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Fertility & birth rates in Costa Rica and Gambia

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has an annual birth rate of 10.2 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 1.33 in Costa Rica and 4.01 in the Gambia — 201.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 80.2% in Costa Rica and by 35.9% in the Gambia — in 1960, it was 6.71 and 6.25, respectively.

  • Costa Rica is ranked 145/196 by birth rate compared to 30/196 for the Gambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Costa Rica — it's 29.8 in the Gambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 26.3 in Costa Rica vs 58.1 in the Gambia.
  • In Costa Rica, 25.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.5% in the Gambia.

Fertility rate in Costa Rica vs Gambia by year

Costa Rica
Gambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 1.33 4.01
2022 1.34 4.08
2021 1.35 4.17
2020 1.45 4.25
2019 1.6 4.33
2018 1.71 4.42
2017 1.71 4.61
2016 1.75 4.81
2015 1.8 5
2014 1.8 5.2
2013 1.78 5.39
2012 1.85 5.52
2011 1.88 5.54
2010 1.83 5.56
2009 1.95 5.57
2008 1.98 5.63
2007 1.95 5.69
2006 1.94 5.74
2005 2.04 5.71
2004 2.03 5.68
2003 2.08 5.66
2002 2.16 5.66
2001 2.31 5.67
2000 2.41 5.72
1999 2.48 5.77
1998 2.53 5.82
1997 2.59 5.85
1996 2.68 5.93
1995 2.78 5.99
1994 2.86 6.04
1993 2.93 6.03
1992 3 6.11
1991 3.08 6.19
1990 3.17 6.25
1989 3.24 6.25
1988 3.31 6.26
1987 3.38 6.3
1986 3.45 6.34
1985 3.51 6.36
1984 3.52 6.39
1983 3.53 6.39
1982 3.54 6.4
1981 3.56 6.4
1980 3.58 6.41
1979 3.65 6.41
1978 3.66 6.42
1977 3.7 6.43
1976 3.75 6.43
1975 3.8 6.43
1974 3.89 6.42
1973 3.99 6.41
1972 4.16 6.37
1971 4.36 6.33
1970 4.59 6.26
1969 4.84 6.25
1968 5.03 6.22
1967 5.42 6.21
1966 5.7 6.18
1965 5.96 6.19
1964 6.19 6.2
1963 6.39 6.2
1962 6.54 6.21
1961 6.65 6.23
1960 6.71 6.25

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Costa Rica was 1.33 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 Costa Rica vs the Gambia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Costa Rica
Gambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 24,109 65,118
2022 21,409 63,634
2021 20,119 62,239
2020 29,164 62,209
2019 37,682 61,701
2018 42,469 60,854
2017 43,471 61,665
2016 45,565 62,358
2015 49,077 62,832
2014 49,559 63,185
2013 49,227 63,510
2012 52,036 62,745
2011 52,884 60,571
2010 50,803 58,554
2009 55,757 56,575
2008 56,491 55,032
2007 55,244 53,653
2006 54,177 52,335
2005 57,139 50,010
2004 55,769 48,276
2003 56,743 46,473
2002 58,388 45,156
2001 62,199 44,154
2000 64,268 43,249
1999 64,922 42,533
1998 64,788 41,842
1997 64,954 40,742
1996 66,094 40,253
1995 67,585 39,681
1994 68,336 38,880
1993 69,016 37,302
1992 69,830 35,951
1991 70,506 34,584
1990 71,727 33,163
1989 72,327 31,504
1988 72,944 29,938
1987 73,188 28,452
1986 73,211 27,195
1985 72,776 25,795
1984 71,062 24,586
1983 68,972 23,175
1982 66,826 21,894
1981 64,632 20,156
1980 62,561 19,566
1979 60,984 18,543
1978 58,327 17,424
1977 56,122 16,773
1976 54,019 16,032
1975 51,979 15,256
1974 50,349 14,628
1973 48,943 14,046
1972 48,417 13,432
1971 48,341 12,842
1970 48,398 12,128
1969 48,790 11,670
1968 48,361 11,215
1967 50,193 10,823
1966 50,755 10,422
1965 51,196 10,162
1964 51,435 9,825
1963 51,403 9,493
1962 51,046 9,150
1961 50,149 8,778
1960 48,857 8,420

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/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 +0.47% in Costa Rica and +2.41% in the Gambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.74% in Costa Rica and +2.59% in the Gambia.

Birth rate in Costa Rica vs Gambia by year

Costa Rica
Gambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 10.2 30.4
2022 10.3 30.8
2021 10.5 31.2
2020 11.4 31.5
2019 12.7 31.9
2018 13.6 32.3
2017 13.8 33.5
2016 14.2 34.6
2015 14.7 35.7
2014 14.8 36.9
2013 14.8 38.1
2012 15.5 38.8
2011 15.8 38.8
2010 15.4 38.9
2009 16.5 38.9
2008 16.8 39.2
2007 16.6 39.5
2006 16.4 39.9
2005 17.3 39.7
2004 17.1 39.7
2003 17.6 39.7
2002 18.2 40
2001 19.4 40.5
2000 20.2 41.1
1999 20.7 41.8
1998 21 42.5
1997 21.5 43.2
1996 22.2 44.1
1995 23 45.1
1994 23.6 45.9
1993 24.3 46.1
1992 25 46.6
1991 25.7 47.2
1990 26.7 47.7
1989 27.5 47.9
1988 28.3 48.1
1987 29.1 48.5
1986 29.8 48.8
1985 30.4 49
1984 30.5 49.3
1983 30.5 49
1982 30.5 48.8
1981 30.4 48.5
1980 30.4 48.2
1979 30.5 47.8
1978 30.2 47.6
1977 30 47.5
1976 29.9 47.4
1975 29.8 47.3
1974 29.9 47.3
1973 30.1 47.5
1972 30.7 47.5
1971 31.6 47.6
1970 32.6 47.4
1969 33.8 47.6
1968 34.6 47.9
1967 36.8 48.2
1966 38.3 48.5
1965 39.9 49
1964 41.4 49.4
1963 42.7 49.8
1962 43.9 50
1961 44.8 50.3
1960 45.5 50.4

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.2 in Costa Rica and 30.4 in the Gambia, compared with 45.5 and 50.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Costa Rica Gambia
Fertility rate 1.33 4.01
Fertility rate rank 171/196 26/196
Birth rate 10.2 30.4
Birth rate rank 145/196 30/196
Population change due to births and deaths +24,109 +65,118
Natural population change rank 105/196 88/196
Natural population change rate +0.47% +2.41%
Population growth +0.48% +2.3%
Population growth rank 138/197 37/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 20.7 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 29.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 22.8 52.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 65.4 170.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 13.4 67.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.9% 24.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 70% 17.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99% 83.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.02% 0.35%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.72% 2.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.92% 3.38%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.05% 4.41%
Life expectancy 81.4 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Costa Rica
Factual

UN forecast
Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Costa Rica Gambia
2100 10.3% 18.1%
2099 10.3% 18.2%
2098 10.3% 18.3%
2097 10.3% 18.4%
2096 10.3% 18.5%
2095 10.4% 18.6%
2094 10.4% 18.7%
2093 10.4% 18.9%
2092 10.4% 19%
2091 10.4% 19.1%
2090 10.5% 19.3%
2089 10.5% 19.4%
2088 10.5% 19.6%
2087 10.5% 19.7%
2086 10.5% 19.9%
2085 10.5% 20%
2084 10.5% 20.2%
2083 10.6% 20.3%
2082 10.6% 20.5%
2081 10.5% 20.6%
2080 10.5% 20.8%
2079 10.5% 21%
2078 10.5% 21.2%
2077 10.5% 21.3%
2076 10.5% 21.5%
2075 10.5% 21.7%
2074 10.5% 21.9%
2073 10.5% 22.1%
2072 10.5% 22.3%
2071 10.5% 22.6%
2070 10.5% 22.8%
2069 10.6% 23%
2068 10.6% 23.2%
2067 10.7% 23.5%
2066 10.8% 23.7%
2065 10.8% 24%
2064 10.9% 24.3%
2063 11% 24.5%
2062 11.2% 24.8%
2061 11.3% 25.1%
2060 11.4% 25.4%
2059 11.5% 25.7%
2058 11.7% 26%
2057 11.8% 26.3%
2056 11.9% 26.7%
2055 12.1% 27%
2054 12.2% 27.3%
2053 12.3% 27.6%
2052 12.4% 28%
2051 12.6% 28.3%
2050 12.7% 28.6%
2049 12.8% 28.9%
2048 12.9% 29.3%
2047 13% 29.6%
2046 13% 30%
2045 13.1% 30.3%
2044 13.2% 30.7%
2043 13.3% 31.1%
2042 13.4% 31.5%
2041 13.5% 31.9%
2040 13.5% 32.3%
2039 13.6% 32.7%
2038 13.7% 33.2%
2037 13.9% 33.6%
2036 14% 34.1%
2035 14.2% 34.5%
2034 14.5% 35%
2033 14.9% 35.4%
2032 15.3% 35.9%
2031 15.7% 36.4%
2030 16.2% 37%
2029 16.7% 37.6%
2028 17.1% 38.2%
2027 17.6% 38.9%
2026 18.1% 39.5%
2025 18.5% 40%
2024 18.8% 40.2%
2023 19.3% 40.7%
2022 19.8% 41.2%
2021 20.3% 41.6%
2020 20.7% 42%
2019 21.1% 42.4%
2018 21.4% 42.8%
2017 21.8% 43.1%
2016 22.1% 43.3%
2015 22.5% 43.6%
2014 23% 43.7%
2013 23.4% 43.9%
2012 23.9% 44.1%
2011 24.3% 44.3%
2010 24.9% 44.5%
2009 25.4% 44.8%
2008 25.9% 45.1%
2007 26.5% 45.3%
2006 27.1% 45.6%
2005 27.7% 45.9%
2004 28.4% 46.1%
2003 29.1% 46.4%
2002 29.8% 46.6%
2001 30.5% 46.7%
2000 31.1% 46.8%
1999 31.8% 46.9%
1998 32.4% 46.9%
1997 33% 46.9%
1996 33.6% 46.7%
1995 34.1% 46.5%
1994 34.6% 46.3%
1993 35% 46%
1992 35.4% 45.9%
1991 35.7% 45.8%
1990 36% 45.7%
1989 36.1% 45.6%
1988 36.2% 45.5%
1987 36.2% 45.4%
1986 36.3% 45.2%
1985 36.3% 45%
1984 36.4% 44.9%
1983 36.5% 44.6%
1982 36.7% 44.3%
1981 37.1% 44%
1980 37.5% 43.7%
1979 38% 43.5%
1978 38.6% 43.3%
1977 39.2% 43%
1976 40% 42.8%
1975 40.8% 42.6%
1974 41.5% 42.4%
1973 42.3% 42.3%
1972 43.1% 42.2%
1971 43.8% 42.1%
1970 44.4% 42%
1969 45% 41.9%
1968 45.5% 41.8%
1967 45.9% 41.6%
1966 46.3% 41.5%
1965 46.5% 41.3%
1964 46.6% 41%
1963 46.7% 40.8%
1962 46.7% 40.7%
1961 46.6% 40.8%
1960 46.4% 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/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.8% of the population in Costa Rica and 40.2% in the Gambia in 2024, compared to 36% and 45.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Costa Rica 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/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Costa Rica vs Gambia

Costa Rica
Gambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 24 354
2022 27 365
2021 44 420
2020 34 400
2019 26 422
2018 28 450
2017 27 469
2016 27 490
2015 26 527
2014 27 561
2013 27 606
2012 27 628
2011 28 634
2010 29 632
2009 29 634
2008 30 653
2007 30 675
2006 30 682
2005 31 707
2004 33 719
2003 33 749
2002 34 772
2001 35 794
2000 36 810
1999 36 830
1998 37 867
1997 38 928
1996 39 956
1995 39 999
1994 39 1,039
1993 39 1,072
1992 39 1,115
1991 39 1,167
1990 40 1,207
1989 40 1,258
1988 40 1,302
1987 41 1,360
1986 42 1,401
1985 43 1,454

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 24 deaths per 100,000 live births in Costa Rica, compared to 354 deaths in the Gambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Costa Rica
Gambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Costa Rica Gambia
2023 1.05% 4.41%
2022 1.01% 4.56%
2021 0.97% 4.72%
2020 0.94% 4.89%
2019 0.91% 5.07%
2018 0.89% 5.27%
2017 0.89% 5.47%
2016 0.89% 5.7%
2015 0.9% 5.93%
2014 0.92% 6.18%
2013 0.95% 6.45%
2012 0.98% 6.73%
2011 1.02% 7.01%
2010 1.05% 7.31%
2009 1.07% 7.64%
2008 1.09% 7.98%
2007 1.11% 8.33%
2006 1.12% 8.71%
2005 1.13% 9.11%
2004 1.15% 9.52%
2003 1.18% 9.95%
2002 1.22% 10.4%
2001 1.26% 10.9%
2000 1.31% 11.3%
1999 1.36% 11.8%
1998 1.41% 12.3%
1997 1.45% 12.8%
1996 1.47% 13.3%
1995 1.49% 13.9%
1994 1.51% 14.4%
1993 1.53% 14.9%
1992 1.57% 15.5%
1991 1.62% 16%
1990 1.69% 16.6%
1989 1.78% 17.2%
1988 1.89% 17.8%
1987 2.01% 18.4%
1986 2.12% 19.1%
1985 2.2% 19.7%
1984 2.25% 20.4%
1983 2.27% 21%
1982 2.29% 21.7%
1981 2.33% 22.3%
1980 2.45% 23%
1979 2.65% 23.6%
1978 2.96% 24.2%
1977 3.39% 24.9%
1976 3.93% 25.5%
1975 4.54% 26.2%
1974 5.17% 26.9%
1973 5.82% 27.5%
1972 6.45% 28.2%
1971 7.02% 28.9%
1970 7.48% 29.5%
1969 7.85% 30.2%
1968 8.17% 30.9%
1967 8.49% 31.5%
1966 8.78% 32.1%
1965 9.02% 32.8%
1964 9.18% 33.5%
1963 9.25% 34.1%
1962 9.27% 34.8%
1961 9.36% 35.5%
1960 9.62% 36.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/gambia | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.05% in Costa Rica 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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