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Fertility & birth rates in Botswana and Kenya

Updated on by Georank team

Botswana has an annual birth rate of 24.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 27.1 for Kenya. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.73 in Botswana and 3.21 in Kenya — 17.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 58.6% in Botswana and by 58.1% in Kenya — in 1960, it was 6.6 and 7.65, respectively.

  • Botswana is ranked 54/196 by birth rate compared to 43/196 for Kenya.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19 years in Botswana, compared to 20.3 years in Kenya.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Botswana — it's 28.2 in Kenya.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 53.8 in Botswana vs 56.3 in Kenya.
  • In Botswana, 27.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.4% in Kenya.

Fertility rate in Botswana vs Kenya by year

Botswana
Kenya
1x
Year Fertility rate
Botswana Kenya
2023 2.73 3.21
2022 2.79 3.26
2021 2.83 3.31
2020 2.86 3.36
2019 2.91 3.43
2018 2.94 3.54
2017 2.97 3.61
2016 2.99 3.69
2015 3.01 3.77
2014 3.03 3.84
2013 3.05 3.96
2012 3.07 4.12
2011 3.1 4.28
2010 3.14 4.45
2009 3.13 4.57
2008 3.13 4.66
2007 3.13 4.72
2006 3.11 4.75
2005 3.08 4.8
2004 3.06 4.86
2003 3.11 4.94
2002 3.18 5.03
2001 3.25 5.09
2000 3.29 5.14
1999 3.31 5.18
1998 3.36 5.24
1997 3.43 5.27
1996 3.57 5.31
1995 3.79 5.37
1994 4.02 5.44
1993 4.15 5.57
1992 4.26 5.74
1991 4.37 5.94
1990 4.51 6.14
1989 4.67 6.33
1988 4.88 6.52
1987 5.1 6.69
1986 5.33 6.84
1985 5.48 6.96
1984 5.63 7.08
1983 5.79 7.22
1982 5.97 7.35
1981 6.16 7.45
1980 6.29 7.53
1979 6.4 7.6
1978 6.48 7.67
1977 6.54 7.73
1976 6.6 7.77
1975 6.61 7.8
1974 6.61 7.82
1973 6.59 7.86
1972 6.56 7.89
1971 6.54 7.92
1970 6.55 7.94
1969 6.56 7.95
1968 6.58 7.95
1967 6.6 7.95
1966 6.61 7.96
1965 6.6 7.92
1964 6.61 7.87
1963 6.58 7.82
1962 6.54 7.77
1961 6.56 7.72
1960 6.6 7.65

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Botswana was 2.73 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.21 in Kenya in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Botswana vs Kenya population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Botswana
Kenya
1x
Year Natural population change
Botswana Kenya
2023 47,098 1,100,970
2022 47,400 1,092,102
2021 40,894 1,037,082
2020 45,610 1,036,253
2019 45,110 1,071,777
2018 44,171 1,097,075
2017 43,154 1,105,769
2016 41,993 1,108,801
2015 40,897 1,119,200
2014 40,046 1,123,333
2013 39,404 1,136,006
2012 39,202 1,161,548
2011 38,613 1,185,863
2010 38,101 1,199,786
2009 36,671 1,193,598
2008 35,433 1,174,818
2007 33,832 1,147,063
2006 31,340 1,113,357
2005 29,385 1,080,446
2004 27,481 1,048,590
2003 26,545 1,018,182
2002 26,163 992,044
2001 26,112 963,721
2000 25,850 928,357
1999 25,358 898,484
1998 25,397 875,511
1997 25,738 847,493
1996 26,847 827,326
1995 28,478 812,391
1994 30,664 792,702
1993 31,691 788,579
1992 31,995 785,018
1991 32,219 790,030
1990 33,015 789,087
1989 33,756 795,622
1988 34,564 785,652
1987 35,647 775,124
1986 36,203 755,606
1985 35,966 732,739
1984 35,530 709,639
1983 35,142 684,587
1982 34,859 663,109
1981 34,327 642,379
1980 33,934 616,390
1979 32,486 595,390
1978 30,596 574,695
1977 29,009 554,124
1976 27,497 536,740
1975 25,762 517,579
1974 24,160 500,008
1973 22,449 485,556
1972 21,004 472,557
1971 19,926 459,897
1970 19,438 443,065
1969 19,024 427,819
1968 18,725 411,948
1967 18,463 396,920
1966 18,250 382,891
1965 18,045 366,444
1964 17,634 349,322
1963 17,084 332,763
1962 16,507 315,797
1961 16,185 298,463
1960 15,861 280,032

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | 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 +1.9% in Botswana and +1.99% in Kenya.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.88% in Botswana and +2.16% in Kenya.

Birth rate in Botswana vs Kenya by year

Botswana
Kenya

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Botswana Kenya
2023 24.7 27.1
2022 25.3 27.3
2021 25.4 27.6
2020 25.5 27.8
2019 25.8 28.2
2018 25.9 29
2017 26.1 29.6
2016 26.3 30.2
2015 26.5 30.9
2014 26.8 31.5
2013 27.2 32.4
2012 27.7 33.7
2011 28 35
2010 28.4 36.3
2009 28.4 37.2
2008 28.4 37.9
2007 28.3 38.3
2006 28.1 38.5
2005 27.7 38.8
2004 27.3 39.1
2003 27.4 39.5
2002 27.6 39.9
2001 27.9 40.2
2000 27.9 40.2
1999 27.7 40.3
1998 27.7 40.6
1997 27.9 40.5
1996 28.6 40.6
1995 29.9 40.8
1994 31.3 40.9
1993 31.9 41.4
1992 32.4 42.1
1991 32.8 43.1
1990 33.6 43.9
1989 34.5 44.9
1988 35.8 45.6
1987 37.2 46.3
1986 38.5 46.6
1985 39.4 46.9
1984 40.2 47.2
1983 41.2 47.4
1982 42.3 47.8
1981 43.4 48.2
1980 44.7 48.2
1979 44.7 48.6
1978 45.1 48.9
1977 45.8 49.2
1976 46.2 49.6
1975 46.2 49.8
1974 46.1 50.2
1973 45.7 50.8
1972 45.5 51.5
1971 45.5 52.2
1970 45.7 52.5
1969 45.5 53.1
1968 45.5 53.5
1967 45.5 54.1
1966 45.6 54.6
1965 45.8 54.9
1964 45.8 55.1
1963 45.9 55.3
1962 46 55.4
1961 46.6 55.4
1960 47.1 55.2

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 24.7 in Botswana and 27.1 in Kenya, compared with 47.1 and 55.2, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Botswana Kenya
Fertility rate 2.73 3.21
Fertility rate rank 63/196 51/196
Birth rate 24.7 27.1
Birth rate rank 54/196 43/196
Population change due to births and deaths +47,098 +1,100,970
Natural population change rank 98/196 18/196
Natural population change rate +1.9% +1.99%
Population growth +1.65% +1.98%
Population growth rank 66/197 53/197
Age at first childbirth 19 years 20.3 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 28.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 51.7 51.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 129.4 168.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 44 46.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27.5% 26.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 42.1% 56.9%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.8% 70.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.16% 0.15%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.09% 2.15%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.82% 3.47%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.96% 3.99%
Life expectancy 69.6 years 64.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Botswana
Factual

UN forecast
Kenya
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Botswana Kenya
2100 16.9% 18.9%
2099 16.9% 19%
2098 17% 19.1%
2097 17.1% 19.2%
2096 17.2% 19.3%
2095 17.3% 19.5%
2094 17.4% 19.6%
2093 17.5% 19.7%
2092 17.5% 19.8%
2091 17.6% 19.9%
2090 17.7% 20%
2089 17.8% 20.1%
2088 17.8% 20.2%
2087 17.9% 20.4%
2086 18% 20.5%
2085 18.1% 20.7%
2084 18.2% 20.8%
2083 18.2% 21%
2082 18.3% 21.1%
2081 18.4% 21.3%
2080 18.5% 21.5%
2079 18.6% 21.7%
2078 18.7% 21.9%
2077 18.9% 22.1%
2076 19% 22.3%
2075 19.1% 22.5%
2074 19.3% 22.7%
2073 19.4% 22.9%
2072 19.6% 23.1%
2071 19.8% 23.3%
2070 20% 23.5%
2069 20.2% 23.7%
2068 20.3% 23.8%
2067 20.5% 24%
2066 20.7% 24.2%
2065 20.9% 24.4%
2064 21.1% 24.6%
2063 21.3% 24.8%
2062 21.5% 25%
2061 21.7% 25.2%
2060 21.8% 25.4%
2059 22% 25.6%
2058 22.2% 25.9%
2057 22.4% 26.1%
2056 22.5% 26.4%
2055 22.7% 26.7%
2054 22.9% 27%
2053 23% 27.3%
2052 23.2% 27.6%
2051 23.4% 28%
2050 23.6% 28.4%
2049 23.9% 28.7%
2048 24.1% 29.1%
2047 24.4% 29.5%
2046 24.7% 29.8%
2045 25% 30.2%
2044 25.3% 30.6%
2043 25.7% 30.9%
2042 26.1% 31.2%
2041 26.5% 31.5%
2040 26.9% 31.8%
2039 27.4% 32.1%
2038 27.9% 32.4%
2037 28.3% 32.6%
2036 29% 32.8%
2035 29.4% 33%
2034 29.8% 33.3%
2033 30.1% 33.5%
2032 30.5% 33.8%
2031 30.8% 34%
2030 31.1% 34.4%
2029 31.3% 34.7%
2028 31.5% 35%
2027 31.7% 35.5%
2026 31.9% 36%
2025 32% 36.5%
2024 32.1% 36.8%
2023 32.3% 37.4%
2022 32.4% 38.1%
2021 32.6% 38.7%
2020 32.9% 39.3%
2019 33.3% 39.9%
2018 33.6% 40.5%
2017 33.9% 41%
2016 34.2% 41.5%
2015 34.4% 42%
2014 34.4% 42.4%
2013 34.4% 42.8%
2012 34.2% 43.2%
2011 34% 43.4%
2010 34.1% 43.6%
2009 34.2% 43.8%
2008 34.5% 43.9%
2007 34.8% 44%
2006 35.1% 44.2%
2005 35.5% 44.4%
2004 35.9% 44.6%
2003 36.5% 45%
2002 37.1% 45.3%
2001 37.7% 45.7%
2000 38.4% 46.1%
1999 39.1% 46.5%
1998 39.8% 46.8%
1997 40.6% 47.1%
1996 41.4% 47.4%
1995 42.2% 47.7%
1994 43% 48%
1993 43.7% 48.4%
1992 44.2% 48.7%
1991 44.7% 48.9%
1990 45.1% 49.2%
1989 45.5% 49.5%
1988 45.8% 49.7%
1987 46% 49.9%
1986 46.1% 50.1%
1985 46.2% 50.3%
1984 46.2% 50.6%
1983 46.2% 50.8%
1982 46.2% 51.1%
1981 46.2% 51.3%
1980 46.1% 51.5%
1979 46% 51.7%
1978 46.5% 51.9%
1977 47% 52%
1976 47.3% 52.1%
1975 47.7% 52%
1974 48.2% 52%
1973 48.6% 52%
1972 49.1% 51.9%
1971 49.3% 51.7%
1970 49.2% 51.6%
1969 48.9% 51.4%
1968 48.6% 51.2%
1967 48.2% 50.9%
1966 47.9% 50.6%
1965 47.5% 50.2%
1964 47.2% 49.8%
1963 46.8% 49.7%
1962 46.2% 49.4%
1961 45.6% 49.1%
1960 45.1% 48.7%

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/botswana/kenya | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 32.1% of the population in Botswana and 36.8% in Kenya in 2024, compared to 45.1% and 49.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Botswana and Kenya compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Botswana vs Kenya

Botswana
Kenya
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Botswana Kenya
2023 155 149
2022 120 155
2021 165 183
2020 98 184
2019 100 176
2018 99 183
2017 46 186
2016 72 196
2015 141 203
2014 212 203
2013 221 206
2012 288 214
2011 269 209
2010 228 210
2009 213 208
2008 199 197
2007 201 198
2006 204 188
2005 166 178
2004 151 177
2003 142 177
2002 140 182
2001 138 188
2000 136 206
1999 131 217
1998 126 250
1997 123 253
1996 130 275
1995 148 308
1994 182 342
1993 230 363
1992 263 419
1991 283 493
1990 296 586
1989 300 663
1988 319 756
1987 302 960
1986 304 1,059
1985 313 1,375

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 155 deaths per 100,000 live births in Botswana, compared to 149 deaths in Kenya.

Under-five mortality rates

Botswana
Kenya

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Botswana Kenya
2023 3.96% 3.99%
2022 4.07% 4.11%
2021 4.2% 4.19%
2020 4.39% 4.28%
2019 4.5% 4.33%
2018 4.59% 4.43%
2017 4.65% 4.53%
2016 4.9% 4.6%
2015 4.98% 4.74%
2014 5.11% 4.88%
2013 5.1% 5%
2012 5.34% 5.12%
2011 5.68% 5.22%
2010 5.58% 5.35%
2009 5.78% 5.54%
2008 6.03% 5.82%
2007 6.16% 6.32%
2006 6.43% 6.71%
2005 7.03% 7.15%
2004 7.63% 7.66%
2003 7.85% 8.16%
2002 8% 8.66%
2001 8.12% 9.16%
2000 8.11% 9.63%
1999 7.91% 10.1%
1998 7.57% 10.4%
1997 7.37% 10.7%
1996 7.1% 10.9%
1995 6.74% 11%
1994 6.72% 11%
1993 6.2% 10.9%
1992 5.7% 10.7%
1991 5.29% 10.5%
1990 5.01% 10.1%
1989 4.87% 9.85%
1988 4.88% 9.63%
1987 5% 9.51%
1986 5.22% 9.49%
1985 5.5% 9.57%
1984 5.8% 9.74%
1983 6.12% 9.98%
1982 6.47% 10.3%
1981 6.86% 10.6%
1980 7.29% 11%
1979 7.74% 11.4%
1978 8.23% 11.8%
1977 8.77% 12.2%
1976 9.32% 12.7%
1975 9.88% 13.1%
1974 10.4% 13.5%
1973 10.9% 14%
1972 11.4% 14.3%
1971 11.9% 14.7%
1970 12.4% 15%
1969 12.8% 15.4%
1968 13.2% 15.7%
1967 13.6% 16%
1966 14% 16.3%
1965 14.5% 16.6%
1964 14.9% 17%
1963 15.3% 17.5%
1962 15.8% 18.1%
1961 16.3% 18.8%
1960 16.8% 19.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/botswana/kenya | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.96% in Botswana and 3.99% in Kenya. 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) (2017–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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