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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Nigeria

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33 for Nigeria. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 4.48 in Nigeria — 1.62% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 29.6% in Nigeria — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.36, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 20/196 for Nigeria.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 20.4 years in Nigeria.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 29.1 in Nigeria.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 86.4 in Nigeria.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24% in Nigeria.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Nigeria by year

Benin
Nigeria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Nigeria
2023 4.56 4.48
2022 4.63 4.55
2021 4.71 4.64
2020 4.8 4.7
2019 4.9 4.86
2018 5.03 5.02
2017 5.16 5.18
2016 5.25 5.34
2015 5.32 5.5
2014 5.37 5.62
2013 5.41 5.69
2012 5.43 5.8
2011 5.44 5.89
2010 5.45 5.95
2009 5.49 5.99
2008 5.55 6.02
2007 5.63 6.03
2006 5.67 6.05
2005 5.69 6.06
2004 5.72 6.09
2003 5.76 6.1
2002 5.79 6.12
2001 5.85 6.13
2000 5.94 6.12
1999 6.03 6.08
1998 6.14 6.07
1997 6.23 6.14
1996 6.28 6.22
1995 6.33 6.27
1994 6.42 6.32
1993 6.51 6.35
1992 6.59 6.39
1991 6.67 6.43
1990 6.74 6.46
1989 6.82 6.49
1988 6.87 6.5
1987 6.92 6.5
1986 6.96 6.56
1985 7 6.62
1984 7.03 6.7
1983 7.05 6.78
1982 7.06 6.8
1981 7.06 6.82
1980 6.99 6.85
1979 6.91 6.89
1978 6.82 6.92
1977 6.83 6.86
1976 6.83 6.81
1975 6.83 6.77
1974 6.82 6.7
1973 6.81 6.63
1972 6.8 6.58
1971 6.77 6.53
1970 6.74 6.47
1969 6.71 6.44
1968 6.67 6.42
1967 6.64 6.4
1966 6.63 6.39
1965 6.61 6.37
1964 6.57 6.36
1963 6.51 6.35
1962 6.46 6.36
1961 6.4 6.35
1960 6.28 6.36

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/nigeria | 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 4.48 in Nigeria in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Benin
Nigeria
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Nigeria
2023 353,933 4,834,309
2022 349,518 4,739,502
2021 341,103 4,641,562
2020 341,929 4,525,164
2019 339,817 4,609,941
2018 340,270 4,659,898
2017 339,763 4,706,183
2016 336,559 4,761,594
2015 330,573 4,823,045
2014 323,753 4,862,319
2013 315,804 4,811,751
2012 306,180 4,774,508
2011 296,348 4,728,363
2010 287,703 4,629,173
2009 280,204 4,528,149
2008 274,242 4,412,976
2007 271,305 4,265,428
2006 265,040 4,135,703
2005 253,795 4,013,788
2004 245,630 3,877,376
2003 237,962 3,751,120
2002 229,472 3,606,814
2001 222,877 3,478,370
2000 218,013 3,343,196
1999 213,074 3,155,425
1998 208,342 3,003,946
1997 203,182 2,936,500
1996 197,643 2,882,205
1995 194,481 2,830,771
1994 196,637 2,735,198
1993 179,858 2,673,675
1992 173,794 2,596,173
1991 168,174 2,527,807
1990 163,055 2,491,928
1989 157,235 2,452,324
1988 153,580 2,376,419
1987 147,783 2,322,397
1986 142,039 2,295,003
1985 136,621 2,289,784
1984 131,590 2,278,060
1983 126,349 2,292,089
1982 122,748 2,233,401
1981 118,634 2,179,884
1980 112,969 2,121,618
1979 106,782 2,074,807
1978 100,762 2,019,621
1977 97,200 1,923,917
1976 93,141 1,827,289
1975 89,350 1,718,623
1974 85,623 1,624,813
1973 82,422 1,525,485
1972 79,415 1,448,928
1971 76,034 1,373,896
1970 73,156 1,295,507
1969 70,155 1,213,484
1968 67,327 1,168,254
1967 64,709 1,082,884
1966 62,169 1,095,582
1965 60,154 1,061,840
1964 57,352 1,028,272
1963 54,514 995,116
1962 51,664 966,452
1961 48,838 932,111
1960 44,564 901,301

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/nigeria | 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 +2.12% in Nigeria.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +2.29% in Nigeria.

Birth rate in Benin vs Nigeria by year

Benin
Nigeria

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Nigeria
2023 33.9 33
2022 34.4 33.2
2021 34.8 33.5
2020 35.3 33.7
2019 36 34.7
2018 37 35.7
2017 37.8 36.7
2016 38.6 37.8
2015 39 39
2014 39.3 39.9
2013 39.6 40.4
2012 39.7 41.1
2011 39.7 41.8
2010 39.8 42.1
2009 40 42.5
2008 40.4 42.8
2007 41 42.9
2006 41.3 43.2
2005 41.1 43.4
2004 41.3 43.5
2003 41.5 43.7
2002 41.5 43.8
2001 41.7 43.9
2000 42.1 43.9
1999 42.5 43.4
1998 43 43.2
1997 43.4 43.5
1996 43.7 43.9
1995 44.4 44.1
1994 45.7 44
1993 44.1 44.1
1992 44.9 44.2
1991 45.4 44.3
1990 45.7 44.5
1989 46 44.8
1988 46.6 44.7
1987 46.9 44.8
1986 47.1 45.3
1985 47.3 45.9
1984 47.6 46.5
1983 47.7 47.5
1982 48 47.5
1981 48.2 47.9
1980 47.9 48.3
1979 47.4 48.8
1978 46.9 49.3
1977 47 49.1
1976 47.1 49
1975 47.1 49
1974 47.2 48.7
1973 47.3 48.2
1972 47.4 48
1971 47.5 47.8
1970 47.5 47.4
1969 47.5 47.3
1968 47.5 47.2
1967 47.5 47.1
1966 47.7 47
1965 47.7 46.9
1964 47.6 46.9
1963 47.4 46.8
1962 47.1 46.7
1961 46.7 46.6
1960 45.8 46.5

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 33 in Nigeria, compared with 45.8 and 46.5, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Nigeria
Fertility rate 4.56 4.48
Fertility rate rank 14/196 15/196
Birth rate 33.9 33
Birth rate rank 14/196 20/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +4,834,309
Natural population change rank 49/196 3/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +2.12%
Population growth +2.49% +2.1%
Population growth rank 27/197 48/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 20.4 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 29.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 80.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 200.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 67.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 24%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 18.2%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 50.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.99%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 3.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 6.01%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 10.5%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 55 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Nigeria
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Nigeria
2100 22.4% 20.4%
2099 22.5% 20.5%
2098 22.7% 20.6%
2097 22.8% 20.7%
2096 23% 20.8%
2095 23.1% 20.9%
2094 23.3% 21%
2093 23.4% 21.1%
2092 23.6% 21.2%
2091 23.8% 21.4%
2090 23.9% 21.5%
2089 24.1% 21.6%
2088 24.3% 21.8%
2087 24.5% 21.9%
2086 24.7% 22.1%
2085 24.8% 22.2%
2084 25% 22.4%
2083 25.2% 22.6%
2082 25.4% 22.7%
2081 25.6% 22.9%
2080 25.8% 23.1%
2079 26% 23.3%
2078 26.2% 23.5%
2077 26.4% 23.7%
2076 26.6% 23.9%
2075 26.8% 24.1%
2074 27% 24.3%
2073 27.2% 24.5%
2072 27.4% 24.7%
2071 27.6% 25%
2070 27.8% 25.2%
2069 28% 25.4%
2068 28.2% 25.7%
2067 28.4% 25.9%
2066 28.7% 26.1%
2065 28.9% 26.4%
2064 29.2% 26.6%
2063 29.4% 26.9%
2062 29.7% 27.2%
2061 30% 27.4%
2060 30.3% 27.7%
2059 30.6% 28%
2058 30.9% 28.3%
2057 31.2% 28.6%
2056 31.5% 29%
2055 31.8% 29.3%
2054 32.1% 29.6%
2053 32.4% 30%
2052 32.7% 30.3%
2051 33% 30.7%
2050 33.3% 31.1%
2049 33.5% 31.5%
2048 33.8% 31.8%
2047 34.1% 32.2%
2046 34.3% 32.6%
2045 34.6% 32.9%
2044 34.9% 33.3%
2043 35.2% 33.7%
2042 35.4% 34%
2041 35.7% 34.4%
2040 36% 34.7%
2039 36.3% 35%
2038 36.7% 35.4%
2037 37% 35.7%
2036 37.3% 36%
2035 37.6% 36.3%
2034 38% 36.6%
2033 38.4% 37%
2032 38.8% 37.4%
2031 39.2% 37.8%
2030 39.6% 38.3%
2029 40% 38.8%
2028 40.4% 39.3%
2027 40.8% 39.8%
2026 41.1% 40.3%
2025 41.4% 40.8%
2024 41.6% 41%
2023 41.8% 41.5%
2022 42.1% 42%
2021 42.4% 42.4%
2020 42.7% 42.8%
2019 42.9% 43.2%
2018 43.1% 43.6%
2017 43.2% 43.9%
2016 43.3% 44.1%
2015 43.4% 44.3%
2014 43.5% 44.4%
2013 43.6% 44.5%
2012 43.7% 44.5%
2011 43.8% 44.5%
2010 43.9% 44.4%
2009 44.1% 44.4%
2008 44.3% 44.3%
2007 44.4% 44.2%
2006 44.4% 44.1%
2005 44.6% 44%
2004 44.8% 43.9%
2003 44.9% 43.8%
2002 45.1% 43.8%
2001 45.3% 43.7%
2000 45.4% 43.7%
1999 45.6% 43.8%
1998 45.8% 43.9%
1997 45.9% 44.1%
1996 46% 44.2%
1995 45.9% 44.4%
1994 45.5% 44.6%
1993 45.7% 44.8%
1992 46.2% 45%
1991 46.2% 45.2%
1990 46.1% 45.3%
1989 46.1% 45.5%
1988 46.1% 45.5%
1987 46% 45.6%
1986 45.9% 45.6%
1985 45.8% 45.5%
1984 45.7% 45.4%
1983 45.6% 45.2%
1982 45.5% 45%
1981 45.3% 44.8%
1980 45.2% 44.6%
1979 45.1% 44.4%
1978 45% 44.2%
1977 44.8% 43.9%
1976 44.7% 43.7%
1975 44.5% 43.4%
1974 44.3% 43.2%
1973 44.1% 43%
1972 43.8% 42.8%
1971 43.5% 42.5%
1970 43.2% 42.4%
1969 42.8% 42.2%
1968 42.5% 42%
1967 42.1% 41.8%
1966 41.6% 41.7%
1965 41.2% 41.5%
1964 40.8% 41.4%
1963 40.3% 41.2%
1962 39.9% 41.1%
1961 39.5% 41.1%
1960 39.1% 41.1%

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/nigeria | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 41% in Nigeria in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 45.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Nigeria compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Nigeria

Benin
Nigeria
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Nigeria
2023 518 993
2022 547 1,016
2021 584 1,046
2020 578 1,065
2019 572 1,091
2018 585 1,118
2017 592 1,142
2016 604 1,155
2015 606 1,168
2014 605 1,155
2013 607 1,146
2012 618 1,124
2011 613 1,108
2010 607 1,094
2009 598 1,088
2008 563 1,081
2007 501 1,063
2006 509 1,067
2005 514 1,060
2004 531 1,075
2003 532 1,090
2002 534 1,117
2001 532 1,130
2000 529 1,136
1999 536 1,165
1998 547 1,189
1997 556 1,184
1996 576 1,185
1995 586 1,186
1994 605 1,193
1993 591 1,200
1992 625 1,246
1991 666 1,282
1990 692 1,285
1989 732 1,304
1988 765 1,332
1987 817 1,351
1986 858 1,363
1985 910 1,344

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/nigeria | 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 993 deaths in Nigeria.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Nigeria

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Nigeria
2023 7.79% 10.5%
2022 8.04% 10.8%
2021 8.31% 11.1%
2020 8.55% 11.4%
2019 8.8% 11.8%
2018 9.05% 12%
2017 9.27% 12.3%
2016 9.5% 12.5%
2015 9.71% 12.6%
2014 9.93% 12.8%
2013 10.2% 12.9%
2012 10.4% 13.1%
2011 10.6% 13.3%
2010 10.8% 13.5%
2009 11.1% 13.8%
2008 11.3% 14.1%
2007 11.5% 14.5%
2006 11.8% 15%
2005 12.1% 15.5%
2004 12.4% 16%
2003 12.7% 16.5%
2002 13% 17.1%
2001 13.3% 17.7%
2000 13.6% 18.2%
1999 13.9% 18.8%
1998 14.3% 19.3%
1997 14.6% 19.7%
1996 14.9% 20.1%
1995 15.2% 20.4%
1994 15.6% 20.6%
1993 16% 20.7%
1992 16.4% 20.8%
1991 16.8% 20.9%
1990 17.2% 21%
1989 17.6% 21%
1988 18% 21%
1987 18.4% 20.9%
1986 18.8% 20.9%
1985 19.2% 20.8%
1984 19.6% 20.7%
1983 20% 20.7%
1982 20.4% 20.8%
1981 20.8% 21%
1980 21.2% 21.3%
1979 21.6% 21.8%
1978 22.1% 22.3%
1977 22.6% 22.9%
1976 23.1% 23.6%
1975 23.7% 24.4%
1974 24.2% 25.2%
1973 24.7% 26.1%
1972 25.2% 26.9%
1971 25.7% 27.7%
1970 26.1% 28.5%
1969 26.6% 29.3%
1968 27% 30%
1967 27.5% 30.7%
1966 28% 31.3%
1965 28.5% 32%
1964 29.1% 32.7%
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/nigeria | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 10.5% in Nigeria. 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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