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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Ghana

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 26.3 for Ghana. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 3.4 in Ghana — 25.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 50.7% in Ghana — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.89, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 47/196 for Ghana.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 22.1 years in Ghana.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 29.4 in Ghana.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 58.2 in Ghana.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.6% in Ghana.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Ghana by year

Benin
Ghana
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Ghana
2023 4.56 3.4
2022 4.63 3.43
2021 4.71 3.49
2020 4.8 3.54
2019 4.9 3.59
2018 5.03 3.65
2017 5.16 3.72
2016 5.25 3.87
2015 5.32 3.98
2014 5.37 4.03
2013 5.41 4.11
2012 5.43 4.15
2011 5.44 4.18
2010 5.45 4.18
2009 5.49 4.18
2008 5.55 4.22
2007 5.63 4.29
2006 5.67 4.4
2005 5.69 4.5
2004 5.72 4.5
2003 5.76 4.6
2002 5.79 4.69
2001 5.85 4.77
2000 5.94 4.83
1999 6.03 4.82
1998 6.14 4.83
1997 6.23 4.88
1996 6.28 4.96
1995 6.33 5.11
1994 6.42 5.25
1993 6.51 5.41
1992 6.59 5.52
1991 6.67 5.63
1990 6.74 5.74
1989 6.82 5.82
1988 6.87 5.92
1987 6.92 6.02
1986 6.96 6.08
1985 7 6.12
1984 7.03 6.15
1983 7.05 6.23
1982 7.06 6.31
1981 7.06 6.42
1980 6.99 6.47
1979 6.91 6.51
1978 6.82 6.56
1977 6.83 6.64
1976 6.83 6.7
1975 6.83 6.76
1974 6.82 6.82
1973 6.81 6.87
1972 6.8 6.92
1971 6.77 6.95
1970 6.74 6.95
1969 6.71 6.95
1968 6.67 6.89
1967 6.64 6.89
1966 6.63 6.86
1965 6.61 6.88
1964 6.57 6.9
1963 6.51 6.94
1962 6.46 6.94
1961 6.4 6.91
1960 6.28 6.89

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/ghana | 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 3.4 in Ghana in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Benin
Ghana
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Ghana
2023 353,933 651,094
2022 349,518 646,441
2021 341,103 635,805
2020 341,929 637,469
2019 339,817 642,403
2018 340,270 641,551
2017 339,763 641,218
2016 336,559 659,910
2015 330,573 667,729
2014 323,753 660,829
2013 315,804 658,638
2012 306,180 646,595
2011 296,348 631,501
2010 287,703 613,133
2009 280,204 592,825
2008 274,242 579,695
2007 271,305 572,332
2006 265,040 569,474
2005 253,795 563,234
2004 245,630 543,339
2003 237,962 536,656
2002 229,472 528,620
2001 222,877 519,382
2000 218,013 508,738
1999 213,074 487,210
1998 208,342 471,313
1997 203,182 459,822
1996 197,643 450,259
1995 194,481 451,748
1994 196,637 449,589
1993 179,858 454,669
1992 173,794 452,156
1991 168,174 448,159
1990 163,055 442,211
1989 157,235 432,541
1988 153,580 425,031
1987 147,783 419,328
1986 142,039 411,191
1985 136,621 401,722
1984 131,590 392,053
1983 126,349 379,846
1982 122,748 369,061
1981 118,634 359,572
1980 112,969 346,816
1979 106,782 334,848
1978 100,762 324,428
1977 97,200 315,429
1976 93,141 305,769
1975 89,350 298,267
1974 85,623 290,796
1973 82,422 283,385
1972 79,415 275,236
1971 76,034 265,442
1970 73,156 257,938
1969 70,155 251,925
1968 67,327 242,821
1967 64,709 237,156
1966 62,169 231,440
1965 60,154 229,061
1964 57,352 226,685
1963 54,514 225,367
1962 51,664 223,842
1961 48,838 222,372
1960 44,564 217,134

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/ghana | 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 +1.93% in Ghana.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +2.1% in Ghana.

Birth rate in Benin vs Ghana by year

Benin
Ghana

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Ghana
2023 33.9 26.3
2022 34.4 26.6
2021 34.8 27
2020 35.3 27.4
2019 36 27.9
2018 37 28.4
2017 37.8 28.9
2016 38.6 30.2
2015 39 31.1
2014 39.3 31.5
2013 39.6 32.2
2012 39.7 32.5
2011 39.7 32.7
2010 39.8 32.7
2009 40 32.6
2008 40.4 32.8
2007 41 33.2
2006 41.3 33.9
2005 41.1 34.4
2004 41.3 34.3
2003 41.5 34.8
2002 41.5 35.2
2001 41.7 35.6
2000 42.1 35.9
1999 42.5 35.6
1998 43 35.5
1997 43.4 35.6
1996 43.7 35.8
1995 44.4 36.7
1994 45.7 37.5
1993 44.1 38.5
1992 44.9 39.2
1991 45.4 39.9
1990 45.7 40.5
1989 46 40.9
1988 46.6 41.5
1987 46.9 42.2
1986 47.1 42.7
1985 47.3 43.1
1984 47.6 43.4
1983 47.7 43.4
1982 48 43.6
1981 48.2 43.9
1980 47.9 44.1
1979 47.4 44
1978 46.9 44.1
1977 47 44.4
1976 47.1 44.7
1975 47.1 45.3
1974 47.2 45.9
1973 47.3 46.4
1972 47.4 46.9
1971 47.5 47.4
1970 47.5 47.7
1969 47.5 47.9
1968 47.5 47.7
1967 47.5 47.7
1966 47.7 47.8
1965 47.7 48.2
1964 47.6 48.7
1963 47.4 49.2
1962 47.1 49.7
1961 46.7 50
1960 45.8 50.4

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 26.3 in Ghana, compared with 45.8 and 50.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Ghana
Fertility rate 4.56 3.4
Fertility rate rank 14/196 46/196
Birth rate 33.9 26.3
Birth rate rank 14/196 47/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +651,094
Natural population change rank 49/196 30/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +1.93%
Population growth +2.49% +1.89%
Population growth rank 27/197 57/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 22.1 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 29.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 56.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 148.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 52.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 25.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 27.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 78.9%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.23%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 2.12%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 2.82%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 3.71%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 66.1 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Ghana
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Ghana
2100 22.4% 19.3%
2099 22.5% 19.5%
2098 22.7% 19.6%
2097 22.8% 19.7%
2096 23% 19.8%
2095 23.1% 20%
2094 23.3% 20.1%
2093 23.4% 20.2%
2092 23.6% 20.4%
2091 23.8% 20.5%
2090 23.9% 20.7%
2089 24.1% 20.8%
2088 24.3% 21%
2087 24.5% 21.1%
2086 24.7% 21.3%
2085 24.8% 21.4%
2084 25% 21.6%
2083 25.2% 21.7%
2082 25.4% 21.9%
2081 25.6% 22.1%
2080 25.8% 22.2%
2079 26% 22.4%
2078 26.2% 22.5%
2077 26.4% 22.7%
2076 26.6% 22.9%
2075 26.8% 23%
2074 27% 23.2%
2073 27.2% 23.4%
2072 27.4% 23.5%
2071 27.6% 23.7%
2070 27.8% 23.9%
2069 28% 24.1%
2068 28.2% 24.2%
2067 28.4% 24.4%
2066 28.7% 24.6%
2065 28.9% 24.8%
2064 29.2% 25.1%
2063 29.4% 25.3%
2062 29.7% 25.5%
2061 30% 25.7%
2060 30.3% 26%
2059 30.6% 26.2%
2058 30.9% 26.4%
2057 31.2% 26.7%
2056 31.5% 26.9%
2055 31.8% 27.2%
2054 32.1% 27.4%
2053 32.4% 27.7%
2052 32.7% 27.9%
2051 33% 28.2%
2050 33.3% 28.4%
2049 33.5% 28.6%
2048 33.8% 28.9%
2047 34.1% 29.1%
2046 34.3% 29.3%
2045 34.6% 29.5%
2044 34.9% 29.7%
2043 35.2% 29.9%
2042 35.4% 30.2%
2041 35.7% 30.4%
2040 36% 30.6%
2039 36.3% 30.8%
2038 36.7% 31%
2037 37% 31.3%
2036 37.3% 31.5%
2035 37.6% 31.8%
2034 38% 32%
2033 38.4% 32.3%
2032 38.8% 32.7%
2031 39.2% 33%
2030 39.6% 33.5%
2029 40% 33.9%
2028 40.4% 34.3%
2027 40.8% 34.8%
2026 41.1% 35.2%
2025 41.4% 35.6%
2024 41.6% 35.8%
2023 41.8% 36.2%
2022 42.1% 36.5%
2021 42.4% 36.9%
2020 42.7% 37.2%
2019 42.9% 37.6%
2018 43.1% 37.8%
2017 43.2% 38.1%
2016 43.3% 38.4%
2015 43.4% 38.6%
2014 43.5% 38.8%
2013 43.6% 38.9%
2012 43.7% 38.9%
2011 43.8% 39%
2010 43.9% 39.1%
2009 44.1% 39.3%
2008 44.3% 39.5%
2007 44.4% 39.8%
2006 44.4% 40.1%
2005 44.6% 40.4%
2004 44.8% 40.7%
2003 44.9% 41.1%
2002 45.1% 41.5%
2001 45.3% 41.9%
2000 45.4% 42.3%
1999 45.6% 42.7%
1998 45.8% 43.1%
1997 45.9% 43.5%
1996 46% 43.9%
1995 45.9% 44.2%
1994 45.5% 44.5%
1993 45.7% 44.8%
1992 46.2% 45%
1991 46.2% 45.2%
1990 46.1% 45.3%
1989 46.1% 45.4%
1988 46.1% 45.4%
1987 46% 45.5%
1986 45.9% 45.4%
1985 45.8% 45.3%
1984 45.7% 45.2%
1983 45.6% 45.4%
1982 45.5% 45.7%
1981 45.3% 45.9%
1980 45.2% 46.2%
1979 45.1% 46.5%
1978 45% 47%
1977 44.8% 47.5%
1976 44.7% 47.9%
1975 44.5% 48.2%
1974 44.3% 48.3%
1973 44.1% 48.4%
1972 43.8% 48.4%
1971 43.5% 48.4%
1970 43.2% 48.2%
1969 42.8% 48.1%
1968 42.5% 47.9%
1967 42.1% 47.8%
1966 41.6% 47.6%
1965 41.2% 47.4%
1964 40.8% 47.1%
1963 40.3% 46.8%
1962 39.9% 46.4%
1961 39.5% 45.9%
1960 39.1% 45.4%

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/ghana | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 35.8% in Ghana in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 45.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Ghana compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Ghana

Benin
Ghana
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Ghana
2023 518 234
2022 547 239
2021 584 264
2020 578 253
2019 572 260
2018 585 276
2017 592 287
2016 604 296
2015 606 310
2014 605 317
2013 607 338
2012 618 351
2011 613 356
2010 607 363
2009 598 369
2008 563 380
2007 501 377
2006 509 385
2005 514 390
2004 531 403
2003 532 410
2002 534 434
2001 532 460
2000 529 472
1999 536 490
1998 547 521
1997 556 553
1996 576 591
1995 586 630
1994 605 670
1993 591 696
1992 625 718
1991 666 745
1990 692 769
1989 732 799
1988 765 834
1987 817 873
1986 858 908
1985 910 943

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/ghana | 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 234 deaths in Ghana.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Ghana

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Ghana
2023 7.79% 3.71%
2022 8.04% 3.85%
2021 8.31% 4.02%
2020 8.55% 4.2%
2019 8.8% 4.39%
2018 9.05% 4.6%
2017 9.27% 4.81%
2016 9.5% 5.02%
2015 9.71% 5.25%
2014 9.93% 5.48%
2013 10.2% 5.74%
2012 10.4% 6.02%
2011 10.6% 6.33%
2010 10.8% 6.65%
2009 11.1% 6.99%
2008 11.3% 7.31%
2007 11.5% 7.63%
2006 11.8% 7.93%
2005 12.1% 8.22%
2004 12.4% 8.52%
2003 12.7% 8.85%
2002 13% 9.21%
2001 13.3% 9.61%
2000 13.6% 10%
1999 13.9% 10.4%
1998 14.3% 10.8%
1997 14.6% 11.1%
1996 14.9% 11.3%
1995 15.2% 11.5%
1994 15.6% 11.6%
1993 16% 11.8%
1992 16.4% 12%
1991 16.8% 12.3%
1990 17.2% 12.8%
1989 17.6% 13.3%
1988 18% 13.8%
1987 18.4% 14.4%
1986 18.8% 15%
1985 19.2% 15.5%
1984 19.6% 15.9%
1983 20% 16.2%
1982 20.4% 16.4%
1981 20.8% 16.6%
1980 21.2% 16.7%
1979 21.6% 16.9%
1978 22.1% 17.2%
1977 22.6% 17.7%
1976 23.1% 18.2%
1975 23.7% 18.7%
1974 24.2% 19.2%
1973 24.7% 19.6%
1972 25.2% 19.9%
1971 25.7% 20.1%
1970 26.1% 20.2%
1969 26.6% 20.3%
1968 27% 20.3%
1967 27.5% 20.3%
1966 28% 20.3%
1965 28.5% 20.3%
1964 29.1% 20.3%
1963 29.6% 20.4%
1962 30.2% 20.5%
1961 30.7% 20.7%
1960 31.2% 20.9%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 3.71% in Ghana. 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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