.7
2022 34.4 28.3
2021 34.8 28.9
2020 35.3 29.5
2019 36 30.1
2018 37 30.5
2017 37.8 30.8
2016 38.6 31
2015 39 31.1
2014 39.3 31.4
2013 39.6 31.9
2012 39.7 32.5
2011 39.7 33
2010 39.8 33
2009 40 32.9
2008 40.4 32.6
2007 41 32.6
2006 41.3 32.6
2005 41.1 32.7
2004 41.3 32.7
2003 41.5 32.9
2002 41.5 33.1
2001 41.7 33.2
2000 42.1 33.4
1999 42.5 33.5
1998 43 33.7
1997 43.4 33.9
1996 43.7 34.1
1995 44.4 34.7
1994 45.7 35.5
1993 44.1 36.3
1992 44.9 36.7
1991 45.4 37.2
1990 45.7 37.6
1989 46 38
1988 46.6 38.5
1987 46.9 38.7
1986 47.1 38.7
1985 47.3 38.9
1984 47.6 39
1983 47.7 39.1
1982 48 39
1981 48.2 39
1980 47.9 38.6
1979 47.4 38.2
1978 46.9 38
1977 47 37.7
1976 47.1 37.3
1975 47.1 36.9
1974 47.2 36.5
1973 47.3 36.3
1972 47.4 36
1971 47.5 35.5
1970 47.5 35.1
1969 47.5 34.7
1968 47.5 34.4
1967 47.5 34.1
1966 47.7 33.8
1965 47.7 33.5
1964 47.6 33.1
1963 47.4 32.9
1962 47.1 32.6
1961 46.7 32.3
1960 45.8 31.9

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 27.7 in Gabon, compared with 45.8 and 31.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Gabon
Fertility rate 4.56 3.65
Fertility rate rank 14/196 40/196
Birth rate 33.9 27.7
Birth rate rank 14/196 42/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +53,167
Natural population change rank 49/196 91/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +2.14%
Population growth +2.49% +2.18%
Population growth rank 27/197 44/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 19.6 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 86.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 160.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 51.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 24.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 17.3%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 89.3%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.23%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 1.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 2.65%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 3.32%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 68.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Gabon
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Gabon
2100 22.4% 20.4%
2099 22.5% 20.5%
2098 22.7% 20.7%
2097 22.8% 20.8%
2096 23% 21%
2095 23.1% 21.1%
2094 23.3% 21.3%
2093 23.4% 21.4%
2092 23.6% 21.6%
2091 23.8% 21.7%
2090 23.9% 21.9%
2089 24.1% 22%
2088 24.3% 22.2%
2087 24.5% 22.4%
2086 24.7% 22.5%
2085 24.8% 22.7%
2084 25% 22.9%
2083 25.2% 23%
2082 25.4% 23.2%
2081 25.6% 23.3%
2080 25.8% 23.5%
2079 26% 23.7%
2078 26.2% 23.8%
2077 26.4% 24%
2076 26.6% 24.1%
2075 26.8% 24.3%
2074 27% 24.5%
2073 27.2% 24.6%
2072 27.4% 24.8%
2071 27.6% 25%
2070 27.8% 25.2%
2069 28% 25.4%
2068 28.2% 25.6%
2067 28.4% 25.8%
2066 28.7% 26%
2065 28.9% 26.2%
2064 29.2% 26.5%
2063 29.4% 26.7%
2062 29.7% 26.9%
2061 30% 27.2%
2060 30.3% 27.4%
2059 30.6% 27.7%
2058 30.9% 28%
2057 31.2% 28.2%
2056 31.5% 28.5%
2055 31.8% 28.7%
2054 32.1% 28.9%
2053 32.4% 29.1%
2052 32.7% 29.4%
2051 33% 29.6%
2050 33.3% 29.7%
2049 33.5% 29.9%
2048 33.8% 30.1%
2047 34.1% 30.2%
2046 34.3% 30.4%
2045 34.6% 30.6%
2044 34.9% 30.7%
2043 35.2% 30.9%
2042 35.4% 31%
2041 35.7% 31.2%
2040 36% 31.4%
2039 36.3% 31.7%
2038 36.7% 31.9%
2037 37% 32.2%
2036 37.3% 32.5%
2035 37.6% 32.9%
2034 38% 33.2%
2033 38.4% 33.6%
2032 38.8% 34%
2031 39.2% 34.4%
2030 39.6% 34.7%
2029 40% 35.1%
2028 40.4% 35.4%
2027 40.8% 35.8%
2026 41.1% 36.1%
2025 41.4% 36.4%
2024 41.6% 36.5%
2023 41.8% 36.7%
2022 42.1% 36.8%
2021 42.4% 36.8%
2020 42.7% 36.8%
2019 42.9% 36.8%
2018 43.1% 36.7%
2017 43.2% 36.6%
2016 43.3% 36.6%
2015 43.4% 36.6%
2014 43.5% 36.7%
2013 43.6% 36.8%
2012 43.7% 37%
2011 43.8% 37.1%
2010 43.9% 37.3%
2009 44.1% 37.6%
2008 44.3% 37.9%
2007 44.4% 38.2%
2006 44.4% 38.6%
2005 44.6% 39%
2004 44.8% 39.4%
2003 44.9% 39.7%
2002 45.1% 40.1%
2001 45.3% 40.5%
2000 45.4% 40.8%
1999 45.6% 41.2%
1998 45.8% 41.5%
1997 45.9% 41.8%
1996 46% 42%
1995 45.9% 42.3%
1994 45.5% 42.4%
1993 45.7% 42.5%
1992 46.2% 42.5%
1991 46.2% 42.5%
1990 46.1% 42.4%
1989 46.1% 42.3%
1988 46.1% 42.1%
1987 46% 41.9%
1986 45.9% 41.6%
1985 45.8% 41.4%
1984 45.7% 41%
1983 45.6% 40.7%
1982 45.5% 40.3%
1981 45.3% 39.9%
1980 45.2% 39.6%
1979 45.1% 39.2%
1978 45% 38.8%
1977 44.8% 38.4%
1976 44.7% 38%
1975 44.5% 37.6%
1974 44.3% 37.1%
1973 44.1% 36.7%
1972 43.8% 36.3%
1971 43.5% 35.8%
1970 43.2% 35.4%
1969 42.8% 35.1%
1968 42.5% 34.7%
1967 42.1% 34.3%
1966 41.6% 33.9%
1965 41.2% 33.5%
1964 40.8% 33%
1963 40.3% 32.6%
1962 39.9% 32.2%
1961 39.5% 31.8%
1960 39.1% 31.4%

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/gabon | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 36.5% in Gabon in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 42.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Gabon compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Gabon

Benin
Gabon
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Gabon
2023 518 233
2022 547 216
2021 584 249
2020 578 194
2019 572 179
2018 585 176
2017 592 184
2016 604 215
2015 606 239
2014 605 273
2013 607 235
2012 618 173
2011 613 149
2010 607 144
2009 598 158
2008 563 158
2007 501 173
2006 509 186
2005 514 175
2004 531 142
2003 532 134
2002 534 151
2001 532 160
2000 529 178
1999 536 216
1998 547 258
1997 556 290
1996 576 321
1995 586 341
1994 605 357
1993 591 364
1992 625 371
1991 666 369
1990 692 368
1989 732 366
1988 765 367
1987 817 366
1986 858 369
1985 910 373

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | 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 233 deaths in Gabon.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Gabon

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Gabon
2023 7.79% 3.32%
2022 8.04% 3.41%
2021 8.31% 3.52%
2020 8.55% 3.62%
2019 8.8% 3.8%
2018 9.05% 3.96%
2017 9.27% 4.1%
2016 9.5% 4.24%
2015 9.71% 4.42%
2014 9.93% 4.57%
2013 10.2% 4.73%
2012 10.4% 4.94%
2011 10.6% 5.14%
2010 10.8% 5.35%
2009 11.1% 5.57%
2008 11.3% 5.77%
2007 11.5% 5.99%
2006 11.8% 6.21%
2005 12.1% 6.39%
2004 12.4% 6.6%
2003 12.7% 6.81%
2002 13% 7.01%
2001 13.3% 7.19%
2000 13.6% 7.37%
1999 13.9% 7.53%
1998 14.3% 7.67%
1997 14.6% 7.79%
1996 14.9% 7.89%
1995 15.2% 7.98%
1994 15.6% 8.06%
1993 16% 8.14%
1992 16.4% 8.24%
1991 16.8% 8.35%
1990 17.2% 8.49%
1989 17.6% 8.64%
1988 18% 8.82%
1987 18.4% 9.03%
1986 18.8% 9.26%
1985 19.2% 9.52%
1984 19.6% 9.81%
1983 20% 10.1%
1982 20.4% 10.5%
1981 20.8% 10.8%
1980 21.2% 11.2%
1979 21.6% 11.6%
1978 22.1% 12%
1977 22.6% 12.4%
1976 23.1% 12.8%
1975 23.7% 13.3%
1974 24.2% 13.7%
1973 24.7% 14.2%
1972 25.2% 14.7%
1971 25.7% 15.2%
1970 26.1% 15.7%
1969 26.6% 16.2%
1968 27% 16.8%
1967 27.5% 17.4%
1966 28% 17.9%
1965 28.5% 18.6%
1964 29.1% 19.2%
1963 29.6% 19.8%
1962 30.2% 20.5%
1961 30.7% 21.2%
1960 31.2% 21.9%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/gabon | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 3.32% in Gabon. 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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