Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Congo and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

The Congo has an annual birth rate of 30.6 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.2 for Sao Tome and Principe. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.16 in the Congo and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 12.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 31.7% in the Congo and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 6.09 and 6.24, respectively.

  • The Congo is ranked 28/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.6 years in the Congo, compared to 19.4 years in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in the Congo — it's 28.4 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 109.9 in the Congo vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In the Congo, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Congo Sao Tome
2023 4.16 3.64
2022 4.22 3.7
2021 4.28 3.76
2020 4.33 3.83
2019 4.38 3.9
2018 4.44 3.98
2017 4.5 4.07
2016 4.55 4.2
2015 4.61 4.35
2014 4.67 4.49
2013 4.73 4.58
2012 4.79 4.66
2011 4.83 4.72
2010 4.85 4.77
2009 4.81 4.84
2008 4.73 4.91
2007 4.65 4.96
2006 4.65 4.93
2005 4.67 4.94
2004 4.69 4.96
2003 4.7 5.01
2002 4.7 5.06
2001 4.67 5.1
2000 4.72 5.16
1999 4.81 5.23
1998 4.91 5.3
1997 5 5.4
1996 5.03 5.47
1995 5.07 5.55
1994 5.1 5.56
1993 5.13 5.64
1992 5.18 5.7
1991 5.22 5.77
1990 5.27 5.83
1989 5.33 5.88
1988 5.39 5.94
1987 5.46 5.99
1986 5.51 6.05
1985 5.59 6.1
1984 5.66 6.16
1983 5.76 6.22
1982 5.85 6.28
1981 5.98 6.33
1980 6.07 6.39
1979 6.14 6.43
1978 6.21 6.47
1977 6.27 6.5
1976 6.32 6.52
1975 6.36 6.53
1974 6.39 6.53
1973 6.42 6.53
1972 6.44 6.51
1971 6.42 6.49
1970 6.38 6.47
1969 6.35 6.44
1968 6.33 6.42
1967 6.29 6.39
1966 6.27 6.37
1965 6.23 6.35
1964 6.18 6.33
1963 6.15 6.31
1962 6.1 6.28
1961 6.09 6.26
1960 6.09 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Congo Sao Tome
2023 150,486 5,221
2022 147,076 5,102
2021 144,241 4,954
2020 143,492 4,874
2019 139,513 4,932
2018 142,704 4,957
2017 141,973 5,007
2016 141,358 5,125
2015 141,539 5,269
2014 141,674 5,381
2013 142,080 5,449
2012 142,464 5,501
2011 140,371 5,445
2010 136,908 5,391
2009 126,904 5,349
2008 120,711 5,297
2007 112,459 5,226
2006 106,876 5,057
2005 101,344 4,897
2004 96,577 4,810
2003 91,326 4,702
2002 88,497 4,591
2001 84,876 4,471
2000 78,491 4,334
1999 76,204 4,221
1998 72,450 4,120
1997 66,149 4,041
1996 75,628 3,993
1995 74,189 3,948
1994 72,857 3,860
1993 71,119 3,841
1992 69,973 3,822
1991 68,534 3,801
1990 67,241 3,719
1989 65,944 3,576
1988 64,629 3,544
1987 63,183 3,440
1986 61,669 3,180
1985 60,359 3,242
1984 59,028 3,163
1983 58,120 3,100
1982 57,036 3,047
1981 56,603 3,015
1980 55,550 2,965
1979 54,723 2,893
1978 53,885 2,800
1977 53,179 2,705
1976 52,148 2,608
1975 51,155 2,515
1974 49,563 2,422
1973 48,017 2,329
1972 46,427 2,232
1971 44,431 2,127
1970 42,374 1,980
1969 40,532 1,862
1968 38,786 1,767
1967 36,866 1,693
1966 35,452 1,642
1965 33,865 1,611
1964 32,270 1,600
1963 30,832 1,609
1962 29,342 1,625
1961 28,220 1,657
1960 27,094 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.59% in the Congo and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Congo
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Congo Sao Tome
2023 30.6 28.2
2022 30.9 28.3
2021 31.4 28.5
2020 31.7 28.6
2019 32.2 29.2
2018 32.8 29.8
2017 33.4 30.6
2016 34.1 31.7
2015 34.9 33
2014 35.8 34.3
2013 36.8 35.4
2012 37.8 36.4
2011 38.4 36.8
2010 38.9 37.3
2009 38 37.9
2008 38 38.5
2007 37.2 38.9
2006 37.1 38.9
2005 37 39
2004 37.1 39.2
2003 37 39.6
2002 37.3 39.8
2001 37.1 40
2000 36.2 39.7
1999 37 39.4
1998 37.5 39.2
1997 38.4 39.2
1996 38.4 39.3
1995 38.5 39.5
1994 38.6 39.4
1993 38.6 39.8
1992 38.7 40.2
1991 38.8 40.7
1990 38.9 40.7
1989 39.1 40.9
1988 39.2 40.9
1987 39.4 41
1986 39.6 41
1985 39.8 41
1984 40.1 41.1
1983 40.6 41.2
1982 40.8 41.3
1981 41.4 41.5
1980 41.8 41.6
1979 42.2 41.6
1978 42.7 41.4
1977 43.2 41.3
1976 43.6 41.1
1975 44 40.9
1974 44.1 40.6
1973 44.3 40.3
1972 44.5 39.9
1971 44.4 39.5
1970 44.1 38.8
1969 44 38.2
1968 43.9 37.8
1967 43.7 37.7
1966 43.6 38
1965 43.5 38.6
1964 43.4 39.7
1963 43.3 41.1
1962 43.2 42.7
1961 43.3 44.6
1960 43.5 44.6

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30.6 in the Congo and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 43.5 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Congo Sao Tome
Fertility rate 4.16 3.64
Fertility rate rank 23/196 41/196
Birth rate 30.6 28.2
Birth rate rank 28/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +150,486 +5,221
Natural population change rank 69/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +2.43% +2.26%
Population growth +2.43% +2.02%
Population growth rank 31/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth 19.6 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 106.3 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 181.5 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 57.5 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 18.3% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 91.2% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.24% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.77% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.76% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.05% 1.39%
Life expectancy 66.4 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Congo Sao Tome
2100 22.6% 19.5%
2099 22.7% 19.6%
2098 22.8% 19.8%
2097 23% 19.9%
2096 23.1% 20%
2095 23.3% 20.2%
2094 23.4% 20.3%
2093 23.6% 20.4%
2092 23.8% 20.6%
2091 23.9% 20.7%
2090 24.1% 20.9%
2089 24.3% 21.1%
2088 24.4% 21.2%
2087 24.6% 21.4%
2086 24.8% 21.6%
2085 25% 21.8%
2084 25.2% 22%
2083 25.4% 22.2%
2082 25.6% 22.4%
2081 25.9% 22.6%
2080 26.1% 22.9%
2079 26.3% 23.1%
2078 26.5% 23.3%
2077 26.7% 23.5%
2076 26.9% 23.7%
2075 27.1% 24%
2074 27.3% 24.2%
2073 27.5% 24.4%
2072 27.7% 24.6%
2071 27.9% 24.8%
2070 28.1% 25%
2069 28.3% 25.2%
2068 28.5% 25.4%
2067 28.7% 25.6%
2066 29% 25.9%
2065 29.2% 26.1%
2064 29.4% 26.3%
2063 29.6% 26.5%
2062 29.9% 26.8%
2061 30.1% 27%
2060 30.4% 27.3%
2059 30.7% 27.5%
2058 30.9% 27.8%
2057 31.2% 28.1%
2056 31.5% 28.4%
2055 31.8% 28.7%
2054 32.1% 29%
2053 32.4% 29.4%
2052 32.7% 29.7%
2051 32.9% 30.1%
2050 33.2% 30.4%
2049 33.5% 30.8%
2048 33.8% 31.1%
2047 34.1% 31.5%
2046 34.3% 31.8%
2045 34.6% 32.1%
2044 34.8% 32.5%
2043 35% 32.8%
2042 35.2% 33.1%
2041 35.4% 33.4%
2040 35.6% 33.6%
2039 35.7% 33.9%
2038 35.9% 34.1%
2037 36.1% 34.4%
2036 36.3% 34.6%
2035 36.5% 34.7%
2034 36.7% 34.9%
2033 36.9% 35.1%
2032 37.2% 35.3%
2031 37.5% 35.5%
2030 37.8% 35.8%
2029 38.2% 36.1%
2028 38.6% 36.6%
2027 39.1% 37%
2026 39.7% 37.3%
2025 40.2% 37.6%
2024 40.4% 37.8%
2023 40.9% 38.3%
2022 41.3% 38.8%
2021 41.5% 39.4%
2020 41.8% 39.9%
2019 41.9% 40.5%
2018 42.1% 40.9%
2017 42.1% 41.4%
2016 42.1% 41.7%
2015 41.9% 41.9%
2014 41.7% 42%
2013 41.3% 42%
2012 41% 42%
2011 40.6% 42%
2010 40.4% 42.1%
2009 40.5% 42.1%
2008 40.7% 42.1%
2007 40.7% 42%
2006 40.9% 42%
2005 41.1% 42%
2004 41.4% 42.1%
2003 41.7% 42.2%
2002 41.9% 42.3%
2001 41.9% 42.5%
2000 42.5% 42.8%
1999 43.1% 43.4%
1998 43.3% 43.9%
1997 43.3% 44.3%
1996 43.2% 44.7%
1995 43.3% 44.9%
1994 43.4% 45.1%
1993 43.6% 45.2%
1992 43.8% 45.2%
1991 44% 45.1%
1990 44.2% 45.1%
1989 44.3% 45%
1988 44.5% 45%
1987 44.6% 44.9%
1986 44.7% 44.7%
1985 44.9% 44.5%
1984 45% 44.4%
1983 45.2% 44.5%
1982 45.4% 44.5%
1981 45.6% 44.7%
1980 45.7% 44.9%
1979 45.8% 45.1%
1978 45.8% 45.2%
1977 45.8% 45.3%
1976 45.7% 45.4%
1975 45.5% 45.5%
1974 45.4% 45.6%
1973 45.2% 45.7%
1972 45% 45.9%
1971 44.8% 46.1%
1970 44.7% 46.2%
1969 44.5% 45.8%
1968 44.3% 44.9%
1967 44.2% 44%
1966 44% 42.9%
1965 43.9% 41.6%
1964 43.7% 40.2%
1963 43.5% 38.5%
1962 43.3% 36.6%
1961 43% 34.3%
1960 42.7% 32.9%

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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.4% of the population in the Congo and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 44.2% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Congo and Sao Tome and Principe compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe

Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Congo Sao Tome
2023 241 75
2022 241 82
2021 301 98
2020 247 92
2019 245 95
2018 259 100
2017 262 110
2016 263 119
2015 284 128
2014 302 138
2013 320 150
2012 374 158
2011 378 164
2010 382 170
2009 414 172
2008 395 174
2007 370 174
2006 394 177
2005 385 181
2004 400 177
2003 436 178
2002 464 179
2001 489 178
2000 509 180
1999 554 179
1998 597 175
1997 650 173
1996 545 171
1995 551 172
1994 551 168
1993 541 166
1992 531 164
1991 514 166
1990 505 164
1989 506 167
1988 510 157
1987 519 161
1986 535 175
1985 546 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Congo
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Congo Sao Tome
2023 4.05% 1.39%
2022 4.19% 1.46%
2021 4.33% 1.53%
2020 4.47% 1.6%
2019 5.24% 1.7%
2018 4.77% 1.81%
2017 4.93% 1.95%
2016 5.09% 2.11%
2015 5.27% 2.31%
2014 5.45% 2.54%
2013 5.64% 2.77%
2012 5.82% 3.04%
2011 6.02% 3.33%
2010 6.25% 3.63%
2009 6.55% 3.95%
2008 6.95% 4.3%
2007 7.43% 4.68%
2006 8.02% 5.11%
2005 8.66% 5.56%
2004 9.35% 6.05%
2003 10% 6.57%
2002 10.6% 7.1%
2001 11.1% 7.66%
2000 11.4% 8.21%
1999 11.5% 8.76%
1998 11.4% 9.26%
1997 11.2% 9.73%
1996 10.9% 10.1%
1995 10.5% 10.4%
1994 10.2% 10.7%
1993 9.84% 10.8%
1992 9.54% 10.9%
1991 9.31% 10.9%
1990 9.15% 10.8%
1989 9.05% 10.7%
1988 9.04% 10.6%
1987 9.11% 10.4%
1986 9.25% 11.4%
1985 9.44% 9.99%
1984 9.68% 9.77%
1983 9.95% 9.56%
1982 10.2% 9.37%
1981 10.5% 9.21%
1980 10.7% 9.1%
1979 11% 9.02%
1978 11.2% 8.96%
1977 11.5% 8.93%
1976 11.8% 8.89%
1975 12.1% 8.85%
1974 12.4% 8.79%
1973 12.6% 8.73%
1972 13% 8.67%
1971 13.4% 8.63%
1970 13.7% 8.64%
1969 14.2% 8.71%
1968 14.6% 8.85%
1967 15.1% 9.04%
1966 15.6% 9.29%
1965 16.1% 9.56%
1964 16.7% -
1963 17.3% -
1962 18% -
1961 18.6% -
1960 19.4% -

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.05% in the Congo and 1.39% in Sao Tome and Principe. 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.