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Fertility & birth rates in Cameroon and Mali

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has an annual birth rate of 33.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 40 for Mali. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.32 in Cameroon and 5.61 in Mali — 29.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 24.5% in Cameroon and by 20% in Mali — in 1960, it was 5.73 and 7.02, respectively.

  • Cameroon is ranked 16/196 by birth rate compared to 6/196 for Mali.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.1 years in Cameroon, compared to 19.2 years in Mali.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.4 in Cameroon — it's 28.8 in Mali.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.7 in Cameroon vs 138.6 in Mali.
  • In Cameroon, 24.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 22.6% in Mali.

Fertility rate in Cameroon vs Mali by year

Cameroon
Mali
1x
Year Fertility rate
Cameroon Mali
2023 4.32 5.61
2022 4.4 5.69
2021 4.47 5.78
2020 4.56 5.85
2019 4.65 5.89
2018 4.74 6.12
2017 4.8 6.25
2016 4.84 6.32
2015 4.84 6.39
2014 4.84 6.44
2013 4.91 6.49
2012 4.98 6.52
2011 5.05 6.55
2010 5.15 6.58
2009 5.24 6.59
2008 5.29 6.62
2007 5.34 6.65
2006 5.37 6.68
2005 5.42 6.71
2004 5.44 6.74
2003 5.43 6.78
2002 5.44 6.82
2001 5.44 6.85
2000 5.51 6.89
1999 5.6 6.91
1998 5.66 6.94
1997 5.71 6.97
1996 5.8 7.01
1995 5.92 7.05
1994 6.04 7.12
1993 6.16 7.18
1992 6.26 7.24
1991 6.32 7.28
1990 6.36 7.31
1989 6.41 7.33
1988 6.48 7.32
1987 6.54 7.31
1986 6.57 7.31
1985 6.56 7.26
1984 6.56 7.26
1983 6.58 7.28
1982 6.59 7.32
1981 6.61 7.37
1980 6.61 7.37
1979 6.58 7.35
1978 6.55 7.32
1977 6.51 7.3
1976 6.45 7.27
1975 6.4 7.25
1974 6.36 7.23
1973 6.33 7.22
1972 6.29 7.22
1971 6.26 7.2
1970 6.2 7.18
1969 6.14 7.18
1968 6.04 7.16
1967 5.95 7.14
1966 5.85 7.11
1965 5.8 7.08
1964 5.74 7.06
1963 5.73 7.05
1962 5.73 7.04
1961 5.73 7.03
1960 5.73 7.02

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/mali | 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 5.61 in Mali in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Cameroon
Mali
1x
Year Natural population change
Cameroon Mali
2023 754,486 746,398
2022 734,893 726,465
2021 713,806 703,674
2020 716,361 683,053
2019 714,681 667,110
2018 706,188 670,723
2017 696,496 661,973
2016 677,051 645,652
2015 649,190 630,006
2014 619,243 614,419
2013 606,072 597,887
2012 594,029 588,748
2011 580,607 570,899
2010 569,921 554,447
2009 557,841 533,730
2008 542,919 514,665
2007 526,949 495,800
2006 511,366 477,665
2005 496,547 460,964
2004 478,880 439,717
2003 459,422 417,766
2002 439,544 396,732
2001 422,511 376,472
2000 411,633 359,159
1999 401,969 343,705
1998 388,432 323,940
1997 377,138 308,429
1996 370,355 293,953
1995 367,532 285,598
1994 364,390 282,356
1993 360,785 274,480
1992 356,072 267,605
1991 350,493 261,656
1990 342,901 252,308
1989 334,649 249,929
1988 328,168 245,682
1987 320,134 238,871
1986 308,188 233,799
1985 296,317 224,734
1984 284,110 218,078
1983 276,112 211,795
1982 274,652 204,892
1981 262,076 198,227
1980 247,808 190,560
1979 238,875 182,449
1978 229,958 172,652
1977 222,785 165,071
1976 214,916 157,778
1975 206,986 150,222
1974 200,693 142,448
1973 193,997 135,801
1972 186,521 129,687
1971 179,317 123,591
1970 170,713 118,952
1969 162,603 114,361
1968 153,080 111,403
1967 144,370 107,650
1966 135,927 103,684
1965 129,428 100,451
1964 123,469 97,166
1963 119,784 95,055
1962 116,232 93,101
1961 82,471 91,115
1960 77,948 88,802

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/mali | 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 +3.14% in Mali.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.78% in Cameroon and +3.25% in Mali.

Birth rate in Cameroon vs Mali by year

Cameroon
Mali

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Cameroon Mali
2023 33.7 40
2022 34.3 40.3
2021 34.8 40.7
2020 35.4 41
2019 36.2 41.1
2018 36.9 42.6
2017 37.5 43.4
2016 37.8 43.9
2015 37.7 44.5
2014 37.5 45
2013 38.1 45.5
2012 38.7 46.3
2011 39.2 46.5
2010 39.8 46.9
2009 40.4 47
2008 40.7 47.2
2007 40.9 47.4
2006 41.1 47.6
2005 41.3 47.9
2004 41.3 47.8
2003 41.1 47.6
2002 40.8 47.3
2001 40.7 47.1
2000 40.9 47.1
1999 41.1 47
1998 41 46.4
1997 40.9 46.1
1996 41.2 45.8
1995 41.7 45.9
1994 42.2 46.5
1993 42.7 46.7
1992 43.1 46.9
1991 43.5 47.2
1990 43.6 47
1989 43.8 47.7
1988 44.3 48.2
1987 44.6 48.4
1986 44.8 48.8
1985 44.6 48.8
1984 44.7 49
1983 45.1 49.4
1982 46.1 50
1981 45.7 50.4
1980 45.4 50.6
1979 45.6 50.7
1978 45.4 50.4
1977 45.5 50.5
1976 45.3 50.6
1975 45.1 50.6
1974 45.1 50.5
1973 45.1 50.5
1972 45 50.4
1971 45.1 50.5
1970 44.9 50.4
1969 44.8 50.5
1968 44.4 50.6
1967 44.1 50.6
1966 43.7 50.6
1965 43.6 50.5
1964 43.4 50.5
1963 43.7 50.6
1962 43.9 50.7
1961 43.9 50.8
1960 43.8 50.8

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33.7 in Cameroon and 40 in Mali, compared with 43.8 and 50.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Cameroon Mali
Fertility rate 4.32 5.61
Fertility rate rank 17/196 6/196
Birth rate 33.7 40
Birth rate rank 16/196 6/196
Population change due to births and deaths +754,486 +746,398
Natural population change rank 24/196 26/196
Natural population change rate +2.66% +3.14%
Population growth +2.65% +2.98%
Population growth rank 23/197 15/197
Age at first childbirth 20.1 years 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.4 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.5 133.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 193.2 243.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 66.4 88.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.5% 22.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 15.4% 16.4%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 69% 67.3%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.26% 0.37%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.52% 3.24%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.12% 5.76%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 6.72% 9.13%
Life expectancy 64.5 years 61.1 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Cameroon
Factual

UN forecast
Mali
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Cameroon Mali
2100 21.8% 22.4%
2099 21.9% 22.6%
2098 22.1% 22.8%
2097 22.2% 23%
2096 22.4% 23.1%
2095 22.6% 23.3%
2094 22.7% 23.5%
2093 22.9% 23.7%
2092 23.1% 23.9%
2091 23.3% 24.1%
2090 23.4% 24.3%
2089 23.6% 24.5%
2088 23.8% 24.8%
2087 24% 25%
2086 24.2% 25.2%
2085 24.4% 25.5%
2084 24.6% 25.7%
2083 24.8% 25.9%
2082 25% 26.2%
2081 25.2% 26.5%
2080 25.4% 26.7%
2079 25.6% 27%
2078 25.8% 27.3%
2077 26.1% 27.6%
2076 26.3% 27.9%
2075 26.5% 28.1%
2074 26.7% 28.4%
2073 26.9% 28.7%
2072 27.2% 29%
2071 27.4% 29.3%
2070 27.6% 29.6%
2069 27.8% 30%
2068 28.1% 30.3%
2067 28.3% 30.6%
2066 28.6% 30.9%
2065 28.8% 31.2%
2064 29.1% 31.6%
2063 29.3% 31.9%
2062 29.6% 32.2%
2061 29.9% 32.6%
2060 30.1% 33%
2059 30.4% 33.3%
2058 30.7% 33.7%
2057 31% 34.1%
2056 31.3% 34.4%
2055 31.5% 34.8%
2054 31.8% 35.2%
2053 32.1% 35.7%
2052 32.4% 36.1%
2051 32.7% 36.5%
2050 33% 36.9%
2049 33.3% 37.3%
2048 33.6% 37.8%
2047 33.9% 38.2%
2046 34.2% 38.6%
2045 34.5% 39%
2044 34.8% 39.4%
2043 35.1% 39.8%
2042 35.4% 40.2%
2041 35.7% 40.6%
2040 36% 41%
2039 36.4% 41.3%
2038 36.7% 41.6%
2037 37% 42%
2036 37.3% 42.3%
2035 37.7% 42.6%
2034 38.1% 42.9%
2033 38.5% 43.2%
2032 38.9% 43.5%
2031 39.3% 43.9%
2030 39.7% 44.2%
2029 40% 44.5%
2028 40.3% 44.9%
2027 40.6% 45.3%
2026 41% 45.6%
2025 41.3% 46%
2024 41.4% 46.1%
2023 41.8% 46.5%
2022 42.1% 46.8%
2021 42.3% 47%
2020 42.5% 47.3%
2019 42.7% 47.6%
2018 42.9% 47.8%
2017 43% 47.9%
2016 43% 48%
2015 43.2% 48%
2014 43.4% 48%
2013 43.5% 47.9%
2012 43.6% 47.6%
2011 43.7% 47.3%
2010 43.7% 47.1%
2009 43.8% 46.9%
2008 43.8% 46.8%
2007 43.9% 46.6%
2006 44% 46.5%
2005 44.1% 46.4%
2004 44.2% 46.4%
2003 44.3% 46.4%
2002 44.5% 46.4%
2001 44.7% 46.5%
2000 44.9% 46.6%
1999 45.1% 46.7%
1998 45.3% 46.8%
1997 45.5% 47%
1996 45.7% 47%
1995 45.9% 47.1%
1994 46% 47.1%
1993 46.1% 47.1%
1992 46.2% 47.1%
1991 46.2% 47%
1990 46.2% 46.8%
1989 46.1% 46.7%
1988 46.1% 46.4%
1987 46% 46%
1986 45.9% 45.7%
1985 45.8% 45.3%
1984 45.7% 45%
1983 45.6% 44.7%
1982 45% 44.5%
1981 44.6% 44.2%
1980 44.5% 43.9%
1979 44.4% 43.6%
1978 44.1% 43.2%
1977 43.8% 43%
1976 43.5% 42.7%
1975 43.2% 42.4%
1974 43% 42.1%
1973 42.8% 41.9%
1972 42.5% 41.7%
1971 42.3% 41.5%
1970 42% 41.3%
1969 41.8% 41.2%
1968 41.6% 41%
1967 41.3% 40.9%
1966 41.1% 40.8%
1965 40.9% 40.7%
1964 40.7% 40.6%
1963 40.4% 40.5%
1962 40.2% 40.4%
1961 39.9% 40.4%
1960 39.5% 40.3%

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/mali | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41.4% of the population in Cameroon and 46.1% in Mali in 2024, compared to 46.2% and 46.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Cameroon and Mali compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Cameroon vs Mali

Cameroon
Mali
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Cameroon Mali
2023 258 367
2022 276 381
2021 342 415
2020 316 405
2019 336 416
2018 354 434
2017 372 453
2016 393 472
2015 417 490
2014 440 507
2013 469 525
2012 500 549
2011 541 553
2010 562 558
2009 579 565
2008 592 573
2007 605 574
2006 615 568
2005 629 577
2004 633 592
2003 645 616
2002 658 649
2001 672 694
2000 678 741
1999 672 749
1998 666 781
1997 652 820
1996 648 875
1995 641 895
1994 628 935
1993 606 988
1992 595 1,024
1991 584 1,063
1990 570 1,087
1989 564 1,106
1988 559 1,128
1987 557 1,142
1986 579 1,184
1985 572 1,217

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/cameroon/mali | 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 367 deaths in Mali.

Under-five mortality rates

Cameroon
Mali

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Cameroon Mali
2023 6.72% 9.13%
2022 6.95% 9.4%
2021 7.21% 9.69%
2020 7.46% 10%
2019 7.72% 10.3%
2018 7.97% 10.6%
2017 8.25% 10.9%
2016 8.56% 11.2%
2015 8.9% 11.6%
2014 9.31% 11.9%
2013 9.73% 12.2%
2012 10.2% 12.6%
2011 10.6% 13%
2010 11% 13.4%
2009 11.4% 13.8%
2008 11.8% 14.3%
2007 12.1% 14.7%
2006 12.5% 15.2%
2005 12.8% 15.7%
2004 13.1% 16.3%
2003 13.5% 16.9%
2002 13.8% 17.5%
2001 14.1% 18.2%
2000 14.4% 18.8%
1999 14.7% 19.4%
1998 14.8% 19.9%
1997 14.9% 20.4%
1996 14.8% 20.8%
1995 14.7% 21.2%
1994 14.5% 21.5%
1993 14.3% 21.9%
1992 14% 22.3%
1991 13.8% 22.7%
1990 13.7% 23.1%
1989 13.6% 23.6%
1988 13.8% 24.2%
1987 14% 24.8%
1986 14.4% 25.4%
1985 14.9% 26.1%
1984 15.5% 26.9%
1983 16.2% 27.7%
1982 16.8% 28.5%
1981 17.4% 29.3%
1980 17.9% 30.2%
1979 18.3% 31%
1978 18.7% 31.8%
1977 18.9% 32.7%
1976 19% 33.6%
1975 19.2% 34.4%
1974 19.3% 35.2%
1973 19.6% 36%
1972 20% 36.7%
1971 20.6% 37.3%
1970 21.3% 38%
1969 22.2% 38.6%
1968 23.1% 39.2%
1967 24% 39.8%
1966 24.7% 40.5%
1965 25.4% 41.2%
1964 26% 41.9%
1963 26.4% 42.6%
1962 26.9% -
1961 27.4% -
1960 28% -

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 6.72% in Cameroon and 9.13% in Mali. 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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