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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and East Timor

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 22.1 for East Timor. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 6.05 in the DR Congo and 2.71 in East Timor — 55.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 57.2% in East Timor — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 6.32, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 62/196 for East Timor.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in the DR Congo, compared to 23 years in East Timor.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.1 in the DR Congo — it's 29.2 in East Timor.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 27.4 in East Timor.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in East Timor.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs East Timor by year

DR Congo
East Timor
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo East Timor
2023 6.05 2.71
2022 6.11 2.8
2021 6.16 2.89
2020 6.21 3.01
2019 6.25 3.12
2018 6.3 3.24
2017 6.35 3.4
2016 6.39 3.58
2015 6.44 3.78
2014 6.48 4
2013 6.53 4.21
2012 6.56 4.4
2011 6.58 4.61
2010 6.59 4.82
2009 6.59 4.99
2008 6.58 5.17
2007 6.56 5.33
2006 6.55 5.47
2005 6.53 5.61
2004 6.53 5.74
2003 6.55 5.85
2002 6.61 5.9
2001 6.66 5.92
2000 6.7 5.93
1999 6.69 5.97
1998 6.7 5.96
1997 6.69 5.96
1996 6.67 5.94
1995 6.68 5.94
1994 6.64 5.91
1993 6.64 5.88
1992 6.64 5.87
1991 6.65 5.84
1990 6.65 5.81
1989 6.65 5.76
1988 6.66 5.72
1987 6.65 5.68
1986 6.63 5.67
1985 6.61 5.65
1984 6.59 5.61
1983 6.56 5.59
1982 6.54 5.56
1981 6.52 5.53
1980 6.5 5.22
1979 6.48 5.14
1978 6.46 5.09
1977 6.45 5.09
1976 6.44 5.12
1975 6.42 5.19
1974 6.4 5.29
1973 6.39 5.39
1972 6.37 5.49
1971 6.34 5.58
1970 6.33 5.66
1969 6.3 5.72
1968 6.29 5.79
1967 6.27 5.86
1966 6.24 5.93
1965 6.21 6.01
1964 6.19 6.08
1963 6.16 6.16
1962 6.14 6.22
1961 6.12 6.27
1960 6.11 6.32

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in the DR Congo was 6.05 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.71 in East Timor in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the DR Congo vs East Timor population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
East Timor
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo East Timor
2023 3,467,787 20,495
2022 3,347,664 20,625
2021 3,227,992 20,101
2020 3,156,152 21,166
2019 3,075,538 21,307
2018 2,993,184 21,650
2017 2,883,245 22,145
2016 2,753,687 22,778
2015 2,665,016 23,391
2014 2,580,251 24,040
2013 2,489,378 24,538
2012 2,405,462 24,890
2011 2,310,679 25,237
2010 2,212,255 25,515
2009 2,126,912 25,696
2008 2,044,210 25,888
2007 1,963,738 26,074
2006 1,889,398 26,221
2005 1,800,300 26,412
2004 1,731,022 26,751
2003 1,679,188 26,900
2002 1,631,597 25,410
2001 1,594,999 23,314
2000 1,549,518 21,579
1999 1,450,318 21,871
1998 1,375,130 23,590
1997 1,392,037 23,501
1996 1,380,490 22,703
1995 1,395,440 21,962
1994 1,259,539 21,746
1993 1,209,242 20,770
1992 1,152,781 19,880
1991 1,114,033 18,605
1990 1,063,508 18,343
1989 1,027,238 17,758
1988 995,278 12,118
1987 959,875 11,945
1986 925,334 11,062
1985 885,670 10,788
1984 844,956 10,922
1983 807,122 9,686
1982 774,823 9,579
1981 748,371 9,336
1980 724,111 6,940
1979 691,773 987
1978 646,411 -1,000
1977 638,242 296
1976 624,147 783
1975 608,655 -1,062
1974 593,539 8,405
1973 578,280 10,033
1972 564,495 10,030
1971 549,343 9,964
1970 533,300 9,824
1969 514,800 9,611
1968 497,682 9,356
1967 479,552 9,089
1966 463,397 8,810
1965 429,002 8,526
1964 406,334 8,235
1963 398,972 7,938
1962 383,406 7,639
1961 368,207 7,330
1960 363,517 7,012

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | 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 +3.28% in the DR Congo and +1.48% in East Timor.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +1.7% in East Timor.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs East Timor by year

DR Congo
East Timor

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo East Timor
2023 41.3 22.1
2022 41.6 22.4
2021 41.9 22.7
2020 42.2 23.4
2019 42.5 23.9
2018 42.9 24.5
2017 43 25.3
2016 42.9 26.2
2015 43.2 27.1
2014 43.5 28.1
2013 43.7 29
2012 44 29.8
2011 44 30.7
2010 43.9 31.5
2009 44 32.3
2008 44 33.1
2007 44 34
2006 44 35.1
2005 43.7 36.2
2004 43.8 37.5
2003 44.2 38.4
2002 44.6 38
2001 45 38
2000 45.3 38.6
1999 45.2 46.8
1998 44.9 40.7
1997 46 41
1996 47 41.3
1995 47.2 41.7
1994 45.3 42
1993 45.9 42.1
1992 45.7 42.3
1991 46 42.3
1990 45.9 42.7
1989 46.1 42.9
1988 46.4 43.1
1987 46.5 43.3
1986 46.6 43.8
1985 46.5 44.2
1984 46.2 44.5
1983 46.1 45
1982 46 45.6
1981 46.1 46.3
1980 46.1 43.3
1979 45.8 42
1978 45.4 40.6
1977 45.9 39.6
1976 46.2 39
1975 46.4 38.5
1974 46.6 39.6
1973 46.9 40.4
1972 47.1 41.3
1971 47.4 42.1
1970 47.6 42.8
1969 47.7 43.3
1968 47.8 43.8
1967 47.9 44.2
1966 47.9 44.5
1965 47.8 44.8
1964 47.7 45
1963 47.5 45.2
1962 47.4 45.3
1961 47.2 45.3
1960 47.1 45.2

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 22.1 in East Timor, compared with 47.1 and 45.2, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo East Timor
Fertility rate 6.05 2.71
Fertility rate rank 4/196 65/196
Birth rate 41.3 22.1
Birth rate rank 5/196 62/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 +20,495
Natural population change rank 4/196 107/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% +1.48%
Population growth +3.3% +1.18%
Population growth rank 11/197 91/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 23 years
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 29.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 25.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 135.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 38.1
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.3% 25.9%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.6% 24.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 56.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.19%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 2.22%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 3.59%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 5%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 68.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
East Timor
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo East Timor
2100 23.4% 15.2%
2099 23.6% 15.3%
2098 23.8% 15.3%
2097 24% 15.3%
2096 24.2% 15.4%
2095 24.4% 15.4%
2094 24.6% 15.5%
2093 24.8% 15.6%
2092 25% 15.6%
2091 25.2% 15.7%
2090 25.4% 15.8%
2089 25.6% 15.9%
2088 25.8% 16%
2087 26.1% 16.1%
2086 26.3% 16.2%
2085 26.5% 16.4%
2084 26.8% 16.5%
2083 27% 16.6%
2082 27.2% 16.8%
2081 27.5% 16.9%
2080 27.8% 17%
2079 28% 17.2%
2078 28.3% 17.3%
2077 28.6% 17.4%
2076 28.9% 17.5%
2075 29.2% 17.7%
2074 29.5% 17.8%
2073 29.8% 17.9%
2072 30.1% 18%
2071 30.4% 18.2%
2070 30.7% 18.3%
2069 31.1% 18.4%
2068 31.4% 18.6%
2067 31.7% 18.7%
2066 32.1% 18.9%
2065 32.4% 19%
2064 32.8% 19.2%
2063 33.1% 19.4%
2062 33.5% 19.6%
2061 33.8% 19.9%
2060 34.1% 20.1%
2059 34.5% 20.4%
2058 34.8% 20.7%
2057 35.1% 21%
2056 35.5% 21.3%
2055 35.8% 21.6%
2054 36.1% 21.9%
2053 36.5% 22.3%
2052 36.8% 22.6%
2051 37.1% 23%
2050 37.5% 23.3%
2049 37.8% 23.6%
2048 38.2% 24%
2047 38.6% 24.3%
2046 39% 24.6%
2045 39.4% 24.9%
2044 39.8% 25.2%
2043 40.2% 25.5%
2042 40.6% 25.8%
2041 41.1% 26.1%
2040 41.5% 26.3%
2039 42% 26.5%
2038 42.4% 26.8%
2037 42.8% 27%
2036 43.2% 27.4%
2035 43.6% 27.8%
2034 44% 28.4%
2033 44.3% 28.9%
2032 44.6% 29.5%
2031 44.9% 30.1%
2030 45.2% 30.8%
2029 45.4% 31.3%
2028 45.6% 31.9%
2027 45.8% 32.4%
2026 45.9% 32.9%
2025 46% 33.4%
2024 46% 33.7%
2023 46.1% 34.2%
2022 46.1% 34.8%
2021 46.1% 35.4%
2020 46.1% 36%
2019 46% 36.6%
2018 45.9% 37.2%
2017 45.8% 37.8%
2016 45.9% 38.4%
2015 46% 39.1%
2014 46% 39.8%
2013 46% 40.4%
2012 46% 40.9%
2011 46% 41.3%
2010 46.1% 41.6%
2009 46.1% 41.9%
2008 46% 42.1%
2007 46% 42.3%
2006 45.9% 42.2%
2005 45.9% 42.1%
2004 45.9% 42%
2003 45.8% 42.2%
2002 45.7% 42.4%
2001 45.7% 42.5%
2000 45.7% 42.6%
1999 45.6% 42.7%
1998 45.6% 42.9%
1997 45.4% 43%
1996 44.7% 43%
1995 44% 43%
1994 44.1% 42.9%
1993 44.5% 42.7%
1992 44.5% 42.6%
1991 44.4% 42.4%
1990 44.4% 42.2%
1989 44.3% 41.9%
1988 44.3% 41.3%
1987 44.2% 40.7%
1986 44.1% 40.2%
1985 44.1% 39.7%
1984 44.1% 39.3%
1983 44.2% 38.8%
1982 44.3% 38.4%
1981 44.3% 37.8%
1980 44.2% 37.4%
1979 44.3% 37.5%
1978 44.5% 38%
1977 44.6% 38.5%
1976 44.5% 39%
1975 44.3% 39.4%
1974 44.2% 39.7%
1973 44% 39.8%
1972 43.8% 39.7%
1971 43.6% 39.7%
1970 43.4% 39.6%
1969 43.3% 39.5%
1968 43.2% 39.3%
1967 43% 39.1%
1966 42.9% 38.9%
1965 42.8% 38.7%
1964 42.7% 38.8%
1963 42.7% 39%
1962 42.7% 39.3%
1961 42.8% 39.7%
1960 42.9% 40.1%

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/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 33.7% in East Timor in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 42.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and East Timor compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs East Timor

DR Congo
East Timor
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo East Timor
2023 427 192
2022 456 235
2021 507 263
2020 489 257
2019 493 237
2018 508 251
2017 519 269
2016 526 287
2015 545 305
2014 558 327
2013 567 349
2012 578 374
2011 589 404
2010 601 439
2009 608 477
2008 620 518
2007 631 559
2006 619 600
2005 613 648
2004 607 683
2003 605 714
2002 601 724
2001 588 761
2000 585 796
1999 601 1,488
1998 605 1,157
1997 617 1,166
1996 661 1,193
1995 644 1,239
1994 656 1,254
1993 683 1,308
1992 709 1,368
1991 735 1,439
1990 755 1,477
1989 791 1,511
1988 824 1,743
1987 863 1,763
1986 902 1,860
1985 934 1,916

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 427 deaths per 100,000 live births in the DR Congo, compared to 192 deaths in East Timor.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
East Timor

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo East Timor
2023 7.32% 5%
2022 7.57% 5.14%
2021 7.81% 5.28%
2020 8.07% 5.42%
2019 8.35% 5.55%
2018 8.63% 5.66%
2017 8.93% 5.78%
2016 9.23% 5.91%
2015 9.56% 6.06%
2014 9.9% 6.23%
2013 10.3% 6.42%
2012 10.6% 6.63%
2011 11% 6.86%
2010 11.4% 7.11%
2009 11.8% 7.38%
2008 12.2% 7.68%
2007 12.7% 8.01%
2006 13.1% 8.36%
2005 13.6% 8.75%
2004 14.1% 9.17%
2003 14.6% 9.61%
2002 15% 10.1%
2001 15.5% 10.6%
2000 15.9% 11.1%
1999 16.3% 19.4%
1998 16.7% 18%
1997 17% 17.7%
1996 17.3% 18.5%
1995 17.5% 19.3%
1994 17.7% 19.2%
1993 17.9% 20%
1992 18.1% 21.1%
1991 18.3% 22.2%
1990 18.5% 22.5%
1989 18.8% 23%
1988 19% 24.1%
1987 19.2% 24.4%
1986 19.5% 26.3%
1985 19.7% 27.1%
1984 20% -
1983 20.3% -
1982 20.6% -
1981 20.9% -
1980 21.2% -
1979 21.5% -
1978 21.9% -
1977 22.3% -
1976 22.6% -
1975 23% -
1974 23.4% -
1973 23.7% -
1972 24% -
1971 24.3% -
1970 24.7% -
1969 25.1% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1969–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/east-timor | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 5% in East Timor. 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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