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Fertility & birth rates in Congo and Portugal

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has an annual birth rate of 30.6 births per 1,000 people, compared to 8.1 for Portugal. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.16 in the Congo and 1.44 in Portugal — 65.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 31.7% in the Congo and by 54.4% in Portugal — in 1960, it was 6.09 and 3.16, respectively.

  • The Congo is ranked 28/196 by birth rate compared to 175/196 for Portugal.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.6 years in the Congo, compared to 30.2 years in Portugal.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in the Congo — it's 32.1 in Portugal.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 109.9 in the Congo vs 6.99 in Portugal.
  • In the Congo, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 20.6% in Portugal.

Fertility rate in Congo vs Portugal by year

Congo
Portugal
1x
Year Fertility rate
Congo Portugal
2023 4.16 1.44
2022 4.22 1.43
2021 4.28 1.35
2020 4.33 1.42
2019 4.38 1.44
2018 4.44 1.42
2017 4.5 1.38
2016 4.55 1.37
2015 4.61 1.31
2014 4.67 1.24
2013 4.73 1.21
2012 4.79 1.28
2011 4.83 1.35
2010 4.85 1.39
2009 4.81 1.34
2008 4.73 1.39
2007 4.65 1.35
2006 4.65 1.37
2005 4.67 1.41
2004 4.69 1.4
2003 4.7 1.44
2002 4.7 1.46
2001 4.67 1.45
2000 4.72 1.55
1999 4.81 1.5
1998 4.91 1.47
1997 5 1.47
1996 5.03 1.44
1995 5.07 1.41
1994 5.1 1.45
1993 5.13 1.52
1992 5.18 1.54
1991 5.22 1.56
1990 5.27 1.56
1989 5.33 1.57
1988 5.39 1.61
1987 5.46 1.62
1986 5.51 1.66
1985 5.59 1.72
1984 5.66 1.9
1983 5.76 1.95
1982 5.85 2.07
1981 5.98 2.13
1980 6.07 2.25
1979 6.14 2.31
1978 6.21 2.45
1977 6.27 2.69
1976 6.32 2.82
1975 6.36 2.75
1974 6.39 2.7
1973 6.42 2.77
1972 6.44 2.86
1971 6.42 3
1970 6.38 3.01
1969 6.35 3.12
1968 6.33 3.12
1967 6.29 3.16
1966 6.27 3.16
1965 6.23 3.15
1964 6.18 3.21
1963 6.15 3.12
1962 6.1 3.23
1961 6.09 3.21
1960 6.09 3.16

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in the Congo was 4.16 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.44 in Portugal in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the Congo vs Portugal population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Congo
Portugal
1x
Year Natural population change
Congo Portugal
2023 150,486 -32,792
2022 147,076 -40,694
2021 144,241 -45,592
2020 143,492 -39,129
2019 139,513 -24,687
2018 142,704 -25,709
2017 141,973 -23,691
2016 141,358 -23,749
2015 141,539 -23,823
2014 141,674 -22,882
2013 142,080 -24,052
2012 142,464 -17,875
2011 140,371 -5,279
2010 136,908 -4,230
2009 126,904 -5,284
2008 120,711 0
2007 112,459 -1,055
2006 106,876 3,156
2005 101,344 2,101
2004 96,577 7,339
2003 91,326 4,184
2002 88,497 8,335
2001 84,876 8,290
2000 78,491 15,435
1999 76,204 8,175
1998 72,450 7,112
1997 66,149 8,087
1996 75,628 4,026
1995 74,189 4,011
1994 72,857 9,991
1993 71,119 7,972
1992 69,973 13,933
1991 68,534 12,948
1990 67,241 13,976
1989 65,944 22,011
1988 64,629 24,047
1987 63,183 28,084
1986 61,669 31,102
1985 60,359 33,077
1984 59,028 45,983
1983 58,120 47,798
1982 57,036 58,479
1981 56,603 56,152
1980 55,550 63,481
1979 54,723 67,628
1978 53,885 70,731
1977 53,179 84,156
1976 52,148 85,138
1975 51,155 81,841
1974 49,563 74,412
1973 48,017 76,835
1972 46,427 83,715
1971 44,431 82,980
1970 42,374 87,672
1969 40,532 89,329
1968 38,786 100,737
1967 36,866 106,495
1966 35,452 107,171
1965 33,865 115,182
1964 32,270 120,170
1963 30,832 113,783
1962 29,342 123,217
1961 28,220 117,867
1960 27,094 118,693

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | 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 +2.43% in the Congo and -0.31% in Portugal.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.59% in the Congo and -0.29% in Portugal.

Birth rate in Congo vs Portugal by year

Congo
Portugal

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Congo Portugal
2023 30.6 8.1
2022 30.9 8
2021 31.4 7.6
2020 31.7 8.1
2019 32.2 8.4
2018 32.8 8.4
2017 33.4 8.3
2016 34.1 8.4
2015 34.9 8.2
2014 35.8 7.9
2013 36.8 7.9
2012 37.8 8.5
2011 38.4 9.2
2010 38.9 9.6
2009 38 9.4
2008 38 9.9
2007 37.2 9.7
2006 37.1 10
2005 37 10.4
2004 37.1 10.4
2003 37 10.8
2002 37.3 11
2001 37.1 10.9
2000 36.2 11.7
1999 37 11.4
1998 37.5 11.2
1997 38.4 11.2
1996 38.4 11
1995 38.5 10.7
1994 38.6 10.9
1993 38.6 11.4
1992 38.7 11.5
1991 38.8 11.7
1990 38.9 11.7
1989 39.1 11.8
1988 39.2 12.2
1987 39.4 12.3
1986 39.6 12.6
1985 39.8 13
1984 40.1 14.3
1983 40.6 14.5
1982 40.8 15.2
1981 41.4 15.4
1980 41.8 16.2
1979 42.2 16.6
1978 42.7 17.5
1977 43.2 19.1
1976 43.6 20
1975 44 19.8
1974 44.1 19.6
1973 44.3 20
1972 44.5 20.2
1971 44.4 21
1970 44.1 20.8
1969 44 21.7
1968 43.9 22.1
1967 43.7 22.8
1966 43.6 23.2
1965 43.5 23.4
1964 43.4 24
1963 43.3 23.5
1962 43.2 24.5
1961 43.3 24.4
1960 43.5 24.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30.6 in the Congo and 8.1 in Portugal, compared with 43.5 and 24.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Congo Portugal
Fertility rate 4.16 1.44
Fertility rate rank 23/196 157/196
Birth rate 30.6 8.1
Birth rate rank 28/196 175/196
Population change due to births and deaths +150,486 -32,792
Natural population change rank 69/196 179/196
Natural population change rate +2.43% -0.31%
Population growth +2.43% +1.1%
Population growth rank 31/197 94/197
Age at first childbirth 19.6 years 30.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 32.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 106.3 5.74
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 181.5 48.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 57.5 14.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 20.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 18.3% 37.7%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 91.2% 98.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.24% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.77% 0.16%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.76% 0.26%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.05% 0.32%
Life expectancy 66.4 years 82.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Portugal
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Congo Portugal
2100 22.6% 13.8%
2099 22.7% 13.8%
2098 22.8% 13.8%
2097 23% 13.8%
2096 23.1% 13.9%
2095 23.3% 13.9%
2094 23.4% 13.9%
2093 23.6% 14%
2092 23.8% 14%
2091 23.9% 14%
2090 24.1% 14.1%
2089 24.3% 14.1%
2088 24.4% 14.1%
2087 24.6% 14.1%
2086 24.8% 14.2%
2085 25% 14.2%
2084 25.2% 14.2%
2083 25.4% 14.2%
2082 25.6% 14.2%
2081 25.9% 14.2%
2080 26.1% 14.2%
2079 26.3% 14.2%
2078 26.5% 14.2%
2077 26.7% 14.1%
2076 26.9% 14.1%
2075 27.1% 14.1%
2074 27.3% 14%
2073 27.5% 14%
2072 27.7% 13.9%
2071 27.9% 13.9%
2070 28.1% 13.8%
2069 28.3% 13.8%
2068 28.5% 13.7%
2067 28.7% 13.7%
2066 29% 13.6%
2065 29.2% 13.6%
2064 29.4% 13.5%
2063 29.6% 13.5%
2062 29.9% 13.5%
2061 30.1% 13.5%
2060 30.4% 13.5%
2059 30.7% 13.5%
2058 30.9% 13.5%
2057 31.2% 13.5%
2056 31.5% 13.5%
2055 31.8% 13.5%
2054 32.1% 13.5%
2053 32.4% 13.5%
2052 32.7% 13.5%
2051 32.9% 13.5%
2050 33.2% 13.5%
2049 33.5% 13.5%
2048 33.8% 13.4%
2047 34.1% 13.4%
2046 34.3% 13.4%
2045 34.6% 13.3%
2044 34.8% 13.3%
2043 35% 13.2%
2042 35.2% 13.1%
2041 35.4% 13.1%
2040 35.6% 13%
2039 35.7% 13%
2038 35.9% 13%
2037 36.1% 12.9%
2036 36.3% 12.8%
2035 36.5% 12.8%
2034 36.7% 12.7%
2033 36.9% 12.7%
2032 37.2% 12.7%
2031 37.5% 12.7%
2030 37.8% 12.7%
2029 38.2% 12.6%
2028 38.6% 12.6%
2027 39.1% 12.6%
2026 39.7% 12.7%
2025 40.2% 12.8%
2024 40.4% 12.8%
2023 40.9% 12.9%
2022 41.3% 13%
2021 41.5% 13.1%
2020 41.8% 13.3%
2019 41.9% 13.5%
2018 42.1% 13.7%
2017 42.1% 13.9%
2016 42.1% 14.1%
2015 41.9% 14.3%
2014 41.7% 14.6%
2013 41.3% 14.8%
2012 41% 14.9%
2011 40.6% 15%
2010 40.4% 15.2%
2009 40.5% 15.4%
2008 40.7% 15.5%
2007 40.7% 15.6%
2006 40.9% 15.8%
2005 41.1% 15.9%
2004 41.4% 16%
2003 41.7% 16.1%
2002 41.9% 16.1%
2001 41.9% 16.2%
2000 42.5% 16.4%
1999 43.1% 16.6%
1998 43.3% 16.8%
1997 43.3% 17.1%
1996 43.2% 17.4%
1995 43.3% 17.8%
1994 43.4% 18.2%
1993 43.6% 18.6%
1992 43.8% 19.1%
1991 44% 19.7%
1990 44.2% 20.5%
1989 44.3% 21.2%
1988 44.5% 21.9%
1987 44.6% 22.5%
1986 44.7% 23.1%
1985 44.9% 23.7%
1984 45% 24.1%
1983 45.2% 24.5%
1982 45.4% 25%
1981 45.6% 25.4%
1980 45.7% 25.9%
1979 45.8% 26.4%
1978 45.8% 26.8%
1977 45.8% 27.1%
1976 45.7% 27.2%
1975 45.5% 27.4%
1974 45.4% 27.7%
1973 45.2% 27.9%
1972 45% 28.2%
1971 44.8% 28.4%
1970 44.7% 28.7%
1969 44.5% 29.1%
1968 44.3% 29.2%
1967 44.2% 29.2%
1966 44% 29.2%
1965 43.9% 29.1%
1964 43.7% 29.1%
1963 43.5% 29.1%
1962 43.3% 29.1%
1961 43% 29.1%
1960 42.7% 29.3%

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/congo/portugal | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.4% of the population in the Congo and 12.8% in Portugal in 2024, compared to 44.2% and 20.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Congo and Portugal compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Congo vs Portugal

Congo
Portugal
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Congo Portugal
2023 241 15
2022 241 16
2021 301 19
2020 247 14
2019 245 15
2018 259 14
2017 262 13
2016 263 12
2015 284 11
2014 302 11
2013 320 10
2012 374 10
2011 378 10
2010 382 10
2009 414 9
2008 395 9
2007 370 8
2006 394 8
2005 385 8
2004 400 8
2003 436 8
2002 464 9
2001 489 9
2000 509 9
1999 554 10
1998 597 11
1997 650 12
1996 545 12
1995 551 12
1994 551 13
1993 541 15
1992 531 16
1991 514 17
1990 505 17
1989 506 18
1988 510 18
1987 519 19
1986 535 19
1985 546 20

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 241 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Congo, compared to 15 deaths in Portugal.

Under-five mortality rates

Congo
Portugal

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Congo Portugal
2023 4.05% 0.32%
2022 4.19% 0.32%
2021 4.33% 0.33%
2020 4.47% 0.34%
2019 5.24% 0.35%
2018 4.77% 0.35%
2017 4.93% 0.36%
2016 5.09% 0.36%
2015 5.27% 0.36%
2014 5.45% 0.36%
2013 5.64% 0.36%
2012 5.82% 0.37%
2011 6.02% 0.37%
2010 6.25% 0.38%
2009 6.55% 0.39%
2008 6.95% 0.4%
2007 7.43% 0.42%
2006 8.02% 0.44%
2005 8.66% 0.47%
2004 9.35% 0.5%
2003 10% 0.55%
2002 10.6% 0.61%
2001 11.1% 0.66%
2000 11.4% 0.72%
1999 11.5% 0.77%
1998 11.4% 0.82%
1997 11.2% 0.86%
1996 10.9% 0.92%
1995 10.5% 0.98%
1994 10.2% 1.05%
1993 9.84% 1.14%
1992 9.54% 1.25%
1991 9.31% 1.36%
1990 9.15% 1.47%
1989 9.05% 1.59%
1988 9.04% 1.7%
1987 9.11% 1.82%
1986 9.25% 1.93%
1985 9.44% 2.04%
1984 9.68% 2.16%
1983 9.95% 2.29%
1982 10.2% 2.43%
1981 10.5% 2.58%
1980 10.7% 2.75%
1979 11% 2.97%
1978 11.2% 3.24%
1977 11.5% 3.57%
1976 11.8% 3.94%
1975 12.1% 4.35%
1974 12.4% 4.79%
1973 12.6% 5.27%
1972 13% 5.78%
1971 13.4% 6.3%
1970 13.7% 6.81%
1969 14.2% 7.22%
1968 14.6% 7.51%
1967 15.1% 7.76%
1966 15.6% 8.09%
1965 16.1% 8.53%
1964 16.7% 9.1%
1963 17.3% 9.76%
1962 18% 10.4%
1961 18.6% 11%
1960 19.4% 11.4%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/portugal | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.05% in the Congo and 0.32% in Portugal. 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) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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