Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Central African Republic and Gambia

Updated on by Georank team

The Central African Republic has an annual birth rate of 46.4 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 6.01 in the Central African Republic and 4.01 in the Gambia — 33.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has changed by +1.08% in the Central African Republic and by 35.9% in the Gambia — in 1960, it was 5.95 and 6.25, respectively.

  • The Central African Republic is ranked 1/196 by birth rate compared to 30/196 for the Gambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.9 in the Central African Republic — it's 29.8 in the Gambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 163.1 in the Central African Republic vs 58.1 in the Gambia.
  • In the Central African Republic, 23.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.5% in the Gambia.

Fertility rate in Central African Republic vs Gambia by year

Central African Republic
Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
CAR Gambia
2023 6.01 4.01
2022 6.02 4.08
2021 6.05 4.17
2020 6.06 4.25
2019 6.09 4.33
2018 6.11 4.42
2017 6.13 4.61
2016 6.13 4.81
2015 6.13 5
2014 6.1 5.2
2013 6.08 5.39
2012 6.05 5.52
2011 6.01 5.54
2010 5.96 5.56
2009 5.94 5.57
2008 5.9 5.63
2007 5.87 5.69
2006 5.84 5.74
2005 5.81 5.71
2004 5.78 5.68
2003 5.8 5.66
2002 5.79 5.66
2001 5.81 5.67
2000 5.85 5.72
1999 5.88 5.77
1998 5.89 5.82
1997 5.92 5.85
1996 5.96 5.93
1995 5.94 5.99
1994 5.92 6.04
1993 5.93 6.03
1992 5.96 6.11
1991 6.03 6.19
1990 6.05 6.25
1989 6.07 6.25
1988 6.1 6.26
1987 6.12 6.3
1986 6.11 6.34
1985 6.12 6.36
1984 6.14 6.39
1983 6.15 6.39
1982 6.16 6.4
1981 6.17 6.4
1980 6.13 6.41
1979 6.09 6.41
1978 6.04 6.42
1977 5.99 6.43
1976 5.94 6.43
1975 5.88 6.43
1974 5.9 6.42
1973 5.93 6.41
1972 5.96 6.37
1971 5.99 6.33
1970 6.03 6.26
1969 6.06 6.25
1968 6.1 6.22
1967 6.08 6.21
1966 6.06 6.18
1965 6.03 6.19
1964 6.01 6.2
1963 5.99 6.2
1962 5.97 6.21
1961 5.96 6.23
1960 5.95 6.25

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in the Central African Republic was 6.01 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 the Central African Republic vs the Gambia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Central African Republic
Gambia
1x
Year Natural population change
CAR Gambia
2023 190,325 65,118
2022 -49,456 63,634
2021 124,408 62,239
2020 156,911 62,209
2019 68,523 61,701
2018 153,361 60,854
2017 128,461 61,665
2016 142,419 62,358
2015 141,912 62,832
2014 107,448 63,185
2013 140,489 63,510
2012 146,791 62,745
2011 142,913 60,571
2010 130,539 58,554
2009 -130,613 56,575
2008 128,627 55,032
2007 123,137 53,653
2006 118,882 52,335
2005 113,534 50,010
2004 108,548 48,276
2003 105,540 46,473
2002 100,588 45,156
2001 99,598 44,154
2000 97,468 43,249
1999 96,108 42,533
1998 94,361 41,842
1997 93,378 40,742
1996 93,369 40,253
1995 92,748 39,681
1994 90,943 38,880
1993 89,873 37,302
1992 88,939 35,951
1991 88,688 34,584
1990 87,507 33,163
1989 85,969 31,504
1988 84,654 29,938
1987 83,408 28,452
1986 81,149 27,195
1985 79,266 25,795
1984 77,395 24,586
1983 75,399 23,175
1982 73,330 21,894
1981 71,391 20,156
1980 68,759 19,566
1979 66,104 18,543
1978 63,285 17,424
1977 60,436 16,773
1976 57,725 16,032
1975 55,106 15,256
1974 53,777 14,628
1973 52,525 14,046
1972 51,390 13,432
1971 50,142 12,842
1970 48,690 12,128
1969 47,066 11,670
1968 45,377 11,215
1967 42,979 10,823
1966 40,804 10,422
1965 38,710 10,162
1964 36,878 9,825
1963 35,218 9,493
1962 33,731 9,150
1961 32,383 8,778
1960 31,131 8,420

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/central-african-republic/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 +3.69% in the Central African Republic and +2.41% in the Gambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.39% in the Central African Republic and +2.59% in the Gambia.

Birth rate in Central African Republic vs Gambia by year

Central African Republic
Gambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
CAR Gambia
2023 46.4 30.4
2022 45.4 30.8
2021 45.2 31.2
2020 44.5 31.5
2019 44.1 31.9
2018 43.8 32.3
2017 43.7 33.5
2016 43.4 34.6
2015 43.3 35.7
2014 44.6 36.9
2013 44.7 38.1
2012 45.1 38.8
2011 45.3 38.8
2010 45 38.9
2009 43.6 38.9
2008 42.5 39.2
2007 42.2 39.5
2006 42.2 39.9
2005 41.8 39.7
2004 41.6 39.7
2003 41.7 39.7
2002 41.4 40
2001 42 40.5
2000 42.1 41.1
1999 42.3 41.8
1998 42.6 42.5
1997 43 43.2
1996 43.7 44.1
1995 44.1 45.1
1994 44.2 45.9
1993 44.7 46.1
1992 45.4 46.6
1991 46.2 47.2
1990 46.8 47.7
1989 47.3 47.9
1988 47.8 48.1
1987 47.9 48.5
1986 47.5 48.8
1985 47.2 49
1984 46.9 49.3
1983 46.5 49
1982 46.1 48.8
1981 45.8 48.5
1980 45.1 48.2
1979 44.4 47.8
1978 43.7 47.6
1977 42.9 47.5
1976 42.2 47.4
1975 41.7 47.3
1974 42 47.3
1973 42.4 47.5
1972 42.8 47.5
1971 43.1 47.6
1970 43.4 47.4
1969 43.7 47.6
1968 43.8 47.9
1967 43.6 48.2
1966 43.4 48.5
1965 43.3 49
1964 43.2 49.4
1963 43.2 49.8
1962 43.3 50
1961 43.4 50.3
1960 43.5 50.4

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 46.4 in the Central African Republic and 30.4 in the Gambia, compared with 43.5 and 50.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

CAR Gambia
Fertility rate 6.01 4.01
Fertility rate rank 5/196 26/196
Birth rate 46.4 30.4
Birth rate rank 1/196 30/196
Population change due to births and deaths +190,325 +65,118
Natural population change rank 61/196 88/196
Natural population change rate +3.69% +2.41%
Population growth +3.46% +2.3%
Population growth rank 9/197 37/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 20.7 years
Average age at childbearing 28.9 years 29.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 153.8 52.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 247.5 170.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 97.4 67.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.2% 24.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 14.4% 17.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 40.3% 83.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.69% 0.35%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.07% 2.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 6.04% 3.38%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 9.22% 4.41%
Life expectancy 58.2 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Central African Republic
Factual

UN forecast
Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
CAR Gambia
2100 22.2% 18.1%
2099 22.4% 18.2%
2098 22.6% 18.3%
2097 22.7% 18.4%
2096 22.9% 18.5%
2095 23.1% 18.6%
2094 23.3% 18.7%
2093 23.5% 18.9%
2092 23.7% 19%
2091 23.9% 19.1%
2090 24.1% 19.3%
2089 24.3% 19.4%
2088 24.5% 19.6%
2087 24.7% 19.7%
2086 25% 19.9%
2085 25.2% 20%
2084 25.5% 20.2%
2083 25.7% 20.3%
2082 26% 20.5%
2081 26.3% 20.6%
2080 26.6% 20.8%
2079 26.9% 21%
2078 27.2% 21.2%
2077 27.6% 21.3%
2076 27.9% 21.5%
2075 28.2% 21.7%
2074 28.6% 21.9%
2073 28.9% 22.1%
2072 29.3% 22.3%
2071 29.7% 22.6%
2070 30% 22.8%
2069 30.4% 23%
2068 30.8% 23.2%
2067 31.2% 23.5%
2066 31.5% 23.7%
2065 31.9% 24%
2064 32.3% 24.3%
2063 32.7% 24.5%
2062 33% 24.8%
2061 33.4% 25.1%
2060 33.8% 25.4%
2059 34.2% 25.7%
2058 34.5% 26%
2057 34.9% 26.3%
2056 35.3% 26.7%
2055 35.7% 27%
2054 36.2% 27.3%
2053 36.6% 27.6%
2052 37.1% 28%
2051 37.6% 28.3%
2050 38.1% 28.6%
2049 38.7% 28.9%
2048 39.3% 29.3%
2047 39.9% 29.6%
2046 40.5% 30%
2045 41.2% 30.3%
2044 41.9% 30.7%
2043 42.5% 31.1%
2042 43.2% 31.5%
2041 43.8% 31.9%
2040 44.4% 32.3%
2039 45% 32.7%
2038 45.6% 33.2%
2037 45.9% 33.6%
2036 46.2% 34.1%
2035 46.4% 34.5%
2034 46.6% 35%
2033 46.7% 35.4%
2032 46.9% 35.9%
2031 47% 36.4%
2030 47.1% 37%
2029 47.3% 37.6%
2028 47.6% 38.2%
2027 48% 38.9%
2026 48.5% 39.5%
2025 48.9% 40%
2024 49% 40.2%
2023 49.2% 40.7%
2022 49.2% 41.2%
2021 49% 41.6%
2020 48.9% 42%
2019 49% 42.4%
2018 49% 42.8%
2017 49% 43.1%
2016 49% 43.3%
2015 49% 43.6%
2014 48.5% 43.7%
2013 47.6% 43.9%
2012 46.9% 44.1%
2011 46.3% 44.3%
2010 45.9% 44.5%
2009 45.6% 44.8%
2008 45.4% 45.1%
2007 45.3% 45.3%
2006 45.1% 45.6%
2005 45.1% 45.9%
2004 45.1% 46.1%
2003 45.2% 46.4%
2002 45.3% 46.6%
2001 45.4% 46.7%
2000 45.5% 46.8%
1999 45.6% 46.9%
1998 45.7% 46.9%
1997 45.7% 46.9%
1996 45.7% 46.7%
1995 45.6% 46.5%
1994 45.5% 46.3%
1993 45.4% 46%
1992 45.2% 45.9%
1991 44.9% 45.8%
1990 44.5% 45.7%
1989 44.1% 45.6%
1988 43.8% 45.5%
1987 43.5% 45.4%
1986 43.3% 45.2%
1985 43.2% 45%
1984 43% 44.9%
1983 43% 44.6%
1982 42.9% 44.3%
1981 42.8% 44%
1980 42.8% 43.7%
1979 42.8% 43.5%
1978 42.8% 43.3%
1977 42.8% 43%
1976 42.9% 42.8%
1975 42.9% 42.6%
1974 42.7% 42.4%
1973 42.6% 42.3%
1972 42.4% 42.2%
1971 42.2% 42.1%
1970 42.1% 42%
1969 41.9% 41.9%
1968 41.9% 41.8%
1967 41.8% 41.6%
1966 41.7% 41.5%
1965 41.7% 41.3%
1964 41.6% 41%
1963 41.4% 40.8%
1962 41.1% 40.7%
1961 40.8% 40.8%
1960 40.5% 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/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 49% of the population in the Central African Republic and 40.2% in the Gambia in 2024, compared to 44.5% and 45.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Central African Republic 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/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Central African Republic vs Gambia

Central African Republic
Gambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
CAR Gambia
2023 692 354
2022 841 365
2021 1,127 420
2020 1,296 400
2019 1,650 422
2018 881 450
2017 1,093 469
2016 962 490
2015 981 527
2014 1,034 561
2013 1,092 606
2012 1,092 628
2011 1,131 634
2010 1,230 632
2009 1,272 634
2008 1,234 653
2007 1,271 675
2006 1,337 682
2005 1,389 707
2004 1,450 719
2003 1,487 749
2002 1,496 772
2001 1,504 794
2000 1,490 810
1999 1,411 830
1998 1,346 867
1997 1,270 928
1996 1,191 956
1995 1,123 999
1994 1,053 1,039
1993 997 1,072
1992 956 1,115
1991 910 1,167
1990 866 1,207
1989 835 1,258
1988 815 1,302
1987 803 1,360
1986 795 1,401
1985 796 1,454

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 692 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Central African Republic, compared to 354 deaths in the Gambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Central African Republic
Gambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
CAR Gambia
2023 9.22% 4.41%
2022 38.7% 4.56%
2021 17.1% 4.72%
2020 12.3% 4.89%
2019 24.3% 5.07%
2018 12% 5.27%
2017 15.2% 5.47%
2016 12.6% 5.7%
2015 11.4% 5.93%
2014 18.3% 6.18%
2013 13.4% 6.45%
2012 12.2% 6.73%
2011 12.5% 7.01%
2010 14.9% 7.31%
2009 47.9% 7.64%
2008 13.6% 7.98%
2007 14% 8.33%
2006 14.4% 8.71%
2005 14.8% 9.11%
2004 15.2% 9.52%
2003 15.6% 9.95%
2002 15.9% 10.4%
2001 16.3% 10.9%
2000 16.6% 11.3%
1999 16.8% 11.8%
1998 17% 12.3%
1997 17.2% 12.8%
1996 17.3% 13.3%
1995 17.5% 13.9%
1994 17.5% 14.4%
1993 17.6% 14.9%
1992 17.7% 15.5%
1991 17.7% 16%
1990 17.8% 16.6%
1989 17.8% 17.2%
1988 17.8% 17.8%
1987 17.9% 18.4%
1986 17.9% 19.1%
1985 18% 19.7%
1984 18.1% 20.4%
1983 18.2% 21%
1982 18.4% 21.7%
1981 18.6% 22.3%
1980 18.8% 23%
1979 19.1% 23.6%
1978 19.4% 24.2%
1977 19.7% 24.9%
1976 20% 25.5%
1975 20.4% 26.2%
1974 20.8% 26.9%
1973 21.2% 27.5%
1972 21.7% 28.2%
1971 22.1% 28.9%
1970 22.6% 29.5%
1969 23.2% 30.2%
1968 23.7% 30.9%
1967 24.3% 31.5%
1966 24.9% 32.1%
1965 25.5% 32.8%
1964 26.1% 33.5%
1963 26.7% 34.1%
1962 27.2% 34.8%
1961 27.8% 35.5%
1960 28.3% 36.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/central-african-republic/gambia | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 9.22% in the Central African Republic and 4.41% in the Gambia. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.