Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Mauritania

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 34.4 for Mauritania. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 4.7 in Mauritania — 3.09% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 23.6% in Mauritania — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.15, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 13/196 for Mauritania.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 21.8 years in Mauritania.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 30.2 in Mauritania.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 88.9 in Mauritania.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.3% in Mauritania.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Mauritania by year

Benin
Mauritania
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Mauritania
2023 4.56 4.7
2022 4.63 4.77
2021 4.71 4.85
2020 4.8 4.91
2019 4.9 4.98
2018 5.03 5.04
2017 5.16 5.11
2016 5.25 5.16
2015 5.32 5.21
2014 5.37 5.26
2013 5.41 5.32
2012 5.43 5.35
2011 5.44 5.38
2010 5.45 5.38
2009 5.49 5.41
2008 5.55 5.44
2007 5.63 5.43
2006 5.67 5.4
2005 5.69 5.38
2004 5.72 5.37
2003 5.76 5.36
2002 5.79 5.37
2001 5.85 5.41
2000 5.94 5.46
1999 6.03 5.52
1998 6.14 5.62
1997 6.23 5.74
1996 6.28 5.86
1995 6.33 5.96
1994 6.42 6.06
1993 6.51 6.09
1992 6.59 6.13
1991 6.67 6.16
1990 6.74 6.18
1989 6.82 6.2
1988 6.87 6.21
1987 6.92 6.27
1986 6.96 6.34
1985 7 6.42
1984 7.03 6.48
1983 7.05 6.54
1982 7.06 6.59
1981 7.06 6.64
1980 6.99 6.67
1979 6.91 6.7
1978 6.82 6.73
1977 6.83 6.74
1976 6.83 6.73
1975 6.83 6.71
1974 6.82 6.73
1973 6.81 6.72
1972 6.8 6.71
1971 6.77 6.7
1970 6.74 6.68
1969 6.71 6.64
1968 6.67 6.6
1967 6.64 6.57
1966 6.63 6.52
1965 6.61 6.44
1964 6.57 6.37
1963 6.51 6.31
1962 6.46 6.24
1961 6.4 6.2
1960 6.28 6.15

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/mauritania | 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 4.7 in Mauritania in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Benin
Mauritania
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Mauritania
2023 353,933 145,164
2022 349,518 142,451
2021 341,103 137,557
2020 341,929 134,899
2019 339,817 134,460
2018 340,270 131,584
2017 339,763 128,562
2016 336,559 125,342
2015 330,573 122,092
2014 323,753 118,792
2013 315,804 115,558
2012 306,180 113,489
2011 296,348 111,165
2010 287,703 108,121
2009 280,204 105,273
2008 274,242 102,432
2007 271,305 98,895
2006 265,040 94,991
2005 253,795 90,940
2004 245,630 87,578
2003 237,962 83,804
2002 229,472 80,993
2001 222,877 78,769
2000 218,013 75,929
1999 213,074 73,554
1998 208,342 72,045
1997 203,182 71,327
1996 197,643 71,939
1995 194,481 72,244
1994 196,637 70,570
1993 179,858 68,167
1992 173,794 63,501
1991 168,174 61,782
1990 163,055 59,934
1989 157,235 58,666
1988 153,580 56,654
1987 147,783 55,037
1986 142,039 53,313
1985 136,621 52,125
1984 131,590 50,705
1983 126,349 49,187
1982 122,748 47,947
1981 118,634 46,641
1980 112,969 45,026
1979 106,782 43,537
1978 100,762 42,539
1977 97,200 41,352
1976 93,141 40,149
1975 89,350 38,975
1974 85,623 38,106
1973 82,422 37,122
1972 79,415 36,184
1971 76,034 35,279
1970 73,156 34,382
1969 70,155 33,252
1968 67,327 32,029
1967 64,709 30,853
1966 62,169 29,502
1965 60,154 28,028
1964 57,352 26,565
1963 54,514 25,250
1962 51,664 23,927
1961 48,838 22,781
1960 44,564 21,604

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/mauritania | 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 +2.89% in Mauritania.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +3% in Mauritania.

Birth rate in Benin vs Mauritania by year

Benin
Mauritania

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Mauritania
2023 33.9 34.4
2022 34.4 34.8
2021 34.8 35.3
2020 35.3 35.7
2019 36 36.2
2018 37 36.6
2017 37.8 37
2016 38.6 37.4
2015 39 37.8
2014 39.3 38.1
2013 39.6 38.5
2012 39.7 38.7
2011 39.7 38.9
2010 39.8 38.9
2009 40 39
2008 40.4 39.1
2007 41 39
2006 41.3 38.8
2005 41.1 38.4
2004 41.3 38.3
2003 41.5 37.9
2002 41.5 37.9
2001 41.7 38
2000 42.1 37.9
1999 42.5 38.1
1998 43 38.6
1997 43.4 39.4
1996 43.7 40.7
1995 44.4 41.5
1994 45.7 41.7
1993 44.1 41.7
1992 44.9 40.7
1991 45.4 41.3
1990 45.7 41.4
1989 46 41.8
1988 46.6 41.6
1987 46.9 41.9
1986 47.1 42.2
1985 47.3 42.8
1984 47.6 43.2
1983 47.7 43.6
1982 48 44
1981 48.2 44.4
1980 47.9 44.5
1979 47.4 44.7
1978 46.9 45.2
1977 47 45.4
1976 47.1 45.6
1975 47.1 45.8
1974 47.2 46.1
1973 47.3 46.4
1972 47.4 46.6
1971 47.5 47
1970 47.5 47.3
1969 47.5 47.5
1968 47.5 47.6
1967 47.5 47.8
1966 47.7 47.8
1965 47.7 47.6
1964 47.6 47.3
1963 47.4 47.1
1962 47.1 46.8
1961 46.7 46.6
1960 45.8 46.2

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 34.4 in Mauritania, compared with 45.8 and 46.2, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Mauritania
Fertility rate 4.56 4.7
Fertility rate rank 14/196 11/196
Birth rate 33.9 34.4
Birth rate rank 14/196 13/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +145,164
Natural population change rank 49/196 70/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +2.89%
Population growth +2.49% +2.93%
Population growth rank 27/197 17/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 21.8 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 30.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 86.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 175.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 81.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 24.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 12.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 70.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.38%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 2.15%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 3.1%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 3.78%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 69.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Mauritania
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Mauritania
2100 22.4% 21.5%
2099 22.5% 21.6%
2098 22.7% 21.8%
2097 22.8% 22%
2096 23% 22.1%
2095 23.1% 22.3%
2094 23.3% 22.5%
2093 23.4% 22.7%
2092 23.6% 22.9%
2091 23.8% 23.1%
2090 23.9% 23.3%
2089 24.1% 23.5%
2088 24.3% 23.7%
2087 24.5% 23.9%
2086 24.7% 24.1%
2085 24.8% 24.3%
2084 25% 24.5%
2083 25.2% 24.7%
2082 25.4% 25%
2081 25.6% 25.2%
2080 25.8% 25.4%
2079 26% 25.7%
2078 26.2% 25.9%
2077 26.4% 26.1%
2076 26.6% 26.4%
2075 26.8% 26.6%
2074 27% 26.8%
2073 27.2% 27.1%
2072 27.4% 27.3%
2071 27.6% 27.6%
2070 27.8% 27.9%
2069 28% 28.1%
2068 28.2% 28.4%
2067 28.4% 28.7%
2066 28.7% 29%
2065 28.9% 29.3%
2064 29.2% 29.6%
2063 29.4% 29.8%
2062 29.7% 30.1%
2061 30% 30.4%
2060 30.3% 30.7%
2059 30.6% 31.1%
2058 30.9% 31.4%
2057 31.2% 31.7%
2056 31.5% 32%
2055 31.8% 32.3%
2054 32.1% 32.6%
2053 32.4% 33%
2052 32.7% 33.3%
2051 33% 33.6%
2050 33.3% 33.9%
2049 33.5% 34.3%
2048 33.8% 34.6%
2047 34.1% 35%
2046 34.3% 35.3%
2045 34.6% 35.7%
2044 34.9% 36%
2043 35.2% 36.4%
2042 35.4% 36.7%
2041 35.7% 37.1%
2040 36% 37.4%
2039 36.3% 37.8%
2038 36.7% 38.1%
2037 37% 38.5%
2036 37.3% 38.8%
2035 37.6% 39.2%
2034 38% 39.5%
2033 38.4% 39.9%
2032 38.8% 40.2%
2031 39.2% 40.5%
2030 39.6% 40.8%
2029 40% 41.2%
2028 40.4% 41.5%
2027 40.8% 41.9%
2026 41.1% 42.2%
2025 41.4% 42.6%
2024 41.6% 42.7%
2023 41.8% 43%
2022 42.1% 43.4%
2021 42.4% 43.6%
2020 42.7% 43.8%
2019 42.9% 44%
2018 43.1% 44.1%
2017 43.2% 44.2%
2016 43.3% 44.2%
2015 43.4% 44.3%
2014 43.5% 44.2%
2013 43.6% 44.2%
2012 43.7% 44.1%
2011 43.8% 43.9%
2010 43.9% 43.9%
2009 44.1% 43.9%
2008 44.3% 44.1%
2007 44.4% 44.3%
2006 44.4% 44.2%
2005 44.6% 44.2%
2004 44.8% 44.2%
2003 44.9% 44.2%
2002 45.1% 44.2%
2001 45.3% 44.1%
2000 45.4% 44.2%
1999 45.6% 44.4%
1998 45.8% 44.6%
1997 45.9% 44.7%
1996 46% 44.6%
1995 45.9% 44.4%
1994 45.5% 44.3%
1993 45.7% 44.4%
1992 46.2% 44.9%
1991 46.2% 45.3%
1990 46.1% 45.4%
1989 46.1% 45.4%
1988 46.1% 45.3%
1987 46% 45.4%
1986 45.9% 45.5%
1985 45.8% 45.6%
1984 45.7% 45.7%
1983 45.6% 45.8%
1982 45.5% 45.8%
1981 45.3% 45.9%
1980 45.2% 45.9%
1979 45.1% 45.9%
1978 45% 45.8%
1977 44.8% 45.7%
1976 44.7% 45.6%
1975 44.5% 45.5%
1974 44.3% 45.4%
1973 44.1% 45.2%
1972 43.8% 44.9%
1971 43.5% 44.7%
1970 43.2% 44.4%
1969 42.8% 44%
1968 42.5% 43.6%
1967 42.1% 43.2%
1966 41.6% 42.8%
1965 41.2% 42.4%
1964 40.8% 42%
1963 40.3% 41.8%
1962 39.9% 41.8%
1961 39.5% 41.8%
1960 39.1% 41.8%

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/mauritania | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 42.7% in Mauritania in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 45.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Mauritania compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Mauritania

Benin
Mauritania
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Mauritania
2023 518 381
2022 547 385
2021 584 425
2020 578 413
2019 572 424
2018 585 437
2017 592 450
2016 604 456
2015 606 469
2014 605 484
2013 607 496
2012 618 496
2011 613 494
2010 607 499
2009 598 500
2008 563 506
2007 501 516
2006 509 521
2005 514 536
2004 531 557
2003 532 571
2002 534 590
2001 532 616
2000 529 644
1999 536 669
1998 547 698
1997 556 752
1996 576 813
1995 586 815
1994 605 809
1993 591 813
1992 625 811
1991 666 845
1990 692 858
1989 732 883
1988 765 887
1987 817 914
1986 858 961
1985 910 998

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/mauritania | 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 381 deaths in Mauritania.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Mauritania

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Mauritania
2023 7.79% 3.78%
2022 8.04% 3.91%
2021 8.31% 4.03%
2020 8.55% 4.17%
2019 8.8% 4.3%
2018 9.05% 4.45%
2017 9.27% 4.59%
2016 9.5% 4.74%
2015 9.71% 4.89%
2014 9.93% 5.04%
2013 10.2% 5.17%
2012 10.4% 5.31%
2011 10.6% 5.45%
2010 10.8% 5.61%
2009 11.1% 5.79%
2008 11.3% 6.04%
2007 11.5% 6.35%
2006 11.8% 6.73%
2005 12.1% 7.18%
2004 12.4% 7.7%
2003 12.7% 8.25%
2002 13% 8.81%
2001 13.3% 9.35%
2000 13.6% 9.82%
1999 13.9% 10.2%
1998 14.3% 10.6%
1997 14.6% 10.8%
1996 14.9% 11%
1995 15.2% 11.1%
1994 15.6% 11.2%
1993 16% 11.2%
1992 16.4% 11.3%
1991 16.8% 11.4%
1990 17.2% 11.5%
1989 17.6% 11.8%
1988 18% 12.1%
1987 18.4% 12.6%
1986 18.8% 13.2%
1985 19.2% 13.8%
1984 19.6% 14.5%
1983 20% 15.1%
1982 20.4% 15.6%
1981 20.8% 16.1%
1980 21.2% 16.6%
1979 21.6% 17.1%
1978 22.1% 17.6%
1977 22.6% 18.2%
1976 23.1% 18.6%
1975 23.7% 18.9%
1974 24.2% 19%
1973 24.7% 19%
1972 25.2% 18.9%
1971 25.7% 18.9%
1970 26.1% 19%
1969 26.6% 19.4%
1968 27% 19.9%
1967 27.5% 20.6%
1966 28% 21.3%
1965 28.5% 22%
1964 29.1% 22.7%
1963 29.6% 23.4%
1962 30.2% 24%
1961 30.7% 24.7%
1960 31.2% 25.3%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 3.78% in Mauritania. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.