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Fertility & birth rates in Costa Rica and Liberia

Updated on by Georank team

Costa Rica has an annual birth rate of 10.2 births per 1,000 people, compared to 31 for Liberia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.33 in Costa Rica and 3.95 in Liberia — 197% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 80.2% in Costa Rica and by 38.2% in Liberia — in 1960, it was 6.71 and 6.39, respectively.

  • Costa Rica is ranked 145/196 by birth rate compared to 27/196 for Liberia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Costa Rica — it's 28.2 in Liberia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 26.3 in Costa Rica vs 126 in Liberia.
  • In Costa Rica, 25.9% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.7% in Liberia.

Fertility rate in Costa Rica vs Liberia by year

Costa Rica
Liberia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Costa Rica Liberia
2023 1.33 3.95
2022 1.34 4.02
2021 1.35 4.09
2020 1.45 4.17
2019 1.6 4.26
2018 1.71 4.34
2017 1.71 4.4
2016 1.75 4.46
2015 1.8 4.52
2014 1.8 4.62
2013 1.78 4.75
2012 1.85 4.88
2011 1.88 4.97
2010 1.83 5.06
2009 1.95 5.17
2008 1.98 5.33
2007 1.95 5.46
2006 1.94 5.53
2005 2.04 5.52
2004 2.03 5.51
2003 2.08 5.55
2002 2.16 5.65
2001 2.31 5.77
2000 2.41 5.88
1999 2.48 5.95
1998 2.53 6.02
1997 2.59 6.08
1996 2.68 6.13
1995 2.78 6.17
1994 2.86 6.21
1993 2.93 6.25
1992 3 6.28
1991 3.08 6.32
1990 3.17 6.37
1989 3.24 6.43
1988 3.31 6.51
1987 3.38 6.57
1986 3.45 6.64
1985 3.51 6.69
1984 3.52 6.73
1983 3.53 6.76
1982 3.54 6.79
1981 3.56 6.83
1980 3.58 6.87
1979 3.65 6.92
1978 3.66 6.88
1977 3.7 6.84
1976 3.75 6.79
1975 3.8 6.74
1974 3.89 6.69
1973 3.99 6.65
1972 4.16 6.6
1971 4.36 6.54
1970 4.59 6.58
1969 4.84 6.64
1968 5.03 6.66
1967 5.42 6.65
1966 5.7 6.63
1965 5.96 6.62
1964 6.19 6.59
1963 6.39 6.56
1962 6.54 6.5
1961 6.65 6.45
1960 6.71 6.39

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/liberia | 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 3.95 in Liberia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Costa Rica vs Liberia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Costa Rica
Liberia
1x
Year Natural population change
Costa Rica Liberia
2023 24,109 125,730
2022 21,409 123,747
2021 20,119 121,038
2020 29,164 120,632
2019 37,682 120,635
2018 42,469 120,231
2017 43,471 119,376
2016 45,565 118,852
2015 49,077 115,479
2014 49,559 116,667
2013 49,227 120,138
2012 52,036 121,973
2011 52,884 115,496
2010 50,803 114,249
2009 55,757 113,429
2008 56,491 112,032
2007 55,244 109,165
2006 54,177 104,099
2005 57,139 96,478
2004 55,769 91,755
2003 56,743 87,534
2002 58,388 88,643
2001 62,199 86,217
2000 64,268 83,143
1999 64,922 78,130
1998 64,788 72,146
1997 64,954 61,444
1996 66,094 56,392
1995 67,585 53,407
1994 68,336 52,101
1993 69,016 51,609
1992 69,830 50,204
1991 70,506 47,426
1990 71,727 52,770
1989 72,327 63,238
1988 72,944 62,703
1987 73,188 62,147
1986 73,211 61,924
1985 72,776 59,988
1984 71,062 59,460
1983 68,972 57,562
1982 66,826 56,127
1981 64,632 55,003
1980 62,561 53,452
1979 60,984 52,125
1978 58,327 49,813
1977 56,122 47,582
1976 54,019 45,528
1975 51,979 43,478
1974 50,349 41,499
1973 48,943 39,694
1972 48,417 37,860
1971 48,341 36,015
1970 48,398 35,196
1969 48,790 34,677
1968 48,361 33,536
1967 50,193 32,519
1966 50,755 31,454
1965 51,196 30,618
1964 51,435 29,592
1963 51,403 28,708
1962 51,046 27,679
1961 50,149 26,670
1960 48,857 25,713

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/liberia | 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 +2.29% in Liberia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.74% in Costa Rica and +2.41% in Liberia.

Birth rate in Costa Rica vs Liberia by year

Costa Rica
Liberia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Costa Rica Liberia
2023 10.2 31
2022 10.3 31.2
2021 10.5 31.5
2020 11.4 31.9
2019 12.7 32.4
2018 13.6 33
2017 13.8 33.4
2016 14.2 33.9
2015 14.7 34.3
2014 14.8 35.2
2013 14.8 36.2
2012 15.5 37.4
2011 15.8 36.9
2010 15.4 38
2009 16.5 38.8
2008 16.8 39.7
2007 16.6 40.4
2006 16.4 40.8
2005 17.3 40.6
2004 17.1 41.1
2003 17.6 42
2002 18.2 42
2001 19.4 42.6
2000 20.2 43.2
1999 20.7 43.3
1998 21 43.2
1997 21.5 41.7
1996 22.2 45
1995 23 44.2
1994 23.6 46.2
1993 24.3 45
1992 25 44.6
1991 25.7 44.6
1990 26.7 52.9
1989 27.5 45.8
1988 28.3 46.2
1987 29.1 46.7
1986 29.8 47.2
1985 30.4 47.6
1984 30.5 47.7
1983 30.5 47.7
1982 30.5 48
1981 30.4 48.4
1980 30.4 48.6
1979 30.5 48.9
1978 30.2 48.7
1977 30 48.5
1976 29.9 48.3
1975 29.8 48.1
1974 29.9 47.9
1973 30.1 47.8
1972 30.7 47.6
1971 31.6 47.4
1970 32.6 47.9
1969 33.8 48.6
1968 34.6 48.8
1967 36.8 49
1966 38.3 49.1
1965 39.9 49.3
1964 41.4 49.3
1963 42.7 49.2
1962 43.9 49
1961 44.8 48.7
1960 45.5 48.4

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.2 in Costa Rica and 31 in Liberia, compared with 45.5 and 48.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Costa Rica Liberia
Fertility rate 1.33 3.95
Fertility rate rank 171/196 29/196
Birth rate 10.2 31
Birth rate rank 145/196 27/196
Population change due to births and deaths +24,109 +125,730
Natural population change rank 105/196 73/196
Natural population change rate +0.47% +2.29%
Population growth +0.48% +2.18%
Population growth rank 138/197 43/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 19.1 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 28.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 22.8 123.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 65.4 163.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 13.4 53
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.9% 24.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 70% 23.9%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99% 84.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.02% 0.63%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.72% 2.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.92% 5.26%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.05% 7.29%
Life expectancy 81.4 years 62.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Costa Rica
Factual

UN forecast
Liberia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Costa Rica Liberia
2100 10.3% 20.5%
2099 10.3% 20.6%
2098 10.3% 20.7%
2097 10.3% 20.8%
2096 10.3% 21%
2095 10.4% 21.1%
2094 10.4% 21.2%
2093 10.4% 21.4%
2092 10.4% 21.5%
2091 10.4% 21.6%
2090 10.5% 21.8%
2089 10.5% 21.9%
2088 10.5% 22.1%
2087 10.5% 22.3%
2086 10.5% 22.4%
2085 10.5% 22.6%
2084 10.5% 22.7%
2083 10.6% 22.9%
2082 10.6% 23%
2081 10.5% 23.2%
2080 10.5% 23.4%
2079 10.5% 23.5%
2078 10.5% 23.7%
2077 10.5% 23.9%
2076 10.5% 24.1%
2075 10.5% 24.2%
2074 10.5% 24.4%
2073 10.5% 24.6%
2072 10.5% 24.8%
2071 10.5% 25%
2070 10.5% 25.2%
2069 10.6% 25.4%
2068 10.6% 25.6%
2067 10.7% 25.8%
2066 10.8% 26%
2065 10.8% 26.2%
2064 10.9% 26.5%
2063 11% 26.7%
2062 11.2% 27%
2061 11.3% 27.2%
2060 11.4% 27.5%
2059 11.5% 27.8%
2058 11.7% 28.1%
2057 11.8% 28.4%
2056 11.9% 28.7%
2055 12.1% 29%
2054 12.2% 29.3%
2053 12.3% 29.6%
2052 12.4% 29.9%
2051 12.6% 30.2%
2050 12.7% 30.5%
2049 12.8% 30.8%
2048 12.9% 31.2%
2047 13% 31.5%
2046 13% 31.8%
2045 13.1% 32.1%
2044 13.2% 32.4%
2043 13.3% 32.7%
2042 13.4% 33.1%
2041 13.5% 33.4%
2040 13.5% 33.7%
2039 13.6% 34.1%
2038 13.7% 34.4%
2037 13.9% 34.7%
2036 14% 35%
2035 14.2% 35.4%
2034 14.5% 35.7%
2033 14.9% 36%
2032 15.3% 36.4%
2031 15.7% 36.7%
2030 16.2% 37.1%
2029 16.7% 37.4%
2028 17.1% 37.9%
2027 17.6% 38.4%
2026 18.1% 38.9%
2025 18.5% 39.3%
2024 18.8% 39.5%
2023 19.3% 40%
2022 19.8% 40.5%
2021 20.3% 41%
2020 20.7% 41.4%
2019 21.1% 41.7%
2018 21.4% 42%
2017 21.8% 42.1%
2016 22.1% 42.3%
2015 22.5% 42.4%
2014 23% 42.5%
2013 23.4% 42.5%
2012 23.9% 42.4%
2011 24.3% 42.7%
2010 24.9% 43.1%
2009 25.4% 43.1%
2008 25.9% 43.2%
2007 26.5% 43.2%
2006 27.1% 43.1%
2005 27.7% 43%
2004 28.4% 42.9%
2003 29.1% 42.9%
2002 29.8% 42.9%
2001 30.5% 43%
2000 31.1% 43%
1999 31.8% 43.1%
1998 32.4% 43.2%
1997 33% 43.3%
1996 33.6% 43.4%
1995 34.1% 43.6%
1994 34.6% 43.8%
1993 35% 43.9%
1992 35.4% 44.1%
1991 35.7% 44.2%
1990 36% 44.1%
1989 36.1% 44.1%
1988 36.2% 44.2%
1987 36.2% 44.3%
1986 36.3% 44.3%
1985 36.3% 44.2%
1984 36.4% 44.2%
1983 36.5% 44.2%
1982 36.7% 44.2%
1981 37.1% 44.1%
1980 37.5% 44%
1979 38% 43.9%
1978 38.6% 43.8%
1977 39.2% 43.7%
1976 40% 43.6%
1975 40.8% 43.5%
1974 41.5% 43.4%
1973 42.3% 43.3%
1972 43.1% 43.2%
1971 43.8% 43%
1970 44.4% 42.9%
1969 45% 42.8%
1968 45.5% 42.6%
1967 45.9% 42.4%
1966 46.3% 42.2%
1965 46.5% 42%
1964 46.6% 41.7%
1963 46.7% 41.4%
1962 46.7% 41.2%
1961 46.6% 41.1%
1960 46.4% 41.1%

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/liberia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.8% of the population in Costa Rica and 39.5% in Liberia in 2024, compared to 36% and 44.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Costa Rica and Liberia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Costa Rica vs Liberia

Costa Rica
Liberia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Costa Rica Liberia
2023 24 628
2022 27 634
2021 44 667
2020 34 664
2019 26 689
2018 28 707
2017 27 703
2016 27 690
2015 26 784
2014 27 801
2013 27 725
2012 27 728
2011 28 726
2010 29 712
2009 29 674
2008 30 663
2007 30 659
2006 30 647
2005 31 619
2004 33 645
2003 33 759
2002 34 700
2001 35 720
2000 36 786
1999 36 852
1998 37 962
1997 38 1,043
1996 39 1,438
1995 39 1,530
1994 39 1,811
1993 39 1,709
1992 39 1,643
1991 39 1,627
1990 40 2,146
1989 40 1,633
1988 40 1,647
1987 41 1,655
1986 42 1,678
1985 43 1,749

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/costa-rica/liberia | 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 628 deaths in Liberia.

Under-five mortality rates

Costa Rica
Liberia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Costa Rica Liberia
2023 1.05% 7.29%
2022 1.01% 7.51%
2021 0.97% 7.74%
2020 0.94% 7.97%
2019 0.91% 8.19%
2018 0.89% 8.4%
2017 0.89% 8.6%
2016 0.89% 8.83%
2015 0.9% 9.08%
2014 0.92% 9.5%
2013 0.95% 9.54%
2012 0.98% 9.82%
2011 1.02% 10.1%
2010 1.05% 10.4%
2009 1.07% 10.8%
2008 1.09% 11.3%
2007 1.11% 11.8%
2006 1.12% 12.5%
2005 1.13% 13.3%
2004 1.15% 14.3%
2003 1.18% 15.4%
2002 1.22% 16.7%
2001 1.26% 17.9%
2000 1.31% 19.2%
1999 1.36% 20.5%
1998 1.41% 21.8%
1997 1.45% 23%
1996 1.47% 24.1%
1995 1.49% 25.1%
1994 1.51% 25.9%
1993 1.53% 26.6%
1992 1.57% 26.9%
1991 1.62% 27%
1990 1.69% 26.8%
1989 1.78% 26.4%
1988 1.89% 25.8%
1987 2.01% 25.2%
1986 2.12% 24.7%
1985 2.2% 24.3%
1984 2.25% 24.1%
1983 2.27% 24%
1982 2.29% 24.1%
1981 2.33% 24.3%
1980 2.45% 24.6%
1979 2.65% 24.9%
1978 2.96% 25.3%
1977 3.39% 25.6%
1976 3.93% 26%
1975 4.54% 26.5%
1974 5.17% 26.9%
1973 5.82% 27.4%
1972 6.45% 27.8%
1971 7.02% 28.3%
1970 7.48% 28.8%
1969 7.85% 29.3%
1968 8.17% 29.8%
1967 8.49% 30.2%
1966 8.78% 30.6%
1965 9.02% 30.8%
1964 9.18% 31.1%
1963 9.25% 31.2%
1962 9.27% 31.3%
1961 9.36% 31.3%
1960 9.62% 31.3%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.05% in Costa Rica and 7.29% in Liberia. 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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