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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Netherlands

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 9.2 for the Netherlands. 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 1.43 in the Netherlands — 76.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 54.2% in the Netherlands — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 3.12, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 157/196 for the Netherlands.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in the DR Congo, compared to 30.4 years in the Netherlands.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.1 in the DR Congo — it's 31.9 in the Netherlands.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 1.86 in the Netherlands.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.7% in the Netherlands.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Netherlands by year

DR Congo
Netherlands
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Netherlands
2023 6.05 1.43
2022 6.11 1.49
2021 6.16 1.62
2020 6.21 1.54
2019 6.25 1.57
2018 6.3 1.59
2017 6.35 1.62
2016 6.39 1.66
2015 6.44 1.66
2014 6.48 1.71
2013 6.53 1.68
2012 6.56 1.72
2011 6.58 1.76
2010 6.59 1.79
2009 6.59 1.79
2008 6.58 1.77
2007 6.56 1.72
2006 6.55 1.72
2005 6.53 1.71
2004 6.53 1.72
2003 6.55 1.75
2002 6.61 1.73
2001 6.66 1.71
2000 6.7 1.72
1999 6.69 1.65
1998 6.7 1.63
1997 6.69 1.56
1996 6.67 1.53
1995 6.68 1.53
1994 6.64 1.57
1993 6.64 1.57
1992 6.64 1.59
1991 6.65 1.61
1990 6.65 1.62
1989 6.65 1.55
1988 6.66 1.55
1987 6.65 1.56
1986 6.63 1.55
1985 6.61 1.51
1984 6.59 1.49
1983 6.56 1.47
1982 6.54 1.5
1981 6.52 1.56
1980 6.5 1.6
1979 6.48 1.56
1978 6.46 1.58
1977 6.45 1.58
1976 6.44 1.63
1975 6.42 1.66
1974 6.4 1.77
1973 6.39 1.9
1972 6.37 2.15
1971 6.34 2.36
1970 6.33 2.57
1969 6.3 2.75
1968 6.29 2.72
1967 6.27 2.81
1966 6.24 2.9
1965 6.21 3.04
1964 6.19 3.17
1963 6.16 3.19
1962 6.14 3.18
1961 6.12 3.22
1960 6.11 3.12

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/netherlands | 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 1.43 in the Netherlands in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Netherlands
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Netherlands
2023 3,467,787 -5,363
2022 3,347,664 -1,770
2021 3,227,992 7,014
2020 3,156,152 0
2019 3,075,538 17,345
2018 2,993,184 15,508
2017 2,883,245 18,844
2016 2,753,687 23,843
2015 2,665,016 23,716
2014 2,580,251 35,417
2013 2,489,378 30,248
2012 2,405,462 35,186
2011 2,310,679 45,072
2010 2,212,255 48,184
2009 2,126,912 51,244
2008 2,044,210 49,337
2007 1,963,738 49,145
2006 1,889,398 49,038
2005 1,800,300 50,592
2004 1,731,022 56,987
2003 1,679,188 58,411
2002 1,631,597 59,751
2001 1,594,999 62,580
2000 1,549,518 66,887
1999 1,450,318 60,086
1998 1,375,130 61,258
1997 1,392,037 56,198
1996 1,380,490 51,251
1995 1,395,440 54,106
1994 1,259,539 61,532
1993 1,209,242 58,103
1992 1,152,781 66,811
1991 1,114,033 69,321
1990 1,063,508 68,777
1989 1,027,238 59,396
1988 995,278 61,993
1987 959,875 64,526
1986 925,334 59,746
1985 885,670 55,069
1984 844,956 54,812
1983 807,122 51,722
1982 774,823 54,388
1981 748,371 62,688
1980 724,111 66,504
1979 691,773 63,172
1978 646,411 61,344
1977 638,242 63,739
1976 624,147 63,361
1975 608,655 64,232
1974 593,539 75,853
1973 578,280 84,668
1972 564,495 101,297
1971 549,343 116,112
1970 533,300 129,082
1969 514,800 139,082
1968 497,682 132,389
1967 479,552 138,580
1966 463,397 138,265
1965 429,002 146,308
1964 406,334 157,653
1963 398,972 154,361
1962 383,406 153,474
1961 368,207 159,450
1960 363,517 151,623

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/netherlands | 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 -0.03% in the Netherlands.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +0.08% in the Netherlands.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Netherlands by year

DR Congo
Netherlands

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Netherlands
2023 41.3 9.2
2022 41.6 9.5
2021 41.9 10.2
2020 42.2 9.7
2019 42.5 9.8
2018 42.9 9.8
2017 43 9.9
2016 42.9 10.1
2015 43.2 10.1
2014 43.5 10.4
2013 43.7 10.2
2012 44 10.5
2011 44 10.8
2010 43.9 11.1
2009 44 11.2
2008 44 11.2
2007 44 11.1
2006 44 11.3
2005 43.7 11.5
2004 43.8 11.9
2003 44.2 12.3
2002 44.6 12.5
2001 45 12.6
2000 45.3 13
1999 45.2 12.7
1998 44.9 12.7
1997 46 12.3
1996 47 12.2
1995 47.2 12.3
1994 45.3 12.7
1993 45.9 12.8
1992 45.7 13
1991 46 13.2
1990 45.9 13.2
1989 46.1 12.7
1988 46.4 12.6
1987 46.5 12.7
1986 46.6 12.7
1985 46.5 12.3
1984 46.2 12.1
1983 46.1 11.8
1982 46 12
1981 46.1 12.5
1980 46.1 12.8
1979 45.8 12.5
1978 45.4 12.6
1977 45.9 12.5
1976 46.2 12.9
1975 46.4 13
1974 46.6 13.7
1973 46.9 14.5
1972 47.1 16.1
1971 47.4 17.2
1970 47.6 18.3
1969 47.7 19.2
1968 47.8 18.6
1967 47.9 18.9
1966 47.9 19.2
1965 47.8 19.9
1964 47.7 20.7
1963 47.5 20.9
1962 47.4 20.9
1961 47.2 21.3
1960 47.1 20.8

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 9.2 in the Netherlands, compared with 47.1 and 20.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Netherlands
Fertility rate 6.05 1.43
Fertility rate rank 4/196 159/196
Birth rate 41.3 9.2
Birth rate rank 5/196 157/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 -5,363
Natural population change rank 4/196 168/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% -0.03%
Population growth +3.3% +0.65%
Population growth rank 11/197 121/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 30.4 years
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 31.9 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 1.61
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 48.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 18.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.3% 21.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.6% 75.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 100%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.004%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 0.26%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 0.35%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 0.4%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 82.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Netherlands
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Netherlands
2100 23.4% 13.2%
2099 23.6% 13.2%
2098 23.8% 13.2%
2097 24% 13.2%
2096 24.2% 13.2%
2095 24.4% 13.2%
2094 24.6% 13.2%
2093 24.8% 13.1%
2092 25% 13.1%
2091 25.2% 13.1%
2090 25.4% 13.1%
2089 25.6% 13.1%
2088 25.8% 13.1%
2087 26.1% 13.1%
2086 26.3% 13.1%
2085 26.5% 13.2%
2084 26.8% 13.2%
2083 27% 13.2%
2082 27.2% 13.2%
2081 27.5% 13.3%
2080 27.8% 13.3%
2079 28% 13.3%
2078 28.3% 13.4%
2077 28.6% 13.4%
2076 28.9% 13.4%
2075 29.2% 13.5%
2074 29.5% 13.5%
2073 29.8% 13.5%
2072 30.1% 13.5%
2071 30.4% 13.6%
2070 30.7% 13.6%
2069 31.1% 13.6%
2068 31.4% 13.6%
2067 31.7% 13.6%
2066 32.1% 13.6%
2065 32.4% 13.6%
2064 32.8% 13.6%
2063 33.1% 13.6%
2062 33.5% 13.6%
2061 33.8% 13.6%
2060 34.1% 13.5%
2059 34.5% 13.5%
2058 34.8% 13.5%
2057 35.1% 13.6%
2056 35.5% 13.6%
2055 35.8% 13.6%
2054 36.1% 13.6%
2053 36.5% 13.7%
2052 36.8% 13.7%
2051 37.1% 13.8%
2050 37.5% 13.9%
2049 37.8% 13.9%
2048 38.2% 14%
2047 38.6% 14.1%
2046 39% 14.2%
2045 39.4% 14.3%
2044 39.8% 14.3%
2043 40.2% 14.4%
2042 40.6% 14.5%
2041 41.1% 14.5%
2040 41.5% 14.6%
2039 42% 14.6%
2038 42.4% 14.6%
2037 42.8% 14.6%
2036 43.2% 14.7%
2035 43.6% 14.7%
2034 44% 14.7%
2033 44.3% 14.7%
2032 44.6% 14.7%
2031 44.9% 14.8%
2030 45.2% 14.8%
2029 45.4% 14.8%
2028 45.6% 14.8%
2027 45.8% 14.8%
2026 45.9% 14.9%
2025 46% 15%
2024 46% 15%
2023 46.1% 15.2%
2022 46.1% 15.4%
2021 46.1% 15.5%
2020 46.1% 15.6%
2019 46% 15.8%
2018 45.9% 16%
2017 45.8% 16.2%
2016 45.9% 16.4%
2015 46% 16.6%
2014 46% 16.9%
2013 46% 17.1%
2012 46% 17.3%
2011 46% 17.4%
2010 46.1% 17.6%
2009 46.1% 17.7%
2008 46% 17.9%
2007 46% 18.1%
2006 45.9% 18.3%
2005 45.9% 18.5%
2004 45.9% 18.6%
2003 45.8% 18.7%
2002 45.7% 18.8%
2001 45.7% 18.8%
2000 45.7% 18.8%
1999 45.6% 18.7%
1998 45.6% 18.6%
1997 45.4% 18.6%
1996 44.7% 18.6%
1995 44% 18.6%
1994 44.1% 18.6%
1993 44.5% 18.5%
1992 44.5% 18.5%
1991 44.4% 18.4%
1990 44.4% 18.4%
1989 44.3% 18.4%
1988 44.3% 18.5%
1987 44.2% 18.7%
1986 44.1% 19.1%
1985 44.1% 19.5%
1984 44.1% 20.1%
1983 44.2% 20.7%
1982 44.3% 21.3%
1981 44.3% 21.8%
1980 44.2% 22.3%
1979 44.3% 22.9%
1978 44.5% 23.5%
1977 44.6% 24.2%
1976 44.5% 24.8%
1975 44.3% 25.3%
1974 44.2% 25.9%
1973 44% 26.4%
1972 43.8% 26.8%
1971 43.6% 27.1%
1970 43.4% 27.3%
1969 43.3% 27.5%
1968 43.2% 27.6%
1967 43% 27.8%
1966 42.9% 28.1%
1965 42.8% 28.3%
1964 42.7% 28.5%
1963 42.7% 28.7%
1962 42.7% 29.1%
1961 42.8% 29.7%
1960 42.9% 30%

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/netherlands | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 15% in the Netherlands in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 18.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and the Netherlands compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Netherlands

DR Congo
Netherlands
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Netherlands
2023 427 4
2022 456 4
2021 507 5
2020 489 4
2019 493 5
2018 508 5
2017 519 5
2016 526 5
2015 545 5
2014 558 5
2013 567 6
2012 578 6
2011 589 7
2010 601 6
2009 608 7
2008 620 8
2007 631 8
2006 619 9
2005 613 10
2004 607 11
2003 605 12
2002 601 13
2001 588 13
2000 585 13
1999 601 13
1998 605 12
1997 617 13
1996 661 12
1995 644 12
1994 656 12
1993 683 12
1992 709 12
1991 735 12
1990 755 12
1989 791 12
1988 824 12
1987 863 12
1986 902 12
1985 934 12

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/netherlands | 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 4 deaths in the Netherlands.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Netherlands

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Netherlands
2023 7.32% 0.4%
2022 7.57% 0.4%
2021 7.81% 0.4%
2020 8.07% 0.4%
2019 8.35% 0.4%
2018 8.63% 0.4%
2017 8.93% 0.4%
2016 9.23% 0.41%
2015 9.56% 0.41%
2014 9.9% 0.41%
2013 10.3% 0.42%
2012 10.6% 0.42%
2011 11% 0.43%
2010 11.4% 0.44%
2009 11.8% 0.46%
2008 12.2% 0.47%
2007 12.7% 0.49%
2006 13.1% 0.51%
2005 13.6% 0.53%
2004 14.1% 0.55%
2003 14.6% 0.57%
2002 15% 0.59%
2001 15.5% 0.61%
2000 15.9% 0.62%
1999 16.3% 0.63%
1998 16.7% 0.64%
1997 17% 0.66%
1996 17.3% 0.67%
1995 17.5% 0.69%
1994 17.7% 0.71%
1993 17.9% 0.74%
1992 18.1% 0.77%
1991 18.3% 0.8%
1990 18.5% 0.83%
1989 18.8% 0.86%
1988 19% 0.89%
1987 19.2% 0.92%
1986 19.5% 0.95%
1985 19.7% 0.97%
1984 20% 0.99%
1983 20.3% 1.02%
1982 20.6% 1.04%
1981 20.9% 1.06%
1980 21.2% 1.09%
1979 21.5% 1.12%
1978 21.9% 1.16%
1977 22.3% 1.21%
1976 22.6% 1.26%
1975 23% 1.31%
1974 23.4% 1.36%
1973 23.7% 1.41%
1972 24% 1.47%
1971 24.3% 1.53%
1970 24.7% 1.58%
1969 25.1% 1.64%
1968 - 1.69%
1967 - 1.74%
1966 - 1.79%
1965 - 1.83%
1964 - 1.88%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 1.97%
1961 - 2.03%
1960 - 2.08%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 0.4% in the Netherlands. 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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