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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Palau

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 10.9 for Palau. 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 1.91 in Palau — 68.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 73.5% in Palau — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 7.19, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 133/196 for Palau.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.1 in the DR Congo — it's 28.5 in Palau.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 29.9 in Palau.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.4% in Palau.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Palau by year

DR Congo
Palau
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Palau
2023 6.05 1.91
2022 6.11 1.93
2021 6.16 1.95
2020 6.21 1.97
2019 6.25 1.98
2018 6.3 1.97
2017 6.35 2.02
2016 6.39 2.06
2015 6.44 2
2014 6.48 2.03
2013 6.53 2.05
2012 6.56 2.01
2011 6.58 1.97
2010 6.59 1.94
2009 6.59 1.94
2008 6.58 1.95
2007 6.56 1.97
2006 6.55 2
2005 6.53 2.02
2004 6.53 1.99
2003 6.55 1.96
2002 6.61 1.92
2001 6.66 1.87
2000 6.7 1.82
1999 6.69 1.91
1998 6.7 2.01
1997 6.69 2.19
1996 6.67 2.39
1995 6.68 2.55
1994 6.64 2.66
1993 6.64 2.73
1992 6.64 2.71
1991 6.65 2.74
1990 6.65 2.88
1989 6.65 2.92
1988 6.66 2.91
1987 6.65 2.93
1986 6.63 2.98
1985 6.61 3.01
1984 6.59 3.08
1983 6.56 3.14
1982 6.54 3.22
1981 6.52 3.28
1980 6.5 3.35
1979 6.48 3.49
1978 6.46 3.74
1977 6.45 4.09
1976 6.44 4.53
1975 6.42 4.9
1974 6.4 5.26
1973 6.39 5.59
1972 6.37 5.9
1971 6.34 6.16
1970 6.33 6.39
1969 6.3 6.58
1968 6.29 6.71
1967 6.27 6.84
1966 6.24 6.93
1965 6.21 7.01
1964 6.19 7.08
1963 6.16 7.12
1962 6.14 7.15
1961 6.12 7.17
1960 6.11 7.19

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/palau | 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 1.91 in Palau in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Palau
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Palau
2023 3,467,787 -10
2022 3,347,664 -7
2021 3,227,992 -3
2020 3,156,152 8
2019 3,075,538 23
2018 2,993,184 29
2017 2,883,245 43
2016 2,753,687 53
2015 2,665,016 55
2014 2,580,251 73
2013 2,489,378 88
2012 2,405,462 86
2011 2,310,679 83
2010 2,212,255 81
2009 2,126,912 81
2008 2,044,210 79
2007 1,963,738 80
2006 1,889,398 79
2005 1,800,300 80
2004 1,731,022 83
2003 1,679,188 86
2002 1,631,597 88
2001 1,594,999 88
2000 1,549,518 85
1999 1,450,318 100
1998 1,375,130 116
1997 1,392,037 140
1996 1,380,490 166
1995 1,395,440 186
1994 1,259,539 195
1993 1,209,242 196
1992 1,152,781 183
1991 1,114,033 175
1990 1,063,508 181
1989 1,027,238 185
1988 995,278 183
1987 959,875 182
1986 925,334 182
1985 885,670 181
1984 844,956 181
1983 807,122 176
1982 774,823 170
1981 748,371 161
1980 724,111 165
1979 691,773 176
1978 646,411 193
1977 638,242 213
1976 624,147 236
1975 608,655 249
1974 593,539 256
1973 578,280 268
1972 564,495 280
1971 549,343 287
1970 533,300 286
1969 514,800 283
1968 497,682 275
1967 479,552 266
1966 463,397 268
1965 429,002 275
1964 406,334 284
1963 398,972 291
1962 383,406 296
1961 368,207 298
1960 363,517 296

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/palau | 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 -0.06% in Palau.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +0.15% in Palau.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Palau by year

DR Congo
Palau

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Palau
2023 41.3 10.9
2022 41.6 11.1
2021 41.9 11.4
2020 42.2 11.6
2019 42.5 11.9
2018 42.9 12
2017 43 12.4
2016 42.9 12.7
2015 43.2 12.6
2014 43.5 13.4
2013 43.7 14
2012 44 14
2011 44 13.8
2010 43.9 13.7
2009 44 13.6
2008 44 13.7
2007 44 13.7
2006 44 13.8
2005 43.7 13.9
2004 43.8 14
2003 44.2 14.3
2002 44.6 14.5
2001 45 14.5
2000 45.3 14.4
1999 45.2 15.1
1998 44.9 16
1997 46 17.5
1996 47 19.3
1995 47.2 20.7
1994 45.3 21.7
1993 45.9 22.1
1992 45.7 21.6
1991 46 21.3
1990 45.9 22
1989 46.1 22.2
1988 46.4 22
1987 46.5 22
1986 46.6 22.1
1985 46.5 22.3
1984 46.2 22.7
1983 46.1 22.8
1982 46 22.7
1981 46.1 22.3
1980 46.1 22.8
1979 45.8 23.8
1978 45.4 25.1
1977 45.9 26.9
1976 46.2 28.8
1975 46.4 30
1974 46.6 30.8
1973 46.9 32.1
1972 47.1 34
1971 47.4 35.7
1970 47.6 37
1969 47.7 37.5
1968 47.8 37
1967 47.9 36.5
1966 47.9 37.3
1965 47.8 38.8
1964 47.7 40.5
1963 47.5 42.3
1962 47.4 43.9
1961 47.2 45.3
1960 47.1 46.3

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 10.9 in Palau, compared with 47.1 and 46.3, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Palau
Fertility rate 6.05 1.91
Fertility rate rank 4/196 105/196
Birth rate 41.3 10.9
Birth rate rank 5/196 133/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 -10
Natural population change rank 4/196 158/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% -0.06%
Population growth +3.3% -0.18%
Population growth rank 11/197 175/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 30
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 98.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 14.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.3% 21.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.6% n/a
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 97.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.09%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 1.17%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 1.91%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 2.23%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 69.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Palau
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Palau
2100 23.4% 14.9%
2099 23.6% 14.9%
2098 23.8% 14.9%
2097 24% 14.9%
2096 24.2% 15%
2095 24.4% 15%
2094 24.6% 15%
2093 24.8% 15.1%
2092 25% 15.1%
2091 25.2% 15.2%
2090 25.4% 15.2%
2089 25.6% 15.3%
2088 25.8% 15.3%
2087 26.1% 15.4%
2086 26.3% 15.4%
2085 26.5% 15.5%
2084 26.8% 15.5%
2083 27% 15.6%
2082 27.2% 15.6%
2081 27.5% 15.7%
2080 27.8% 15.7%
2079 28% 15.7%
2078 28.3% 15.7%
2077 28.6% 15.7%
2076 28.9% 15.7%
2075 29.2% 15.7%
2074 29.5% 15.6%
2073 29.8% 15.6%
2072 30.1% 15.6%
2071 30.4% 15.6%
2070 30.7% 15.6%
2069 31.1% 15.5%
2068 31.4% 15.5%
2067 31.7% 15.5%
2066 32.1% 15.5%
2065 32.4% 15.5%
2064 32.8% 15.6%
2063 33.1% 15.6%
2062 33.5% 15.6%
2061 33.8% 15.7%
2060 34.1% 15.7%
2059 34.5% 15.8%
2058 34.8% 15.9%
2057 35.1% 16%
2056 35.5% 16%
2055 35.8% 16.1%
2054 36.1% 16.2%
2053 36.5% 16.3%
2052 36.8% 16.3%
2051 37.1% 16.3%
2050 37.5% 16.4%
2049 37.8% 16.4%
2048 38.2% 16.4%
2047 38.6% 16.3%
2046 39% 16.3%
2045 39.4% 16.3%
2044 39.8% 16.2%
2043 40.2% 16.2%
2042 40.6% 16.1%
2041 41.1% 16%
2040 41.5% 16%
2039 42% 15.9%
2038 42.4% 15.9%
2037 42.8% 15.9%
2036 43.2% 15.9%
2035 43.6% 16%
2034 44% 16%
2033 44.3% 16.1%
2032 44.6% 16.2%
2031 44.9% 16.4%
2030 45.2% 16.6%
2029 45.4% 16.8%
2028 45.6% 17.1%
2027 45.8% 17.4%
2026 45.9% 17.8%
2025 46% 18.1%
2024 46% 18.2%
2023 46.1% 18.5%
2022 46.1% 18.8%
2021 46.1% 19.1%
2020 46.1% 19.2%
2019 46% 19.5%
2018 45.9% 19.7%
2017 45.8% 19.9%
2016 45.9% 20.1%
2015 46% 20.3%
2014 46% 20.3%
2013 46% 20.2%
2012 46% 20.3%
2011 46% 20.6%
2010 46.1% 21%
2009 46.1% 21.4%
2008 46% 21.9%
2007 46% 22.5%
2006 45.9% 23.2%
2005 45.9% 23.9%
2004 45.9% 24.2%
2003 45.8% 24.2%
2002 45.7% 24.1%
2001 45.7% 24%
2000 45.7% 24.1%
1999 45.6% 24.8%
1998 45.6% 25.8%
1997 45.4% 26.7%
1996 44.7% 27.5%
1995 44% 28%
1994 44.1% 28.2%
1993 44.5% 28.5%
1992 44.5% 28.8%
1991 44.4% 29.4%
1990 44.4% 30.2%
1989 44.3% 31%
1988 44.3% 32%
1987 44.2% 33.2%
1986 44.1% 34.5%
1985 44.1% 35.4%
1984 44.1% 36%
1983 44.2% 36.7%
1982 44.3% 37.7%
1981 44.3% 38.9%
1980 44.2% 40.1%
1979 44.3% 41.1%
1978 44.5% 41.9%
1977 44.6% 42.7%
1976 44.5% 43.4%
1975 44.3% 44.2%
1974 44.2% 44.9%
1973 44% 45.6%
1972 43.8% 46%
1971 43.6% 46.2%
1970 43.4% 46.5%
1969 43.3% 47.2%
1968 43.2% 48.4%
1967 43% 49.6%
1966 42.9% 50.2%
1965 42.8% 50.3%
1964 42.7% 50.1%
1963 42.7% 49.8%
1962 42.7% 49.1%
1961 42.8% 48.2%
1960 42.9% 47%

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/palau | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 18.2% in Palau in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 30.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and Palau compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Palau

DR Congo
Palau
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Palau
2023 427 89
2022 456 121
2021 507 109
2020 489 117
2019 493 84
2018 508 82
2017 519 80
2016 526 80
2015 545 79
2014 558 78
2013 567 85
2012 578 84
2011 589 83
2010 601 96
2009 608 94
2008 620 99
2007 631 98
2006 619 105
2005 613 105
2004 607 106
2003 605 108
2002 601 117
2001 588 118
2000 585 119
1999 601 115
1998 605 119
1997 617 125
1996 661 123
1995 644 111
1994 656 116
1993 683 109
1992 709 113
1991 735 106
1990 755 100
1989 791 93
1988 824 96
1987 863 88
1986 902 92
1985 934 95

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/palau | 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 89 deaths in Palau.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Palau

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Palau
2023 7.32% 2.23%
2022 7.57% 2.27%
2021 7.81% 2.3%
2020 8.07% 2.33%
2019 8.35% 2.34%
2018 8.63% 2.32%
2017 8.93% 2.28%
2016 9.23% 2.21%
2015 9.56% 2.14%
2014 9.9% 2.08%
2013 10.3% 2.03%
2012 10.6% 1.99%
2011 11% 1.97%
2010 11.4% 1.97%
2009 11.8% 1.98%
2008 12.2% 2.02%
2007 12.7% 2.07%
2006 13.1% 2.14%
2005 13.6% 2.21%
2004 14.1% 2.29%
2003 14.6% 2.38%
2002 15% 2.46%
2001 15.5% 2.55%
2000 15.9% 2.65%
1999 16.3% 2.74%
1998 16.7% 2.84%
1997 17% 2.94%
1996 17.3% 3.04%
1995 17.5% 3.14%
1994 17.7% 3.23%
1993 17.9% 3.32%
1992 18.1% 3.4%
1991 18.3% 3.47%
1990 18.5% 3.53%
1989 18.8% 3.6%
1988 19% 3.66%
1987 19.2% 3.73%
1986 19.5% 3.81%
1985 19.7% 3.9%
1984 20% 4.01%
1983 20.3% 4.13%
1982 20.6% 4.27%
1981 20.9% 4.44%
1980 21.2% 4.63%
1979 21.5% 4.84%
1978 21.9% 5.09%
1977 22.3% 5.37%
1976 22.6% 5.7%
1975 23% 6.06%
1974 23.4% 6.46%
1973 23.7% 6.85%
1972 24% 7.24%
1971 24.3% 7.62%
1970 24.7% 8%
1969 25.1% 8.34%
1968 - 8.65%
1967 - 8.97%
1966 - 9.27%
1965 - 9.58%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1965–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 2.23% in Palau. 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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