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Fertility & birth rates in Cameroon and Iraq

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has an annual birth rate of 33.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 25.7 for Iraq. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.32 in Cameroon and 3.25 in Iraq — 24.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 24.5% in Cameroon and by 38.7% in Iraq — in 1960, it was 5.73 and 5.3, respectively.

  • Cameroon is ranked 16/196 by birth rate compared to 51/196 for Iraq.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.4 in Cameroon — it's 28.6 in Iraq.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.7 in Cameroon vs 58 in Iraq.
  • In Cameroon, 24.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Iraq.

Fertility rate in Cameroon vs Iraq by year

Cameroon
Iraq
1x
Year Fertility rate
Cameroon Iraq
2023 4.32 3.25
2022 4.4 3.29
2021 4.47 3.36
2020 4.56 3.42
2019 4.65 3.48
2018 4.74 3.55
2017 4.8 3.64
2016 4.84 3.84
2015 4.84 4.08
2014 4.84 4.31
2013 4.91 4.44
2012 4.98 4.54
2011 5.05 4.59
2010 5.15 4.46
2009 5.24 4.38
2008 5.29 4.37
2007 5.34 4.4
2006 5.37 4.46
2005 5.42 4.45
2004 5.44 4.53
2003 5.43 4.58
2002 5.44 4.67
2001 5.44 4.8
2000 5.51 4.92
1999 5.6 5.04
1998 5.66 5.11
1997 5.71 5.19
1996 5.8 5.25
1995 5.92 5.36
1994 6.04 5.49
1993 6.16 5.61
1992 6.26 5.72
1991 6.32 5.83
1990 6.36 5.93
1989 6.41 5.99
1988 6.48 6.05
1987 6.54 6.11
1986 6.57 6.18
1985 6.56 6.25
1984 6.56 6.32
1983 6.58 6.39
1982 6.59 6.46
1981 6.61 6.53
1980 6.61 6.59
1979 6.58 6.66
1978 6.55 6.73
1977 6.51 6.8
1976 6.45 6.86
1975 6.4 6.91
1974 6.36 6.95
1973 6.33 6.99
1972 6.29 7.02
1971 6.26 7.06
1970 6.2 7.07
1969 6.14 7.08
1968 6.04 7.06
1967 5.95 7.03
1966 5.85 7.02
1965 5.8 7.02
1964 5.74 7.01
1963 5.73 7.01
1962 5.73 6.99
1961 5.73 5.8
1960 5.73 5.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Cameroon was 4.32 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.25 in Iraq in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Cameroon vs Iraq population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Cameroon
Iraq
1x
Year Natural population change
Cameroon Iraq
2023 754,486 973,420
2022 734,893 962,501
2021 713,806 941,924
2020 716,361 919,953
2019 714,681 942,972
2018 706,188 938,310
2017 696,496 924,507
2016 677,051 946,968
2015 649,190 1,007,561
2014 619,243 1,040,726
2013 606,072 1,026,036
2012 594,029 999,987
2011 580,607 971,082
2010 569,921 906,369
2009 557,841 855,096
2008 542,919 802,382
2007 526,949 784,119
2006 511,366 797,342
2005 496,547 776,603
2004 478,880 761,563
2003 459,422 746,159
2002 439,544 739,419
2001 422,511 729,704
2000 411,633 715,771
1999 401,969 702,170
1998 388,432 684,152
1997 377,138 667,582
1996 370,355 652,866
1995 367,532 642,977
1994 364,390 634,344
1993 360,785 606,700
1992 356,072 591,886
1991 350,493 550,146
1990 342,901 518,575
1989 334,649 496,852
1988 328,168 476,778
1987 320,134 488,742
1986 308,188 474,348
1985 296,317 467,445
1984 284,110 455,740
1983 276,112 439,800
1982 274,652 428,336
1981 262,076 416,998
1980 247,808 419,653
1979 238,875 428,458
1978 229,958 418,756
1977 222,785 410,229
1976 214,916 402,260
1975 206,986 385,916
1974 200,693 376,197
1973 193,997 373,191
1972 186,521 362,334
1971 179,317 351,464
1970 170,713 338,030
1969 162,603 324,792
1968 153,080 310,644
1967 144,370 298,192
1966 135,927 285,507
1965 129,428 274,551
1964 123,469 262,825
1963 119,784 254,046
1962 116,232 247,520
1961 82,471 184,792
1960 77,948 155,651

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | 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 +2.66% in Cameroon and +2.16% in Iraq.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.78% in Cameroon and +2.37% in Iraq.

Birth rate in Cameroon vs Iraq by year

Cameroon
Iraq

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Cameroon Iraq
2023 33.7 25.7
2022 34.3 26
2021 34.8 26.4
2020 35.4 26.8
2019 36.2 27.3
2018 36.9 27.7
2017 37.5 28.3
2016 37.8 29.8
2015 37.7 31.6
2014 37.5 33.3
2013 38.1 34.1
2012 38.7 34.8
2011 39.2 35.5
2010 39.8 34.6
2009 40.4 33.9
2008 40.7 33.6
2007 40.9 34.5
2006 41.1 35
2005 41.3 33.9
2004 41.3 34.3
2003 41.1 34.5
2002 40.8 34.8
2001 40.7 35.5
2000 40.9 36.1
1999 41.1 36.7
1998 41 37
1997 40.9 37.3
1996 41.2 37.5
1995 41.7 38
1994 42.2 38.6
1993 42.7 38.6
1992 43.1 39.5
1991 43.5 40
1990 43.6 40.6
1989 43.8 39.6
1988 44.3 39.4
1987 44.6 39
1986 44.8 39
1985 44.6 39.5
1984 44.7 39.6
1983 45.1 39.6
1982 46.1 39.9
1981 45.7 40.2
1980 45.4 40.5
1979 45.6 41
1978 45.4 41.4
1977 45.5 42.1
1976 45.3 42.8
1975 45.1 43.4
1974 45.1 44
1973 45.1 44.4
1972 45 44.9
1971 45.1 45.4
1970 44.9 45.6
1969 44.8 45.9
1968 44.4 46
1967 44.1 46.1
1966 43.7 46.4
1965 43.6 46.7
1964 43.4 47.1
1963 43.7 47.5
1962 43.9 47.9
1961 43.9 40
1960 43.8 36.7

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.7 in Cameroon and 25.7 in Iraq, compared with 43.8 and 36.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Cameroon Iraq
Fertility rate 4.32 3.25
Fertility rate rank 17/196 49/196
Birth rate 33.7 25.7
Birth rate rank 16/196 51/196
Population change due to births and deaths +754,486 +973,420
Natural population change rank 24/196 20/196
Natural population change rate +2.66% +2.16%
Population growth +2.65% +2.15%
Population growth rank 23/197 46/197
Age at first childbirth 20.1 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 28.4 years 28.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.5 56
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 193.2 162.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 66.4 44.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.5% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 15.4% 36.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 69% 95.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.26% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.52% 1.29%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.12% 2.08%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 6.72% 2.26%
Life expectancy 64.5 years 72.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Cameroon
Factual

UN forecast
Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Cameroon Iraq
2100 21.8% 18.2%
2099 21.9% 18.3%
2098 22.1% 18.4%
2097 22.2% 18.5%
2096 22.4% 18.6%
2095 22.6% 18.8%
2094 22.7% 18.9%
2093 22.9% 19%
2092 23.1% 19.1%
2091 23.3% 19.2%
2090 23.4% 19.4%
2089 23.6% 19.5%
2088 23.8% 19.7%
2087 24% 19.8%
2086 24.2% 19.9%
2085 24.4% 20.1%
2084 24.6% 20.3%
2083 24.8% 20.4%
2082 25% 20.6%
2081 25.2% 20.8%
2080 25.4% 20.9%
2079 25.6% 21.1%
2078 25.8% 21.3%
2077 26.1% 21.5%
2076 26.3% 21.6%
2075 26.5% 21.8%
2074 26.7% 22%
2073 26.9% 22.2%
2072 27.2% 22.3%
2071 27.4% 22.5%
2070 27.6% 22.7%
2069 27.8% 22.8%
2068 28.1% 23%
2067 28.3% 23.2%
2066 28.6% 23.4%
2065 28.8% 23.6%
2064 29.1% 23.8%
2063 29.3% 24%
2062 29.6% 24.2%
2061 29.9% 24.4%
2060 30.1% 24.6%
2059 30.4% 24.9%
2058 30.7% 25.1%
2057 31% 25.4%
2056 31.3% 25.7%
2055 31.5% 26%
2054 31.8% 26.3%
2053 32.1% 26.6%
2052 32.4% 26.9%
2051 32.7% 27.2%
2050 33% 27.5%
2049 33.3% 27.8%
2048 33.6% 28.1%
2047 33.9% 28.4%
2046 34.2% 28.7%
2045 34.5% 29%
2044 34.8% 29.3%
2043 35.1% 29.5%
2042 35.4% 29.8%
2041 35.7% 30%
2040 36% 30.3%
2039 36.4% 30.5%
2038 36.7% 30.7%
2037 37% 31%
2036 37.3% 31.2%
2035 37.7% 31.5%
2034 38.1% 31.7%
2033 38.5% 32%
2032 38.9% 32.3%
2031 39.3% 32.7%
2030 39.7% 33.2%
2029 40% 33.7%
2028 40.3% 34.4%
2027 40.6% 35.1%
2026 41% 35.7%
2025 41.3% 36.3%
2024 41.4% 36.6%
2023 41.8% 37.1%
2022 42.1% 37.6%
2021 42.3% 38.1%
2020 42.5% 38.5%
2019 42.7% 38.9%
2018 42.9% 39.3%
2017 43% 39.7%
2016 43% 40.1%
2015 43.2% 40.4%
2014 43.4% 40.6%
2013 43.5% 40.8%
2012 43.6% 41%
2011 43.7% 41.1%
2010 43.7% 41.2%
2009 43.8% 41.5%
2008 43.8% 41.8%
2007 43.9% 42.1%
2006 44% 42.3%
2005 44.1% 42.6%
2004 44.2% 42.9%
2003 44.3% 43.1%
2002 44.5% 43.3%
2001 44.7% 43.5%
2000 44.9% 43.7%
1999 45.1% 43.8%
1998 45.3% 44%
1997 45.5% 44.1%
1996 45.7% 44.3%
1995 45.9% 44.4%
1994 46% 44.6%
1993 46.1% 44.7%
1992 46.2% 44.9%
1991 46.2% 45%
1990 46.2% 45.2%
1989 46.1% 45.4%
1988 46.1% 45.6%
1987 46% 45.8%
1986 45.9% 46%
1985 45.8% 46.2%
1984 45.7% 46.3%
1983 45.6% 46.5%
1982 45% 46.6%
1981 44.6% 46.7%
1980 44.5% 46.8%
1979 44.4% 47%
1978 44.1% 47.1%
1977 43.8% 47.3%
1976 43.5% 47.2%
1975 43.2% 46.7%
1974 43% 46.2%
1973 42.8% 45.5%
1972 42.5% 44.7%
1971 42.3% 44.1%
1970 42% 43.6%
1969 41.8% 43.3%
1968 41.6% 43%
1967 41.3% 42.8%
1966 41.1% 42.5%
1965 40.9% 42.1%
1964 40.7% 41.5%
1963 40.4% 41%
1962 40.2% 40.4%
1961 39.9% 39.9%
1960 39.5% 39.8%

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/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.4% of the population in Cameroon and 36.6% in Iraq in 2024, compared to 46.2% and 45.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Cameroon and Iraq compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Cameroon vs Iraq

Cameroon
Iraq
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Cameroon Iraq
2023 258 66
2022 276 59
2021 342 77
2020 316 63
2019 336 74
2018 354 76
2017 372 81
2016 393 87
2015 417 86
2014 440 90
2013 469 96
2012 500 100
2011 541 105
2010 562 107
2009 579 107
2008 592 109
2007 605 117
2006 615 120
2005 629 118
2004 633 122
2003 645 125
2002 658 128
2001 672 137
2000 678 146
1999 672 156
1998 666 163
1997 652 165
1996 648 158
1995 641 152
1994 628 142
1993 606 132
1992 595 126
1991 584 157
1990 570 195
1989 564 190
1988 559 174
1987 557 145
1986 579 147
1985 572 152

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 258 deaths per 100,000 live births in Cameroon, compared to 66 deaths in Iraq.

Under-five mortality rates

Cameroon
Iraq

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Cameroon Iraq
2023 6.72% 2.26%
2022 6.95% 2.33%
2021 7.21% 2.41%
2020 7.46% 2.49%
2019 7.72% 2.57%
2018 7.97% 2.66%
2017 8.25% 2.75%
2016 8.56% 2.84%
2015 8.9% 2.94%
2014 9.31% 3.04%
2013 9.73% 3.14%
2012 10.2% 3.24%
2011 10.6% 3.35%
2010 11% 3.46%
2009 11.4% 3.56%
2008 11.8% 3.67%
2007 12.1% 3.78%
2006 12.5% 3.88%
2005 12.8% 3.97%
2004 13.1% 4.07%
2003 13.5% 4.16%
2002 13.8% 4.24%
2001 14.1% 4.33%
2000 14.4% 4.43%
1999 14.7% 4.52%
1998 14.8% 4.61%
1997 14.9% 4.71%
1996 14.8% 4.8%
1995 14.7% 4.89%
1994 14.5% 4.98%
1993 14.3% 5.07%
1992 14% 5.17%
1991 13.8% 6.49%
1990 13.7% 7.97%
1989 13.6% 8.12%
1988 13.8% 6.92%
1987 14% 5.75%
1986 14.4% 5.91%
1985 14.9% 6.09%
1984 15.5% 6.28%
1983 16.2% 6.49%
1982 16.8% 6.71%
1981 17.4% 6.96%
1980 17.9% 7.23%
1979 18.3% 7.52%
1978 18.7% 7.83%
1977 18.9% 8.17%
1976 19% 8.54%
1975 19.2% 8.93%
1974 19.3% 9.35%
1973 19.6% 9.79%
1972 20% 10.3%
1971 20.6% 10.7%
1970 21.3% 11.2%
1969 22.2% 11.8%
1968 23.1% 12.4%
1967 24% 13%
1966 24.7% 13.6%
1965 25.4% 14.4%
1964 26% 15.1%
1963 26.4% 16%
1962 26.9% 16.9%
1961 27.4% 17.9%
1960 28% 19%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/iraq | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 6.72% in Cameroon and 2.26% in Iraq. 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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