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Fertility & birth rates in Burkina Faso and DR Congo

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has an annual birth rate of 31.6 births per 1,000 people, compared to 41.3 for the DR Congo. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.19 in Burkina Faso and 6.05 in the DR Congo — 44.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 33% in Burkina Faso and by 0.88% in the DR Congo — in 1960, it was 6.25 and 6.11, respectively.

  • Burkina Faso is ranked 24/196 by birth rate compared to 5/196 for the DR Congo.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.1 years in Burkina Faso, compared to 19.9 years in the DR Congo.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.1 in Burkina Faso — it's 30.1 in the DR Congo.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 87.1 in Burkina Faso vs 106.9 in the DR Congo.
  • In Burkina Faso, 24.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 22.3% in the DR Congo.

Fertility rate in Burkina Faso vs DR Congo by year

Burkina Faso
DR Congo
1x
Year Fertility rate
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2023 4.19 6.05
2022 4.28 6.11
2021 4.36 6.16
2020 4.44 6.21
2019 4.68 6.25
2018 4.92 6.3
2017 5.17 6.35
2016 5.33 6.39
2015 5.48 6.44
2014 5.6 6.48
2013 5.7 6.53
2012 5.79 6.56
2011 5.87 6.58
2010 5.94 6.59
2009 5.99 6.59
2008 6.05 6.58
2007 6.11 6.56
2006 6.17 6.55
2005 6.18 6.53
2004 6.22 6.53
2003 6.28 6.55
2002 6.34 6.61
2001 6.43 6.66
2000 6.52 6.7
1999 6.59 6.69
1998 6.66 6.7
1997 6.72 6.69
1996 6.78 6.67
1995 6.81 6.68
1994 6.84 6.64
1993 6.89 6.64
1992 6.94 6.64
1991 6.97 6.65
1990 7.01 6.65
1989 7.05 6.65
1988 7.11 6.66
1987 7.17 6.65
1986 7.22 6.63
1985 7.24 6.61
1984 7.25 6.59
1983 7.25 6.56
1982 7.25 6.54
1981 7.26 6.52
1980 7.22 6.5
1979 7.19 6.48
1978 7.15 6.46
1977 7.05 6.45
1976 6.95 6.44
1975 6.91 6.42
1974 6.84 6.4
1973 6.77 6.39
1972 6.72 6.37
1971 6.7 6.34
1970 6.69 6.33
1969 6.66 6.3
1968 6.65 6.29
1967 6.59 6.27
1966 6.53 6.24
1965 6.47 6.21
1964 6.42 6.19
1963 6.36 6.16
1962 6.32 6.14
1961 6.29 6.12
1960 6.25 6.11

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Burkina Faso was 4.19 children per woman in 2023, compared to 6.05 in the DR Congo in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Burkina Faso vs the DR Congo population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Burkina Faso
DR Congo
1x
Year Natural population change
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2023 545,227 3,467,787
2022 538,146 3,347,664
2021 527,468 3,227,992
2020 524,359 3,156,152
2019 540,001 3,075,538
2018 556,493 2,993,184
2017 569,975 2,883,245
2016 571,519 2,753,687
2015 570,554 2,665,016
2014 563,218 2,580,251
2013 556,096 2,489,378
2012 544,293 2,405,462
2011 530,765 2,310,679
2010 515,480 2,212,255
2009 499,596 2,126,912
2008 485,223 2,044,210
2007 467,277 1,963,738
2006 450,357 1,889,398
2005 427,243 1,800,300
2004 408,567 1,731,022
2003 394,516 1,679,188
2002 377,333 1,631,597
2001 367,731 1,594,999
2000 356,657 1,549,518
1999 342,630 1,450,318
1998 333,196 1,375,130
1997 322,253 1,392,037
1996 315,820 1,380,490
1995 305,878 1,395,440
1994 296,465 1,259,539
1993 289,044 1,209,242
1992 284,622 1,152,781
1991 280,111 1,114,033
1990 273,846 1,063,508
1989 267,314 1,027,238
1988 262,065 995,278
1987 257,730 959,875
1986 252,922 925,334
1985 246,574 885,670
1984 237,838 844,956
1983 228,467 807,122
1982 220,896 774,823
1981 212,623 748,371
1980 205,248 724,111
1979 196,647 691,773
1978 187,019 646,411
1977 175,672 638,242
1976 165,224 624,147
1975 157,174 608,655
1974 149,231 593,539
1973 141,751 578,280
1972 135,756 564,495
1971 130,924 549,343
1970 127,814 533,300
1969 123,666 514,800
1968 121,264 497,682
1967 117,223 479,552
1966 113,344 463,397
1965 109,544 429,002
1964 105,741 406,334
1963 101,760 398,972
1962 98,561 383,406
1961 95,059 368,207
1960 92,055 363,517

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | 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 +2.37% in Burkina Faso and +3.28% in the DR Congo.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.68% in Burkina Faso and +3.29% in the DR Congo.

Birth rate in Burkina Faso vs DR Congo by year

Burkina Faso
DR Congo

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2023 31.6 41.3
2022 32 41.6
2021 32.4 41.9
2020 32.7 42.2
2019 34.3 42.5
2018 36 42.9
2017 37.7 43
2016 38.9 42.9
2015 40 43.2
2014 40.9 43.5
2013 41.7 43.7
2012 42.3 44
2011 42.8 44
2010 43.2 43.9
2009 43.5 44
2008 43.9 44
2007 44.2 44
2006 44.4 44
2005 44.1 43.7
2004 44.1 43.8
2003 44.5 44.2
2002 44.5 44.6
2001 44.9 45
2000 45.2 45.3
1999 45.2 45.2
1998 45.6 44.9
1997 45.9 46
1996 46.1 47
1995 46 47.2
1994 46 45.3
1993 46.2 45.9
1992 46.6 45.7
1991 47 46
1990 47.1 45.9
1989 47.3 46.1
1988 47.7 46.4
1987 48.2 46.5
1986 48.6 46.6
1985 48.9 46.5
1984 48.9 46.2
1983 48.9 46.1
1982 49.1 46
1981 49.4 46.1
1980 49.4 46.1
1979 49.5 45.8
1978 49.3 45.4
1977 48.8 45.9
1976 48.4 46.2
1975 48.2 46.4
1974 48 46.6
1973 47.8 46.9
1972 47.6 47.1
1971 47.6 47.4
1970 47.7 47.6
1969 47.8 47.7
1968 47.9 47.8
1967 47.7 47.9
1966 47.5 47.9
1965 47.3 47.8
1964 47.1 47.7
1963 46.8 47.5
1962 46.6 47.4
1961 46.4 47.2
1960 46.2 47.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 31.6 in Burkina Faso and 41.3 in the DR Congo, compared with 46.2 and 47.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Burkina Faso DR Congo
Fertility rate 4.19 6.05
Fertility rate rank 22/196 4/196
Birth rate 31.6 41.3
Birth rate rank 24/196 5/196
Population change due to births and deaths +545,227 +3,467,787
Natural population change rank 36/196 4/196
Natural population change rate +2.37% +3.28%
Population growth +2.27% +3.3%
Population growth rank 39/197 11/197
Age at first childbirth 20.1 years 19.9 years
Average age at childbearing 29.1 years 30.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 82.8 103.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 182.4 244.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 64.8 106.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.5% 22.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 31.3% 17.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 79.8% 85.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.24% 0.43%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.45% 2.53%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.48% 4.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.73% 7.32%
Life expectancy 61.6 years 62.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Burkina Faso
Factual

UN forecast
DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2100 20.1% 23.4%
2099 20.2% 23.6%
2098 20.3% 23.8%
2097 20.3% 24%
2096 20.4% 24.2%
2095 20.6% 24.4%
2094 20.7% 24.6%
2093 20.8% 24.8%
2092 20.9% 25%
2091 21% 25.2%
2090 21.2% 25.4%
2089 21.3% 25.6%
2088 21.4% 25.8%
2087 21.6% 26.1%
2086 21.8% 26.3%
2085 21.9% 26.5%
2084 22.1% 26.8%
2083 22.2% 27%
2082 22.4% 27.2%
2081 22.6% 27.5%
2080 22.8% 27.8%
2079 23% 28%
2078 23.1% 28.3%
2077 23.3% 28.6%
2076 23.5% 28.9%
2075 23.7% 29.2%
2074 23.9% 29.5%
2073 24.1% 29.8%
2072 24.3% 30.1%
2071 24.5% 30.4%
2070 24.7% 30.7%
2069 24.9% 31.1%
2068 25.1% 31.4%
2067 25.3% 31.7%
2066 25.5% 32.1%
2065 25.7% 32.4%
2064 26% 32.8%
2063 26.2% 33.1%
2062 26.5% 33.5%
2061 26.8% 33.8%
2060 27.1% 34.1%
2059 27.4% 34.5%
2058 27.7% 34.8%
2057 28% 35.1%
2056 28.3% 35.5%
2055 28.7% 35.8%
2054 29% 36.1%
2053 29.4% 36.5%
2052 29.7% 36.8%
2051 30.1% 37.1%
2050 30.4% 37.5%
2049 30.8% 37.8%
2048 31.2% 38.2%
2047 31.5% 38.6%
2046 31.9% 39%
2045 32.2% 39.4%
2044 32.6% 39.8%
2043 32.9% 40.2%
2042 33.2% 40.6%
2041 33.5% 41.1%
2040 33.9% 41.5%
2039 34.2% 42%
2038 34.5% 42.4%
2037 34.9% 42.8%
2036 35.2% 43.2%
2035 35.5% 43.6%
2034 35.9% 44%
2033 36.4% 44.3%
2032 36.9% 44.6%
2031 37.5% 44.9%
2030 38.2% 45.2%
2029 38.9% 45.4%
2028 39.5% 45.6%
2027 40.2% 45.8%
2026 40.9% 45.9%
2025 41.5% 46%
2024 41.8% 46%
2023 42.4% 46.1%
2022 43% 46.1%
2021 43.5% 46.1%
2020 44% 46.1%
2019 44.5% 46%
2018 44.9% 45.9%
2017 45.1% 45.8%
2016 45.3% 45.9%
2015 45.5% 46%
2014 45.6% 46%
2013 45.6% 46%
2012 45.6% 46%
2011 45.6% 46%
2010 45.6% 46.1%
2009 45.5% 46.1%
2008 45.4% 46%
2007 45.4% 46%
2006 45.4% 45.9%
2005 45.5% 45.9%
2004 45.6% 45.9%
2003 45.8% 45.8%
2002 46% 45.7%
2001 46.3% 45.7%
2000 46.6% 45.7%
1999 46.8% 45.6%
1998 47% 45.6%
1997 47.2% 45.4%
1996 47.2% 44.7%
1995 47.3% 44%
1994 47.3% 44.1%
1993 47.3% 44.5%
1992 47.3% 44.5%
1991 47.1% 44.4%
1990 46.9% 44.4%
1989 46.8% 44.3%
1988 46.6% 44.3%
1987 46.3% 44.2%
1986 46.1% 44.1%
1985 45.8% 44.1%
1984 45.6% 44.1%
1983 45.4% 44.2%
1982 45.2% 44.3%
1981 44.9% 44.3%
1980 44.7% 44.2%
1979 44.5% 44.3%
1978 44.2% 44.5%
1977 44% 44.6%
1976 43.8% 44.5%
1975 43.6% 44.3%
1974 43.4% 44.2%
1973 43.1% 44%
1972 42.9% 43.8%
1971 42.6% 43.6%
1970 42.4% 43.4%
1969 42.1% 43.3%
1968 41.8% 43.2%
1967 41.5% 43%
1966 41.2% 42.9%
1965 40.9% 42.8%
1964 40.5% 42.7%
1963 40.2% 42.7%
1962 39.9% 42.7%
1961 39.9% 42.8%
1960 39.9% 42.9%

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/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.8% of the population in Burkina Faso and 46% in the DR Congo in 2024, compared to 46.9% and 44.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Burkina Faso and the DR Congo compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Burkina Faso vs DR Congo

Burkina Faso
DR Congo
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2023 242 427
2022 316 456
2021 354 507
2020 334 489
2019 274 493
2018 286 508
2017 298 519
2016 313 526
2015 328 545
2014 344 558
2013 361 567
2012 376 578
2011 388 589
2010 404 601
2009 419 608
2008 429 620
2007 453 631
2006 463 619
2005 467 613
2004 481 607
2003 495 605
2002 508 601
2001 513 588
2000 524 585
1999 547 601
1998 567 605
1997 610 617
1996 605 661
1995 629 644
1994 651 656
1993 677 683
1992 703 709
1991 732 735
1990 759 755
1989 787 791
1988 806 824
1987 820 863
1986 834 902
1985 850 934

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 242 deaths per 100,000 live births in Burkina Faso, compared to 427 deaths in the DR Congo.

Under-five mortality rates

Burkina Faso
DR Congo

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2023 7.73% 7.32%
2022 7.99% 7.57%
2021 8.25% 7.81%
2020 8.53% 8.07%
2019 8.82% 8.35%
2018 9.12% 8.63%
2017 9.43% 8.93%
2016 9.77% 9.23%
2015 10.1% 9.56%
2014 10.5% 9.9%
2013 10.9% 10.3%
2012 11.3% 10.6%
2011 11.7% 11%
2010 12.2% 11.4%
2009 12.7% 11.8%
2008 13.3% 12.2%
2007 13.9% 12.7%
2006 14.6% 13.1%
2005 15.2% 13.6%
2004 15.9% 14.1%
2003 16.4% 14.6%
2002 16.9% 15%
2001 17.4% 15.5%
2000 17.8% 15.9%
1999 18.2% 16.3%
1998 18.5% 16.7%
1997 18.9% 17%
1996 19.2% 17.3%
1995 19.4% 17.5%
1994 19.6% 17.7%
1993 19.7% 17.9%
1992 19.7% 18.1%
1991 19.8% 18.3%
1990 19.8% 18.5%
1989 20% 18.8%
1988 20.2% 19%
1987 20.6% 19.2%
1986 21% 19.5%
1985 21.4% 19.7%
1984 21.9% 20%
1983 22.3% 20.3%
1982 22.8% 20.6%
1981 23.3% 20.9%
1980 23.9% 21.2%
1979 24.6% 21.5%
1978 25.4% 21.9%
1977 26.3% 22.3%
1976 27.3% 22.6%
1975 28.4% 23%
1974 29.3% 23.4%
1973 30.1% 23.7%
1972 30.7% 24%
1971 31.2% 24.3%
1970 31.5% 24.7%
1969 31.8% 25.1%
1968 32% -
1967 32.2% -
1966 32.5% -
1965 32.8% -
1964 33.1% -
1963 33.4% -
1962 33.7% -
1961 34.1% -
1960 34.5% -

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.73% in Burkina Faso and 7.32% in the DR Congo. 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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