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Fertility & birth rates in Benin and Zambia

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has an annual birth rate of 33.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33.1 for Zambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.56 in Benin and 4.1 in Zambia — 9.99% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 27.5% in Benin and by 41% in Zambia — in 1960, it was 6.28 and 6.95, respectively.

  • Benin is ranked 14/196 by birth rate compared to 19/196 for Zambia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.5 years in Benin, compared to 19.2 years in Zambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Benin — it's 28.3 in Zambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 77.8 in Benin vs 115.9 in Zambia.
  • In Benin, 23.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Zambia.

Fertility rate in Benin vs Zambia by year

Benin
Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Zambia
2023 4.56 4.1
2022 4.63 4.18
2021 4.71 4.25
2020 4.8 4.32
2019 4.9 4.42
2018 5.03 4.49
2017 5.16 4.57
2016 5.25 4.67
2015 5.32 4.78
2014 5.37 4.89
2013 5.41 5.01
2012 5.43 5.14
2011 5.44 5.26
2010 5.45 5.36
2009 5.49 5.45
2008 5.55 5.53
2007 5.63 5.61
2006 5.67 5.68
2005 5.69 5.7
2004 5.72 5.7
2003 5.76 5.71
2002 5.79 5.77
2001 5.85 5.85
2000 5.94 5.92
1999 6.03 6
1998 6.14 6.07
1997 6.23 6.12
1996 6.28 6.18
1995 6.33 6.23
1994 6.42 6.26
1993 6.51 6.3
1992 6.59 6.35
1991 6.67 6.46
1990 6.74 6.57
1989 6.82 6.64
1988 6.87 6.7
1987 6.92 6.8
1986 6.96 6.87
1985 7 6.93
1984 7.03 6.97
1983 7.05 7.01
1982 7.06 7.04
1981 7.06 7.07
1980 6.99 7.14
1979 6.91 7.22
1978 6.82 7.29
1977 6.83 7.35
1976 6.83 7.39
1975 6.83 7.42
1974 6.82 7.36
1973 6.81 7.34
1972 6.8 7.3
1971 6.77 7.26
1970 6.74 7.22
1969 6.71 7.18
1968 6.67 7.18
1967 6.64 7.15
1966 6.63 7.14
1965 6.61 7.12
1964 6.57 7.09
1963 6.51 7.06
1962 6.46 7.01
1961 6.4 6.98
1960 6.28 6.95

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/zambia | 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 4.1 in Zambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Benin
Zambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Benin Zambia
2023 353,933 577,660
2022 349,518 563,456
2021 341,103 535,629
2020 341,929 536,484
2019 339,817 528,089
2018 340,270 515,644
2017 339,763 504,630
2016 336,559 497,521
2015 330,573 491,021
2014 323,753 483,663
2013 315,804 476,846
2012 306,180 469,406
2011 296,348 459,743
2010 287,703 448,337
2009 280,204 434,458
2008 274,242 419,560
2007 271,305 403,729
2006 265,040 387,891
2005 253,795 368,756
2004 245,630 349,352
2003 237,962 331,189
2002 229,472 316,041
2001 222,877 302,682
2000 218,013 293,186
1999 213,074 283,297
1998 208,342 275,568
1997 203,182 268,198
1996 197,643 262,468
1995 194,481 257,897
1994 196,637 252,023
1993 179,858 245,917
1992 173,794 239,953
1991 168,174 237,957
1990 163,055 235,835
1989 157,235 233,429
1988 153,580 230,118
1987 147,783 227,813
1986 142,039 224,768
1985 136,621 221,351
1984 131,590 216,695
1983 126,349 212,712
1982 122,748 207,621
1981 118,634 202,822
1980 112,969 198,817
1979 106,782 197,578
1978 100,762 194,933
1977 97,200 191,557
1976 93,141 186,762
1975 89,350 182,258
1974 85,623 174,484
1973 82,422 168,258
1972 79,415 161,648
1971 76,034 155,249
1970 73,156 149,380
1969 70,155 142,660
1968 67,327 137,315
1967 64,709 131,938
1966 62,169 127,164
1965 60,154 122,814
1964 57,352 117,197
1963 54,514 114,555
1962 51,664 110,173
1961 48,838 106,318
1960 44,564 102,335

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/zambia | 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 +2.79% in Zambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.72% in Benin and +2.87% in Zambia.

Birth rate in Benin vs Zambia by year

Benin
Zambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Benin Zambia
2023 33.9 33.1
2022 34.4 33.5
2021 34.8 33.9
2020 35.3 34.4
2019 36 35
2018 37 35.5
2017 37.8 35.9
2016 38.6 36.6
2015 39 37.3
2014 39.3 38.1
2013 39.6 39
2012 39.7 39.9
2011 39.7 40.7
2010 39.8 41.4
2009 40 42
2008 40.4 42.6
2007 41 43.2
2006 41.3 43.7
2005 41.1 43.8
2004 41.3 43.9
2003 41.5 43.9
2002 41.5 44.3
2001 41.7 44.8
2000 42.1 45.5
1999 42.5 45.9
1998 43 46.2
1997 43.4 46.3
1996 43.7 46.6
1995 44.4 46.8
1994 45.7 46.7
1993 44.1 46.6
1992 44.9 46.6
1991 45.4 46.9
1990 45.7 47
1989 46 47.1
1988 46.6 47.1
1987 46.9 47.3
1986 47.1 47.4
1985 47.3 47.4
1984 47.6 47.3
1983 47.7 47.3
1982 48 47.3
1981 48.2 47.3
1980 47.9 47.5
1979 47.4 48.2
1978 46.9 48.7
1977 47 49.2
1976 47.1 49.5
1975 47.1 50
1974 47.2 49.7
1973 47.3 49.7
1972 47.4 49.6
1971 47.5 49.4
1970 47.5 49.3
1969 47.5 48.9
1968 47.5 48.9
1967 47.5 48.8
1966 47.7 48.8
1965 47.7 48.8
1964 47.6 48.9
1963 47.4 48.9
1962 47.1 48.9
1961 46.7 48.9
1960 45.8 48.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.9 in Benin and 33.1 in Zambia, compared with 45.8 and 48.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Benin Zambia
Fertility rate 4.56 4.1
Fertility rate rank 14/196 24/196
Birth rate 33.9 33.1
Birth rate rank 14/196 19/196
Population change due to births and deaths +353,933 +577,660
Natural population change rank 49/196 34/196
Natural population change rate +2.51% +2.79%
Population growth +2.49% +2.85%
Population growth rank 27/197 21/197
Age at first childbirth 20.5 years 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 28.3 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 74.6 115.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 216.3 176.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 68.7 64.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.9% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.9% 47.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.1% 80.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.52% 0.09%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.8% 2.2%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.64% 3.09%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.79% 4.47%
Life expectancy 61.3 years 66.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Benin
Factual

UN forecast
Zambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Benin Zambia
2100 22.4% 21.6%
2099 22.5% 21.7%
2098 22.7% 21.9%
2097 22.8% 22%
2096 23% 22.2%
2095 23.1% 22.3%
2094 23.3% 22.5%
2093 23.4% 22.7%
2092 23.6% 22.8%
2091 23.8% 23%
2090 23.9% 23.1%
2089 24.1% 23.3%
2088 24.3% 23.5%
2087 24.5% 23.6%
2086 24.7% 23.8%
2085 24.8% 24%
2084 25% 24.2%
2083 25.2% 24.3%
2082 25.4% 24.5%
2081 25.6% 24.7%
2080 25.8% 24.9%
2079 26% 25.1%
2078 26.2% 25.3%
2077 26.4% 25.5%
2076 26.6% 25.7%
2075 26.8% 25.9%
2074 27% 26.1%
2073 27.2% 26.4%
2072 27.4% 26.6%
2071 27.6% 26.8%
2070 27.8% 27%
2069 28% 27.2%
2068 28.2% 27.5%
2067 28.4% 27.7%
2066 28.7% 27.9%
2065 28.9% 28.1%
2064 29.2% 28.4%
2063 29.4% 28.6%
2062 29.7% 28.9%
2061 30% 29.1%
2060 30.3% 29.3%
2059 30.6% 29.6%
2058 30.9% 29.8%
2057 31.2% 30.1%
2056 31.5% 30.4%
2055 31.8% 30.6%
2054 32.1% 30.9%
2053 32.4% 31.2%
2052 32.7% 31.5%
2051 33% 31.8%
2050 33.3% 32.2%
2049 33.5% 32.5%
2048 33.8% 32.8%
2047 34.1% 33.2%
2046 34.3% 33.5%
2045 34.6% 33.9%
2044 34.9% 34.2%
2043 35.2% 34.6%
2042 35.4% 34.9%
2041 35.7% 35.3%
2040 36% 35.6%
2039 36.3% 36%
2038 36.7% 36.3%
2037 37% 36.6%
2036 37.3% 37%
2035 37.6% 37.3%
2034 38% 37.6%
2033 38.4% 38%
2032 38.8% 38.3%
2031 39.2% 38.7%
2030 39.6% 39%
2029 40% 39.4%
2028 40.4% 39.8%
2027 40.8% 40.3%
2026 41.1% 40.7%
2025 41.4% 41.2%
2024 41.6% 41.5%
2023 41.8% 42%
2022 42.1% 42.4%
2021 42.4% 42.9%
2020 42.7% 43.3%
2019 42.9% 43.8%
2018 43.1% 44.1%
2017 43.2% 44.5%
2016 43.3% 44.9%
2015 43.4% 45.2%
2014 43.5% 45.5%
2013 43.6% 45.7%
2012 43.7% 45.9%
2011 43.8% 46.1%
2010 43.9% 46.3%
2009 44.1% 46.4%
2008 44.3% 46.6%
2007 44.4% 46.8%
2006 44.4% 47%
2005 44.6% 47.1%
2004 44.8% 47.3%
2003 44.9% 47.4%
2002 45.1% 47.6%
2001 45.3% 47.8%
2000 45.4% 48%
1999 45.6% 48.1%
1998 45.8% 48.2%
1997 45.9% 48.2%
1996 46% 48.2%
1995 45.9% 48.2%
1994 45.5% 48.2%
1993 45.7% 48.2%
1992 46.2% 48.2%
1991 46.2% 48.3%
1990 46.1% 48.4%
1989 46.1% 48.5%
1988 46.1% 48.6%
1987 46% 48.7%
1986 45.9% 48.8%
1985 45.8% 48.9%
1984 45.7% 49%
1983 45.6% 49.1%
1982 45.5% 49.3%
1981 45.3% 49.4%
1980 45.2% 49.5%
1979 45.1% 49.5%
1978 45% 49.4%
1977 44.8% 49.2%
1976 44.7% 49.1%
1975 44.5% 48.8%
1974 44.3% 48.6%
1973 44.1% 48.3%
1972 43.8% 48%
1971 43.5% 47.7%
1970 43.2% 47.4%
1969 42.8% 47.2%
1968 42.5% 47.1%
1967 42.1% 47%
1966 41.6% 46.9%
1965 41.2% 46.9%
1964 40.8% 46.7%
1963 40.3% 46.5%
1962 39.9% 46.3%
1961 39.5% 46.2%
1960 39.1% 46%

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/zambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.6% of the population in Benin and 41.5% in Zambia in 2024, compared to 46.1% and 48.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Benin and Zambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Benin vs Zambia

Benin
Zambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Benin Zambia
2023 518 85
2022 547 89
2021 584 140
2020 578 99
2019 572 103
2018 585 117
2017 592 141
2016 604 158
2015 606 154
2014 605 174
2013 607 213
2012 618 256
2011 613 291
2010 607 332
2009 598 406
2008 563 394
2007 501 324
2006 509 262
2005 514 264
2004 531 260
2003 532 250
2002 534 274
2001 532 306
2000 529 340
1999 536 378
1998 547 392
1997 556 403
1996 576 433
1995 586 466
1994 605 507
1993 591 532
1992 625 581
1991 666 611
1990 692 625
1989 732 635
1988 765 635
1987 817 630
1986 858 619
1985 910 596

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/benin/zambia | 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 85 deaths in Zambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Benin
Zambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Benin Zambia
2023 7.79% 4.47%
2022 8.04% 4.67%
2021 8.31% 4.92%
2020 8.55% 5.24%
2019 8.8% 5.41%
2018 9.05% 5.52%
2017 9.27% 5.61%
2016 9.5% 5.9%
2015 9.71% 6.15%
2014 9.93% 6.38%
2013 10.2% 6.72%
2012 10.4% 7.04%
2011 10.6% 7.31%
2010 10.8% 7.57%
2009 11.1% 8%
2008 11.3% 8.62%
2007 11.5% 9.14%
2006 11.8% 9.71%
2005 12.1% 10.5%
2004 12.4% 11.4%
2003 12.7% 12.4%
2002 13% 13.4%
2001 13.3% 14.4%
2000 13.6% 15.3%
1999 13.9% 15.9%
1998 14.3% 16.3%
1997 14.6% 16.7%
1996 14.9% 17%
1995 15.2% 17.3%
1994 15.6% 17.7%
1993 16% 17.9%
1992 16.4% 18.1%
1991 16.8% 18.1%
1990 17.2% 18.1%
1989 17.6% 17.9%
1988 18% 17.7%
1987 18.4% 17.3%
1986 18.8% 17%
1985 19.2% 16.6%
1984 19.6% 16.2%
1983 20% 15.9%
1982 20.4% 15.7%
1981 20.8% 15.6%
1980 21.2% 15.5%
1979 21.6% 15.4%
1978 22.1% 15.3%
1977 22.6% 15.3%
1976 23.1% 15.4%
1975 23.7% 15.5%
1974 24.2% 15.9%
1973 24.7% 16.3%
1972 25.2% 16.9%
1971 25.7% 17.4%
1970 26.1% 17.9%
1969 26.6% 18.3%
1968 27% 18.5%
1967 27.5% 18.7%
1966 28% 18.9%
1965 28.5% 19%
1964 29.1% 19.2%
1963 29.6% 19.5%
1962 30.2% 19.8%
1961 30.7% 20.1%
1960 31.2% 20.5%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.79% in Benin and 4.47% in Zambia. 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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