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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Papua New Guinea

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 24.6 for Papua New Guinea. 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 3.1 in Papua New Guinea — 48.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 48.5% in Papua New Guinea — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 6.02, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 55/196 for Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in the DR Congo, compared to 21.9 years in Papua New Guinea.
  • 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 Papua New Guinea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 54.1 in Papua New Guinea.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in Papua New Guinea.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Papua New Guinea by year

DR Congo
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2023 6.05 3.1
2022 6.11 3.17
2021 6.16 3.22
2020 6.21 3.27
2019 6.25 3.32
2018 6.3 3.38
2017 6.35 3.43
2016 6.39 3.5
2015 6.44 3.56
2014 6.48 3.63
2013 6.53 3.68
2012 6.56 3.75
2011 6.58 3.82
2010 6.59 3.88
2009 6.59 3.94
2008 6.58 4.01
2007 6.56 4.08
2006 6.55 4.15
2005 6.53 4.22
2004 6.53 4.28
2003 6.55 4.36
2002 6.61 4.42
2001 6.66 4.47
2000 6.7 4.53
1999 6.69 4.59
1998 6.7 4.63
1997 6.69 4.68
1996 6.67 4.73
1995 6.68 4.78
1994 6.64 4.87
1993 6.64 4.96
1992 6.64 5.03
1991 6.65 5.11
1990 6.65 5.18
1989 6.65 5.24
1988 6.66 5.3
1987 6.65 5.36
1986 6.63 5.42
1985 6.61 5.47
1984 6.59 5.51
1983 6.56 5.56
1982 6.54 5.59
1981 6.52 5.65
1980 6.5 5.71
1979 6.48 5.79
1978 6.46 5.88
1977 6.45 5.96
1976 6.44 6.02
1975 6.42 6.07
1974 6.4 6.11
1973 6.39 6.16
1972 6.37 6.2
1971 6.34 6.23
1970 6.33 6.25
1969 6.3 6.26
1968 6.29 6.25
1967 6.27 6.24
1966 6.24 6.23
1965 6.21 6.2
1964 6.19 6.19
1963 6.16 6.15
1962 6.14 6.14
1961 6.12 6.07
1960 6.11 6.02

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | 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 3.1 in Papua New Guinea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the DR Congo vs Papua New Guinea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2023 3,467,787 187,637
2022 3,347,664 186,861
2021 3,227,992 183,766
2020 3,156,152 189,130
2019 3,075,538 190,662
2018 2,993,184 190,662
2017 2,883,245 189,715
2016 2,753,687 189,281
2015 2,665,016 188,600
2014 2,580,251 187,592
2013 2,489,378 185,790
2012 2,405,462 183,658
2011 2,310,679 181,842
2010 2,212,255 178,998
2009 2,126,912 175,421
2008 2,044,210 172,823
2007 1,963,738 169,306
2006 1,889,398 166,540
2005 1,800,300 163,888
2004 1,731,022 161,023
2003 1,679,188 158,611
2002 1,631,597 155,091
2001 1,594,999 151,431
2000 1,549,518 147,496
1999 1,450,318 143,592
1998 1,375,130 136,677
1997 1,392,037 134,458
1996 1,380,490 129,802
1995 1,395,440 125,410
1994 1,259,539 122,113
1993 1,209,242 118,668
1992 1,152,781 114,818
1991 1,114,033 111,453
1990 1,063,508 110,033
1989 1,027,238 108,199
1988 995,278 106,256
1987 959,875 104,367
1986 925,334 102,346
1985 885,670 100,333
1984 844,956 98,103
1983 807,122 95,982
1982 774,823 93,522
1981 748,371 91,767
1980 724,111 90,266
1979 691,773 89,330
1978 646,411 88,747
1977 638,242 87,954
1976 624,147 86,965
1975 608,655 85,809
1974 593,539 84,829
1973 578,280 83,821
1972 564,495 82,672
1971 549,343 80,599
1970 533,300 78,712
1969 514,800 76,454
1968 497,682 73,983
1967 479,552 71,519
1966 463,397 69,206
1965 429,002 66,693
1964 406,334 64,558
1963 398,972 62,260
1962 383,406 59,974
1961 368,207 58,151
1960 363,517 56,326

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | 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 +1.81% in Papua New Guinea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +2% in Papua New Guinea.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Papua New Guinea by year

DR Congo
Papua New Guinea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2023 41.3 24.6
2022 41.6 25.2
2021 41.9 25.6
2020 42.2 26.1
2019 42.5 26.5
2018 42.9 27
2017 43 27.4
2016 42.9 27.9
2015 43.2 28.4
2014 43.5 28.9
2013 43.7 29.4
2012 44 29.8
2011 44 30.3
2010 43.9 30.7
2009 44 31.1
2008 44 31.5
2007 44 31.9
2006 44 32.4
2005 43.7 32.8
2004 43.8 33.2
2003 44.2 33.7
2002 44.6 34
2001 45 34.2
2000 45.3 34.4
1999 45.2 34.7
1998 44.9 34.8
1997 46 34.8
1996 47 34.9
1995 47.2 35
1994 45.3 35.3
1993 45.9 35.6
1992 45.7 35.8
1991 46 36.1
1990 45.9 36.7
1989 46.1 37.1
1988 46.4 37.3
1987 46.5 37.4
1986 46.6 37.5
1985 46.5 37.7
1984 46.2 37.7
1983 46.1 37.8
1982 46 37.7
1981 46.1 37.9
1980 46.1 38.1
1979 45.8 38.7
1978 45.4 39.3
1977 45.9 39.9
1976 46.2 40.5
1975 46.4 41.1
1974 46.6 41.8
1973 46.9 42.6
1972 47.1 43.3
1971 47.4 43.7
1970 47.6 44
1969 47.7 44.2
1968 47.8 44.4
1967 47.9 44.5
1966 47.9 44.6
1965 47.8 44.6
1964 47.7 44.7
1963 47.5 44.7
1962 47.4 44.9
1961 47.2 44.9
1960 47.1 45.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 24.6 in Papua New Guinea, compared with 47.1 and 45.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Papua New Guinea
Fertility rate 6.05 3.1
Fertility rate rank 4/196 55/196
Birth rate 41.3 24.6
Birth rate rank 5/196 55/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 +187,637
Natural population change rank 4/196 63/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% +1.81%
Population growth +3.3% +1.8%
Population growth rank 11/197 59/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 21.9 years
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 29.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 52.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 144.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 46.2
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% 30.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 56.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.19%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 2.05%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 3.2%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 4.03%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Papua New Guinea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2100 23.4% 19%
2099 23.6% 19.1%
2098 23.8% 19.2%
2097 24% 19.3%
2096 24.2% 19.4%
2095 24.4% 19.5%
2094 24.6% 19.6%
2093 24.8% 19.7%
2092 25% 19.8%
2091 25.2% 19.9%
2090 25.4% 20%
2089 25.6% 20.1%
2088 25.8% 20.2%
2087 26.1% 20.4%
2086 26.3% 20.5%
2085 26.5% 20.6%
2084 26.8% 20.7%
2083 27% 20.8%
2082 27.2% 20.9%
2081 27.5% 21%
2080 27.8% 21.2%
2079 28% 21.3%
2078 28.3% 21.4%
2077 28.6% 21.5%
2076 28.9% 21.7%
2075 29.2% 21.8%
2074 29.5% 21.9%
2073 29.8% 22.1%
2072 30.1% 22.2%
2071 30.4% 22.4%
2070 30.7% 22.5%
2069 31.1% 22.7%
2068 31.4% 22.8%
2067 31.7% 23%
2066 32.1% 23.2%
2065 32.4% 23.3%
2064 32.8% 23.5%
2063 33.1% 23.7%
2062 33.5% 23.9%
2061 33.8% 24.1%
2060 34.1% 24.3%
2059 34.5% 24.5%
2058 34.8% 24.6%
2057 35.1% 24.8%
2056 35.5% 25%
2055 35.8% 25.2%
2054 36.1% 25.4%
2053 36.5% 25.6%
2052 36.8% 25.8%
2051 37.1% 26%
2050 37.5% 26.2%
2049 37.8% 26.4%
2048 38.2% 26.6%
2047 38.6% 26.8%
2046 39% 27%
2045 39.4% 27.2%
2044 39.8% 27.4%
2043 40.2% 27.6%
2042 40.6% 27.9%
2041 41.1% 28.1%
2040 41.5% 28.4%
2039 42% 28.7%
2038 42.4% 28.9%
2037 42.8% 29.2%
2036 43.2% 29.6%
2035 43.6% 29.9%
2034 44% 30.2%
2033 44.3% 30.6%
2032 44.6% 30.9%
2031 44.9% 31.2%
2030 45.2% 31.6%
2029 45.4% 31.9%
2028 45.6% 32.3%
2027 45.8% 32.6%
2026 45.9% 33%
2025 46% 33.3%
2024 46% 33.5%
2023 46.1% 33.8%
2022 46.1% 34.1%
2021 46.1% 34.4%
2020 46.1% 34.7%
2019 46% 35%
2018 45.9% 35.3%
2017 45.8% 35.6%
2016 45.9% 35.9%
2015 46% 36.2%
2014 46% 36.5%
2013 46% 36.7%
2012 46% 37%
2011 46% 37.2%
2010 46.1% 37.5%
2009 46.1% 37.7%
2008 46% 38%
2007 46% 38.3%
2006 45.9% 38.5%
2005 45.9% 38.8%
2004 45.9% 39%
2003 45.8% 39.3%
2002 45.7% 39.5%
2001 45.7% 39.8%
2000 45.7% 40%
1999 45.6% 40.2%
1998 45.6% 40.4%
1997 45.4% 40.6%
1996 44.7% 40.8%
1995 44% 41%
1994 44.1% 41.2%
1993 44.5% 41.5%
1992 44.5% 41.7%
1991 44.4% 41.9%
1990 44.4% 42.1%
1989 44.3% 42.3%
1988 44.3% 42.4%
1987 44.2% 42.4%
1986 44.1% 42.5%
1985 44.1% 42.6%
1984 44.1% 42.8%
1983 44.2% 42.9%
1982 44.3% 43%
1981 44.3% 43.2%
1980 44.2% 43.5%
1979 44.3% 44%
1978 44.5% 44.4%
1977 44.6% 44.9%
1976 44.5% 45.2%
1975 44.3% 45.5%
1974 44.2% 45.8%
1973 44% 45.9%
1972 43.8% 46%
1971 43.6% 46%
1970 43.4% 45.8%
1969 43.3% 45.6%
1968 43.2% 45.3%
1967 43% 45.1%
1966 42.9% 44.9%
1965 42.8% 44.6%
1964 42.7% 44.4%
1963 42.7% 44.2%
1962 42.7% 43.9%
1961 42.8% 43.7%
1960 42.9% 43.4%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 33.5% in Papua New Guinea in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 42.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and Papua New Guinea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Papua New Guinea

DR Congo
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2023 427 189
2022 456 189
2021 507 223
2020 489 194
2019 493 199
2018 508 205
2017 519 207
2016 526 214
2015 545 221
2014 558 232
2013 567 243
2012 578 257
2011 589 271
2010 601 289
2009 608 302
2008 620 315
2007 631 326
2006 619 325
2005 613 326
2004 607 326
2003 605 328
2002 601 329
2001 588 325
2000 585 323
1999 601 321
1998 605 325
1997 617 316
1996 661 316
1995 644 318
1994 656 324
1993 683 333
1992 709 340
1991 735 354
1990 755 360
1989 791 369
1988 824 377
1987 863 379
1986 902 386
1985 934 393

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | 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 189 deaths in Papua New Guinea.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Papua New Guinea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Papua New Guinea
2023 7.32% 4.03%
2022 7.57% 4.17%
2021 7.81% 4.31%
2020 8.07% 4.45%
2019 8.35% 4.59%
2018 8.63% 4.72%
2017 8.93% 4.87%
2016 9.23% 5.02%
2015 9.56% 5.17%
2014 9.9% 5.3%
2013 10.3% 5.44%
2012 10.6% 5.59%
2011 11% 5.73%
2010 11.4% 5.88%
2009 11.8% 6.02%
2008 12.2% 6.16%
2007 12.7% 6.31%
2006 13.1% 6.44%
2005 13.6% 6.58%
2004 14.1% 6.71%
2003 14.6% 6.84%
2002 15% 6.96%
2001 15.5% 7.08%
2000 15.9% 7.19%
1999 16.3% 7.3%
1998 16.7% 7.41%
1997 17% 7.52%
1996 17.3% 7.64%
1995 17.5% 7.77%
1994 17.7% 7.89%
1993 17.9% 8.03%
1992 18.1% 8.17%
1991 18.3% 8.31%
1990 18.5% 8.47%
1989 18.8% 8.63%
1988 19% 8.78%
1987 19.2% 8.96%
1986 19.5% 9.12%
1985 19.7% 9.3%
1984 20% 9.5%
1983 20.3% 9.71%
1982 20.6% 9.94%
1981 20.9% 10.2%
1980 21.2% 10.4%
1979 21.5% 10.7%
1978 21.9% 11%
1977 22.3% 11.3%
1976 22.6% 11.7%
1975 23% 12.1%
1974 23.4% 12.4%
1973 23.7% 12.9%
1972 24% 13.3%
1971 24.3% 13.7%
1970 24.7% 14.2%
1969 25.1% 14.7%
1968 - 15.2%
1967 - 15.8%
1966 - 16.3%
1965 - 16.9%
1964 - 17.4%
1963 - 18%
1962 - 18.6%
1961 - 19.2%
1960 - 19.8%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 4.03% in Papua New Guinea. 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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