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Fertility & birth rates in Canada and Gambia

Updated on by Georank team

Canada has an annual birth rate of 8.8 births per 1,000 people, compared to 30.4 for the Gambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.26 in Canada and 4.01 in the Gambia — 217.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 66.9% in Canada and by 35.9% in the Gambia — in 1960, it was 3.81 and 6.25, respectively.

  • Canada is ranked 166/196 by birth rate compared to 30/196 for the Gambia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 30 years in Canada, compared to 20.7 years in the Gambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.7 in Canada — it's 29.8 in the Gambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 4.81 in Canada vs 58.1 in the Gambia.
  • In Canada, 22.6% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.5% in the Gambia.

Fertility rate in Canada vs Gambia by year

Canada
Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Canada Gambia
2023 1.26 4.01
2022 1.33 4.08
2021 1.44 4.17
2020 1.41 4.25
2019 1.47 4.33
2018 1.51 4.42
2017 1.55 4.61
2016 1.59 4.81
2015 1.6 5
2014 1.61 5.2
2013 1.61 5.39
2012 1.63 5.52
2011 1.63 5.54
2010 1.65 5.56
2009 1.69 5.57
2008 1.7 5.63
2007 1.67 5.69
2006 1.63 5.74
2005 1.58 5.71
2004 1.56 5.68
2003 1.55 5.66
2002 1.52 5.66
2001 1.54 5.67
2000 1.51 5.72
1999 1.55 5.77
1998 1.56 5.82
1997 1.57 5.85
1996 1.63 5.93
1995 1.67 5.99
1994 1.69 6.04
1993 1.69 6.03
1992 1.71 6.11
1991 1.72 6.19
1990 1.83 6.25
1989 1.77 6.25
1988 1.68 6.26
1987 1.68 6.3
1986 1.68 6.34
1985 1.67 6.36
1984 1.65 6.39
1983 1.68 6.39
1982 1.69 6.4
1981 1.7 6.4
1980 1.74 6.41
1979 1.75 6.41
1978 1.77 6.42
1977 1.78 6.43
1976 1.8 6.43
1975 1.82 6.43
1974 1.84 6.42
1973 1.89 6.41
1972 1.98 6.37
1971 2.14 6.33
1970 2.26 6.26
1969 2.33 6.25
1968 2.39 6.22
1967 2.53 6.21
1966 2.75 6.18
1965 3.12 6.19
1964 3.46 6.2
1963 3.61 6.2
1962 3.68 6.21
1961 3.75 6.23
1960 3.81 6.25

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Canada was 1.26 children per woman in 2023, compared to 4.01 in the Gambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Canada vs the Gambia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Canada
Gambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Canada Gambia
2023 28,058 65,118
2022 15,574 63,634
2021 57,360 62,239
2020 53,241 62,209
2019 86,523 61,701
2018 88,974 60,854
2017 98,672 61,665
2016 115,555 62,358
2015 117,825 62,832
2014 127,563 63,185
2013 129,799 63,510
2012 135,382 62,745
2011 133,923 60,571
2010 139,425 58,554
2009 144,609 56,575
2008 142,963 55,032
2007 134,845 53,653
2006 130,285 52,335
2005 116,074 50,010
2004 111,786 48,276
2003 110,749 46,473
2002 106,621 45,156
2001 114,777 44,154
2000 110,469 43,249
1999 118,565 42,533
1998 126,651 41,842
1997 134,577 40,742
1996 153,973 40,253
1995 167,023 39,681
1994 179,804 38,880
1993 186,451 37,302
1992 204,273 35,951
1991 207,477 34,584
1990 213,222 33,163
1989 207,304 31,504
1988 192,901 29,938
1987 190,416 28,452
1986 190,532 27,195
1985 204,153 25,795
1984 204,856 24,586
1983 202,931 23,175
1982 200,935 21,894
1981 206,005 20,156
1980 203,480 19,566
1979 203,293 18,543
1978 194,102 17,424
1977 199,297 16,773
1976 196,979 16,032
1975 196,718 15,256
1974 182,464 14,628
1973 184,432 14,046
1972 188,857 13,432
1971 208,640 12,842
1970 215,372 12,128
1969 216,588 11,670
1968 211,589 11,215
1967 220,450 10,823
1966 236,566 10,422
1965 269,589 10,162
1964 307,268 9,825
1963 318,595 9,493
1962 325,745 9,150
1961 334,360 8,778
1960 338,487 8,420

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | 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 +0.07% in Canada and +2.41% in the Gambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.22% in Canada and +2.59% in the Gambia.

Birth rate in Canada vs Gambia by year

Canada
Gambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Canada Gambia
2023 8.8 30.4
2022 9 30.8
2021 9.7 31.2
2020 9.5 31.5
2019 9.9 31.9
2018 10.1 32.3
2017 10.3 33.5
2016 10.6 34.6
2015 10.7 35.7
2014 10.9 36.9
2013 10.9 38.1
2012 11 38.8
2011 11 38.8
2010 11.2 38.9
2009 11.4 38.9
2008 11.5 39.2
2007 11.3 39.5
2006 11 39.9
2005 10.7 39.7
2004 10.6 39.7
2003 10.6 39.7
2002 10.5 40
2001 10.8 40.5
2000 10.7 41.1
1999 11.1 41.8
1998 11.4 42.5
1997 11.7 43.2
1996 12.4 44.1
1995 12.9 45.1
1994 13.3 45.9
1993 13.6 46.1
1992 14.1 46.6
1991 14.4 47.2
1990 15 47.7
1989 14.9 47.9
1988 14.5 48.1
1987 14.4 48.5
1986 14.5 48.8
1985 14.9 49
1984 15 49.3
1983 15 49
1982 15.1 48.8
1981 15.3 48.5
1980 15.4 48.2
1979 15.4 47.8
1978 15.2 47.6
1977 15.5 47.5
1976 15.6 47.4
1975 15.8 47.3
1974 15.4 47.3
1973 15.6 47.5
1972 15.9 47.5
1971 16.8 47.6
1970 17.4 47.4
1969 17.6 47.6
1968 17.6 47.9
1967 18.2 48.2
1966 19.3 48.5
1965 21.3 49
1964 23.4 49.4
1963 24.6 49.8
1962 25.2 50
1961 26 50.3
1960 26.7 50.4

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 8.8 in Canada and 30.4 in the Gambia, compared with 26.7 and 50.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Canada Gambia
Fertility rate 1.26 4.01
Fertility rate rank 176/196 26/196
Birth rate 8.8 30.4
Birth rate rank 166/196 30/196
Population change due to births and deaths +28,058 +65,118
Natural population change rank 104/196 88/196
Natural population change rate +0.07% +2.41%
Population growth +3.01% +2.3%
Population growth rank 14/197 37/197
Age at first childbirth 30 years 20.7 years
Average age at childbearing 31.7 years 29.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 4.06 52.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 47.5 170.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 17.2 67.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.6% 24.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 73.3% 17.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 98% 83.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.01% 0.35%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.34% 2.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.44% 3.38%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.51% 4.41%
Life expectancy 83.1 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Canada
Factual

UN forecast
Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Canada Gambia
2100 13.4% 18.1%
2099 13.4% 18.2%
2098 13.4% 18.3%
2097 13.4% 18.4%
2096 13.3% 18.5%
2095 13.3% 18.6%
2094 13.3% 18.7%
2093 13.3% 18.9%
2092 13.3% 19%
2091 13.3% 19.1%
2090 13.3% 19.3%
2089 13.3% 19.4%
2088 13.3% 19.6%
2087 13.3% 19.7%
2086 13.3% 19.9%
2085 13.3% 20%
2084 13.3% 20.2%
2083 13.3% 20.3%
2082 13.3% 20.5%
2081 13.3% 20.6%
2080 13.3% 20.8%
2079 13.3% 21%
2078 13.3% 21.2%
2077 13.3% 21.3%
2076 13.2% 21.5%
2075 13.2% 21.7%
2074 13.2% 21.9%
2073 13.2% 22.1%
2072 13.2% 22.3%
2071 13.2% 22.6%
2070 13.2% 22.8%
2069 13.2% 23%
2068 13.3% 23.2%
2067 13.3% 23.5%
2066 13.3% 23.7%
2065 13.3% 24%
2064 13.3% 24.3%
2063 13.3% 24.5%
2062 13.3% 24.8%
2061 13.3% 25.1%
2060 13.3% 25.4%
2059 13.3% 25.7%
2058 13.4% 26%
2057 13.4% 26.3%
2056 13.4% 26.7%
2055 13.4% 27%
2054 13.4% 27.3%
2053 13.4% 27.6%
2052 13.4% 28%
2051 13.5% 28.3%
2050 13.5% 28.6%
2049 13.5% 28.9%
2048 13.5% 29.3%
2047 13.5% 29.6%
2046 13.5% 30%
2045 13.5% 30.3%
2044 13.6% 30.7%
2043 13.6% 31.1%
2042 13.6% 31.5%
2041 13.6% 31.9%
2040 13.7% 32.3%
2039 13.7% 32.7%
2038 13.8% 33.2%
2037 13.8% 33.6%
2036 13.9% 34.1%
2035 14% 34.5%
2034 14% 35%
2033 14.1% 35.4%
2032 14.2% 35.9%
2031 14.3% 36.4%
2030 14.4% 37%
2029 14.5% 37.6%
2028 14.7% 38.2%
2027 14.8% 38.9%
2026 14.9% 39.5%
2025 15% 40%
2024 15.1% 40.2%
2023 15.3% 40.7%
2022 15.5% 41.2%
2021 15.7% 41.6%
2020 15.9% 42%
2019 16% 42.4%
2018 16.1% 42.8%
2017 16.2% 43.1%
2016 16.2% 43.3%
2015 16.2% 43.6%
2014 16.2% 43.7%
2013 16.3% 43.9%
2012 16.3% 44.1%
2011 16.4% 44.3%
2010 16.6% 44.5%
2009 16.7% 44.8%
2008 16.9% 45.1%
2007 17.1% 45.3%
2006 17.4% 45.6%
2005 17.7% 45.9%
2004 18% 46.1%
2003 18.3% 46.4%
2002 18.6% 46.6%
2001 18.9% 46.7%
2000 19.2% 46.8%
1999 19.5% 46.9%
1998 19.8% 46.9%
1997 20% 46.9%
1996 20.2% 46.7%
1995 20.4% 46.5%
1994 20.6% 46.3%
1993 20.7% 46%
1992 20.7% 45.9%
1991 20.7% 45.8%
1990 20.7% 45.7%
1989 20.8% 45.6%
1988 20.8% 45.5%
1987 20.9% 45.4%
1986 21.1% 45.2%
1985 21.3% 45%
1984 21.6% 44.9%
1983 21.8% 44.6%
1982 22% 44.3%
1981 22.3% 44%
1980 22.8% 43.7%
1979 23.4% 43.5%
1978 24% 43.3%
1977 24.7% 43%
1976 25.5% 42.8%
1975 26.2% 42.6%
1974 27% 42.4%
1973 27.8% 42.3%
1972 28.6% 42.2%
1971 29.3% 42.1%
1970 30.2% 42%
1969 31% 41.9%
1968 31.6% 41.8%
1967 32.3% 41.6%
1966 32.9% 41.5%
1965 33.3% 41.3%
1964 33.7% 41%
1963 33.9% 40.8%
1962 33.9% 40.7%
1961 33.9% 40.8%
1960 33.8% 41%

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/canada/gambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 15.1% of the population in Canada and 40.2% in the Gambia in 2024, compared to 20.7% and 45.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Canada and the Gambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Canada vs Gambia

Canada
Gambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Canada Gambia
2023 12 354
2022 15 365
2021 14 420
2020 17 400
2019 12 422
2018 13 450
2017 12 469
2016 12 490
2015 11 527
2014 12 561
2013 11 606
2012 11 628
2011 11 634
2010 11 632
2009 12 634
2008 12 653
2007 11 675
2006 11 682
2005 11 707
2004 10 719
2003 10 749
2002 10 772
2001 10 794
2000 9 810
1999 9 830
1998 9 867
1997 8 928
1996 9 956
1995 8 999
1994 8 1,039
1993 8 1,072
1992 8 1,115
1991 8 1,167
1990 7 1,207
1989 8 1,258
1988 7 1,302
1987 7 1,360
1986 7 1,401
1985 7 1,454

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 12 deaths per 100,000 live births in Canada, compared to 354 deaths in the Gambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Canada
Gambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Canada Gambia
2023 0.51% 4.41%
2022 0.51% 4.56%
2021 0.51% 4.72%
2020 0.51% 4.89%
2019 0.51% 5.07%
2018 0.52% 5.27%
2017 0.52% 5.47%
2016 0.53% 5.7%
2015 0.54% 5.93%
2014 0.54% 6.18%
2013 0.55% 6.45%
2012 0.56% 6.73%
2011 0.56% 7.01%
2010 0.57% 7.31%
2009 0.58% 7.64%
2008 0.59% 7.98%
2007 0.6% 8.33%
2006 0.6% 8.71%
2005 0.61% 9.11%
2004 0.61% 9.52%
2003 0.62% 9.95%
2002 0.62% 10.4%
2001 0.62% 10.9%
2000 0.62% 11.3%
1999 0.63% 11.8%
1998 0.64% 12.3%
1997 0.65% 12.8%
1996 0.67% 13.3%
1995 0.69% 13.9%
1994 0.72% 14.4%
1993 0.74% 14.9%
1992 0.77% 15.5%
1991 0.8% 16%
1990 0.82% 16.6%
1989 0.85% 17.2%
1988 0.88% 17.8%
1987 0.91% 18.4%
1986 0.94% 19.1%
1985 0.98% 19.7%
1984 1.01% 20.4%
1983 1.06% 21%
1982 1.12% 21.7%
1981 1.18% 22.3%
1980 1.25% 23%
1979 1.33% 23.6%
1978 1.42% 24.2%
1977 1.51% 24.9%
1976 1.6% 25.5%
1975 1.7% 26.2%
1974 1.79% 26.9%
1973 1.89% 27.5%
1972 1.99% 28.2%
1971 2.09% 28.9%
1970 2.19% 29.5%
1969 2.3% 30.2%
1968 2.4% 30.9%
1967 2.5% 31.5%
1966 2.6% 32.1%
1965 2.71% 32.8%
1964 2.82% 33.5%
1963 2.94% 34.1%
1962 3.05% 34.8%
1961 3.15% 35.5%
1960 3.26% 36.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/canada/gambia | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.51% in Canada and 4.41% in the Gambia. 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2021, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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