Fertility & birth rates in Benin and South Africa

Fertility rate in Benin vs South Africa by year

Chart Table

Benin

South Africa

1x

Year	Fertility rate
	Benin	South Africa
2023	4.56	2.22
2022	4.63	2.23
2021	4.71	2.25
2020	4.8	2.26
2019	4.9	2.26
2018	5.03	2.27
2017	5.16	2.28
2016	5.25	2.26
2015	5.32	2.36
2014	5.37	2.42
2013	5.41	2.43
2012	5.43	2.45
2011	5.44	2.44
2010	5.45	2.44
2009	5.49	2.5
2008	5.55	2.68
2007	5.63	2.55
2006	5.67	2.55
2005	5.69	2.51
2004	5.72	2.44
2003	5.76	2.36
2002	5.79	2.32
2001	5.85	2.37
2000	5.94	2.41
1999	6.03	2.56
1998	6.14	2.63
1997	6.23	2.73
1996	6.28	2.99
1995	6.33	3.17
1994	6.42	3.26
1993	6.51	3.37
1992	6.59	3.48
1991	6.67	3.62
1990	6.74	3.72
1989	6.82	3.98
1988	6.87	4.18
1987	6.92	4.35
1986	6.96	4.41
1985	7	4.5
1984	7.03	4.57
1983	7.05	4.63
1982	7.06	4.7
1981	7.06	4.71
1980	6.99	4.78
1979	6.91	4.82
1978	6.82	4.85
1977	6.83	4.94
1976	6.83	5.07
1975	6.83	5.19
1974	6.82	5.3
1973	6.81	5.41
1972	6.8	5.49
1971	6.77	5.57
1970	6.74	5.63
1969	6.71	5.72
1968	6.67	5.78
1967	6.64	5.85
1966	6.63	5.91
1965	6.61	5.89
1964	6.57	5.96
1963	6.51	6.01
1962	6.46	6.05
1961	6.4	6.08
1960	6.28	6.11

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Benin was 4.56 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.22 in South Africa in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Chart Table

Benin

South Africa

1x

Year	Natural population change
	Benin	South Africa
2023	353,933	602,793
2022	349,518	603,636
2021	341,103	456,411
2020	341,929	595,873
2019	339,817	652,130
2018	340,270	648,319
2017	339,763	645,975
2016	336,559	641,365
2015	330,573	668,771
2014	323,753	674,754
2013	315,804	652,427
2012	306,180	643,723
2011	296,348	601,708
2010	287,703	566,834
2009	280,204	554,115
2008	274,242	595,332
2007	271,305	503,567
2006	265,040	487,584
2005	253,795	464,464
2004	245,630	442,540
2003	237,962	415,018
2002	229,472	430,926
2001	222,877	484,801
2000	218,013	526,963
1999	213,074	594,643
1998	208,342	627,027
1997	203,182	667,969
1996	197,643	710,868
1995	194,481	743,488
1994	196,637	698,609
1993	179,858	789,220
1992	173,794	794,415
1991	168,174	827,296
1990	163,055	835,421
1989	157,235	884,629
1988	153,580	909,221
1987	147,783	922,330
1986	142,039	903,644
1985	136,621	893,889
1984	131,590	869,011
1983	126,349	837,013
1982	122,748	807,550
1981	118,634	767,833
1980	112,969	738,415
1979	106,782	716,541
1978	100,762	694,341
1977	97,200	680,929
1976	93,141	675,011
1975	89,350	667,862
1974	85,623	658,438
1973	82,422	651,596
1972	79,415	638,754
1971	76,034	624,761
1970	73,156	605,102
1969	70,155	590,794
1968	67,327	571,841
1967	64,709	553,741
1966	62,169	534,862
1965	60,154	506,632
1964	57,352	490,606
1963	54,514	473,821
1962	51,664	455,634
1961	48,838	437,851
1960	44,564	421,263

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 +0.95% in South Africa.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +1.05% in South Africa.

Birth rate in Benin vs South Africa by year

Chart Table

Benin

South Africa

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x

Year	Annual births per 1,000 people
	Benin	South Africa
2023	33.9	18.8
2022	34.4	19.1
2021	34.8	19.4
2020	35.3	19.5
2019	36	19.7
2018	37	19.9
2017	37.8	20
2016	38.6	20.3
2015	39	21
2014	39.3	21.8
2013	39.6	21.9
2012	39.7	22.1
2011	39.7	22.1
2010	39.8	22.2
2009	40	22.8
2008	40.4	24.3
2007	41	23.1
2006	41.3	23.1
2005	41.1	22.7
2004	41.3	22.1
2003	41.5	21.4
2002	41.5	20.9
2001	41.7	21.3
2000	42.1	21.6
1999	42.5	22.7
1998	43	23.2
1997	43.4	23.9
1996	43.7	24.9
1995	44.4	25.6
1994	45.7	24.6
1993	44.1	26.6
1992	44.9	27
1991	45.4	28.1
1990	45.7	28.7
1989	46	30.6
1988	46.6	32
1987	46.9	33.2
1986	47.1	33.6
1985	47.3	34.2
1984	47.6	34.5
1983	47.7	34.6
1982	48	34.8
1981	48.2	34.6
1980	47.9	34.7
1979	47.4	34.9
1978	46.9	35.1
1977	47	35.6
1976	47.1	36.3
1975	47.1	37
1974	47.2	37.7
1973	47.3	38.4
1972	47.4	38.9
1971	47.5	39.3
1970	47.5	39.4
1969	47.5	39.7
1968	47.5	39.8
1967	47.5	39.9
1966	47.7	40
1965	47.7	39.5
1964	47.6	39.6
1963	47.4	39.7
1962	47.1	39.7
1961	46.7	39.7
1960	45.8	39.8

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 18.8 in South Africa, compared with 45.8 and 39.8, respectively, in 1960.

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Chart Table

Benin

Factual

UN forecast

South Africa

Factual

UN forecast

1x

Year	Young
	Benin	South Africa
2100	22.4%	17.9%
2099	22.5%	18%
2098	22.7%	18%
2097	22.8%	18.1%
2096	23%	18.1%
2095	23.1%	18.2%
2094	23.3%	18.2%
2093	23.4%	18.3%
2092	23.6%	18.3%
2091	23.8%	18.4%
2090	23.9%	18.4%
2089	24.1%	18.5%
2088	24.3%	18.5%
2087	24.5%	18.6%
2086	24.7%	18.6%
2085	24.8%	18.7%
2084	25%	18.7%
2083	25.2%	18.8%
2082	25.4%	18.9%
2081	25.6%	18.9%
2080	25.8%	19%
2079	26%	19%
2078	26.2%	19.1%
2077	26.4%	19.2%
2076	26.6%	19.3%
2075	26.8%	19.3%
2074	27%	19.4%
2073	27.2%	19.5%
2072	27.4%	19.6%
2071	27.6%	19.6%
2070	27.8%	19.7%
2069	28%	19.8%
2068	28.2%	19.9%
2067	28.4%	20%
2066	28.7%	20.1%
2065	28.9%	20.2%
2064	29.2%	20.3%
2063	29.4%	20.4%
2062	29.7%	20.5%
2061	30%	20.6%
2060	30.3%	20.7%
2059	30.6%	20.8%
2058	30.9%	20.9%
2057	31.2%	21%
2056	31.5%	21.1%
2055	31.8%	21.1%
2054	32.1%	21.2%
2053	32.4%	21.3%
2052	32.7%	21.4%
2051	33%	21.5%
2050	33.3%	21.6%
2049	33.5%	21.7%
2048	33.8%	21.8%
2047	34.1%	21.9%
2046	34.3%	22%
2045	34.6%	22.1%
2044	34.9%	22.3%
2043	35.2%	22.4%
2042	35.4%	22.6%
2041	35.7%	22.8%
2040	36%	23%
2039	36.3%	23.3%
2038	36.7%	23.5%
2037	37%	23.7%
2036	37.3%	24.1%
2035	37.6%	24.4%
2034	38%	24.7%
2033	38.4%	24.9%
2032	38.8%	25%
2031	39.2%	25.1%
2030	39.6%	25.2%
2029	40%	25.3%
2028	40.4%	25.4%
2027	40.8%	25.5%
2026	41.1%	25.6%
2025	41.4%	25.8%
2024	41.6%	25.9%
2023	41.8%	26.1%
2022	42.1%	26.3%
2021	42.4%	26.6%
2020	42.7%	27%
2019	42.9%	27.4%
2018	43.1%	27.9%
2017	43.2%	28.3%
2016	43.3%	28.3%
2015	43.4%	28.3%
2014	43.5%	28.5%
2013	43.6%	28.7%
2012	43.7%	28.9%
2011	43.8%	29.1%
2010	43.9%	29.4%
2009	44.1%	29.7%
2008	44.3%	29.9%
2007	44.4%	30.2%
2006	44.4%	30.6%
2005	44.6%	31.1%
2004	44.8%	31.6%
2003	44.9%	32.3%
2002	45.1%	33.2%
2001	45.3%	34%
2000	45.4%	34.9%
1999	45.6%	35.7%
1998	45.8%	36.5%
1997	45.9%	37.2%
1996	46%	37.5%
1995	45.9%	37.5%
1994	45.5%	37.2%
1993	45.7%	37.3%
1992	46.2%	37.6%
1991	46.2%	37.5%
1990	46.1%	37.7%
1989	46.1%	38.1%
1988	46.1%	38.4%
1987	46%	38.7%
1986	45.9%	38.9%
1985	45.8%	39.2%
1984	45.7%	39.5%
1983	45.6%	39.8%
1982	45.5%	40.1%
1981	45.3%	40.5%
1980	45.2%	40.9%
1979	45.1%	41.3%
1978	45%	41.5%
1977	44.8%	41.7%
1976	44.7%	41.8%
1975	44.5%	41.9%
1974	44.3%	42%
1973	44.1%	42.1%
1972	43.8%	42.2%
1971	43.5%	42.2%
1970	43.2%	42.3%
1969	42.8%	42.2%
1968	42.5%	42.2%
1967	42.1%	42.2%
1966	41.6%	42.1%
1965	41.2%	42.1%
1964	40.8%	42.1%
1963	40.3%	42.1%
1962	39.9%	42.1%
1961	39.5%	42.1%
1960	39.1%	42.1%

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 25.9% in South Africa in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 37.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and South Africa compared.

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs South Africa

Chart Table

Benin

South Africa

1x

Year	Maternal mortality per 100K births
	Benin	South Africa
2023	518	118
2022	547	129
2021	584	191
2020	578	118
2019	572	119
2018	585	128
2017	592	134
2016	604	141
2015	606	150
2014	605	162
2013	607	180
2012	618	194
2011	613	202
2010	607	226
2009	598	241
2008	563	272
2007	501	272
2006	509	283
2005	514	279
2004	531	259
2003	532	245
2002	534	225
2001	532	192
2000	529	175
1999	536	151
1998	547	152
1997	556	152
1996	576	150
1995	586	125
1994	605	133
1993	591	145
1992	625	152
1991	666	162
1990	692	170
1989	732	177
1988	765	184
1987	817	192
1986	858	200
1985	910	208

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 118 deaths in South Africa.

Under-five mortality rates

Chart Table

Benin

South Africa

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x

Year	Under 5 mortality rate
	Benin	South Africa
2023	7.79%	3.47%
2022	8.04%	3.44%
2021	8.31%	3.41%
2020	8.55%	3.41%
2019	8.8%	3.45%
2018	9.05%	3.49%
2017	9.27%	3.58%
2016	9.5%	3.68%
2015	9.71%	3.82%
2014	9.93%	3.96%
2013	10.2%	4.1%
2012	10.4%	4.25%
2011	10.6%	4.5%
2010	10.8%	5%
2009	11.1%	5.7%
2008	11.3%	6.42%
2007	11.5%	7.19%
2006	11.8%	7.75%
2005	12.1%	8.03%
2004	12.4%	8.1%
2003	12.7%	7.93%
2002	13%	7.69%
2001	13.3%	7.43%
2000	13.6%	7.11%
1999	13.9%	6.85%
1998	14.3%	6.56%
1997	14.6%	6.29%
1996	14.9%	6.11%
1995	15.2%	5.95%
1994	15.6%	5.82%
1993	16%	5.7%
1992	16.4%	5.66%
1991	16.8%	5.7%
1990	17.2%	5.82%
1989	17.6%	6.01%
1988	18%	6.26%
1987	18.4%	6.56%
1986	18.8%	6.89%
1985	19.2%	7.24%
1984	19.6%	7.6%
1983	20%	7.98%
1982	20.4%	8.39%
1981	20.8%	8.84%
1980	21.2%	9.35%
1979	21.6%	9.88%
1978	22.1%	10.5%
1977	22.6%	11.1%
1976	23.1%	11.8%
1975	23.7%	12.5%
1974	24.2%	13.2%
1973	24.7%	-
1972	25.2%	-
1971	25.7%	-
1970	26.1%	-
1969	26.6%	-
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%	-

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 3.47% in South Africa. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.