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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Romania

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 8 for Romania. 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 1.71 in Romania — 71.7% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 26.9% in Romania — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 2.34, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 177/196 for Romania.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in the DR Congo, compared to 27.1 years in Romania.
  • 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 Romania.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 33.8 in Romania.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.4% in Romania.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Romania by year

DR Congo
Romania
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Romania
2023 6.05 1.71
2022 6.11 1.71
2021 6.16 1.81
2020 6.21 1.8
2019 6.25 1.77
2018 6.3 1.76
2017 6.35 1.78
2016 6.39 1.69
2015 6.44 1.62
2014 6.48 1.56
2013 6.53 1.46
2012 6.56 1.52
2011 6.58 1.47
2010 6.59 1.59
2009 6.59 1.66
2008 6.58 1.6
2007 6.56 1.45
2006 6.55 1.42
2005 6.53 1.4
2004 6.53 1.33
2003 6.55 1.3
2002 6.61 1.27
2001 6.66 1.27
2000 6.7 1.31
1999 6.69 1.3
1998 6.7 1.32
1997 6.69 1.32
1996 6.67 1.3
1995 6.68 1.33
1994 6.64 1.4
1993 6.64 1.43
1992 6.64 1.51
1991 6.65 1.59
1990 6.65 1.83
1989 6.65 2.22
1988 6.66 2.3
1987 6.65 2.38
1986 6.63 2.39
1985 6.61 2.31
1984 6.59 2.26
1983 6.56 2.06
1982 6.54 2.17
1981 6.52 2.36
1980 6.5 2.43
1979 6.48 2.49
1978 6.46 2.52
1977 6.45 2.57
1976 6.44 2.54
1975 6.42 2.59
1974 6.4 2.71
1973 6.39 2.44
1972 6.37 2.55
1971 6.34 2.67
1970 6.33 2.89
1969 6.3 3.19
1968 6.29 3.63
1967 6.27 3.66
1966 6.24 1.9
1965 6.21 1.91
1964 6.19 1.96
1963 6.16 2.01
1962 6.14 2.04
1961 6.12 2.17
1960 6.11 2.34

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/romania | 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 1.71 in Romania in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Romania
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Romania
2023 3,467,787 -89,587
2022 3,347,664 -93,338
2021 3,227,992 -141,504
2020 3,156,152 -100,179
2019 3,075,538 -60,053
2018 2,993,184 -62,316
2017 2,883,245 -50,930
2016 2,753,687 -53,196
2015 2,665,016 -59,447
2014 2,580,251 -55,745
2013 2,489,378 -59,951
2012 2,405,462 -54,157
2011 2,310,679 -56,413
2010 2,212,255 -46,567
2009 2,126,912 -34,625
2008 2,044,210 -30,806
2007 1,963,738 -37,590
2006 1,889,398 -38,148
2005 1,800,300 -40,508
2004 1,731,022 -42,904
2003 1,679,188 -56,093
2002 1,631,597 -58,673
2001 1,594,999 -37,625
2000 1,549,518 -22,443
1999 1,450,318 -31,461
1998 1,375,130 -33,761
1997 1,392,037 -42,853
1996 1,380,490 -56,548
1995 1,395,440 -36,295
1994 1,259,539 -18,184
1993 1,209,242 -13,658
1992 1,152,781 -4,559
1991 1,114,033 25,301
1990 1,063,508 69,605
1989 1,027,238 122,756
1988 995,278 126,817
1987 959,875 128,517
1986 925,334 134,737
1985 885,670 111,392
1984 844,956 117,731
1983 807,122 87,986
1982 774,823 119,121
1981 748,371 156,472
1980 724,111 168,776
1979 691,773 194,397
1978 646,411 204,148
1977 638,242 215,385
1976 624,147 213,361
1975 608,655 219,324
1974 593,539 235,530
1973 578,280 175,020
1972 564,495 198,316
1971 549,343 206,662
1970 533,300 234,905
1969 514,800 264,120
1968 497,682 338,577
1967 479,552 347,709
1966 463,397 115,293
1965 429,002 114,190
1964 406,334 134,326
1963 398,972 139,104
1962 383,406 130,736
1961 368,207 163,286
1960 363,517 191,431

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/romania | 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 -0.47% in Romania.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and -0.4% in Romania.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Romania by year

DR Congo
Romania

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Romania
2023 41.3 8
2022 41.6 9.4
2021 41.9 10.1
2020 42.2 10.3
2019 42.5 10.3
2018 42.9 10.4
2017 43 10.8
2016 42.9 10.4
2015 43.2 10.2
2014 43.5 10
2013 43.7 9.4
2012 44 10
2011 44 9.7
2010 43.9 10.5
2009 44 10.9
2008 44 10.8
2007 44 10.3
2006 44 10.4
2005 43.7 10.4
2004 43.8 10.1
2003 44.2 9.8
2002 44.6 9.7
2001 45 10
2000 45.3 10.4
1999 45.2 10.4
1998 44.9 10.5
1997 46 10.5
1996 47 10.2
1995 47.2 10.4
1994 45.3 10.9
1993 45.9 11
1992 45.7 11.4
1991 46 12
1990 45.9 13.6
1989 46.1 16
1988 46.4 16.5
1987 46.5 16.7
1986 46.6 16.5
1985 46.5 15.8
1984 46.2 15.5
1983 46.1 14.3
1982 46 15.3
1981 46.1 17
1980 46.1 18
1979 45.8 18.6
1978 45.4 19
1977 45.9 19.5
1976 46.2 19.4
1975 46.4 19.6
1974 46.6 20.3
1973 46.9 18.2
1972 47.1 18.8
1971 47.4 19.6
1970 47.6 21.1
1969 47.7 23.3
1968 47.8 26.6
1967 47.9 27
1966 47.9 14.2
1965 47.8 14.6
1964 47.7 15.2
1963 47.5 15.7
1962 47.4 16.2
1961 47.2 17.5
1960 47.1 19.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 8 in Romania, compared with 47.1 and 19.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Romania
Fertility rate 6.05 1.71
Fertility rate rank 4/196 119/196
Birth rate 41.3 8
Birth rate rank 5/196 177/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 -89,587
Natural population change rank 4/196 188/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% -0.47%
Population growth +3.3% -0.05%
Population growth rank 11/197 169/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 27.1 years
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 30.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 85.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 11
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% 50.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 93%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.01%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 0.33%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 0.54%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 0.66%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 76.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Romania
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Romania
2100 23.4% 12.8%
2099 23.6% 12.8%
2098 23.8% 12.8%
2097 24% 12.9%
2096 24.2% 12.9%
2095 24.4% 13%
2094 24.6% 13.1%
2093 24.8% 13.1%
2092 25% 13.2%
2091 25.2% 13.2%
2090 25.4% 13.3%
2089 25.6% 13.4%
2088 25.8% 13.4%
2087 26.1% 13.5%
2086 26.3% 13.5%
2085 26.5% 13.5%
2084 26.8% 13.6%
2083 27% 13.6%
2082 27.2% 13.6%
2081 27.5% 13.6%
2080 27.8% 13.6%
2079 28% 13.6%
2078 28.3% 13.6%
2077 28.6% 13.6%
2076 28.9% 13.6%
2075 29.2% 13.6%
2074 29.5% 13.6%
2073 29.8% 13.6%
2072 30.1% 13.6%
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% 13.7%
2065 32.4% 13.7%
2064 32.8% 13.8%
2063 33.1% 13.8%
2062 33.5% 13.9%
2061 33.8% 13.9%
2060 34.1% 14%
2059 34.5% 14.1%
2058 34.8% 14.1%
2057 35.1% 14.2%
2056 35.5% 14.3%
2055 35.8% 14.3%
2054 36.1% 14.4%
2053 36.5% 14.4%
2052 36.8% 14.4%
2051 37.1% 14.4%
2050 37.5% 14.4%
2049 37.8% 14.4%
2048 38.2% 14.4%
2047 38.6% 14.4%
2046 39% 14.4%
2045 39.4% 14.3%
2044 39.8% 14.3%
2043 40.2% 14.3%
2042 40.6% 14.3%
2041 41.1% 14.2%
2040 41.5% 14.2%
2039 42% 14.2%
2038 42.4% 14.3%
2037 42.8% 14.3%
2036 43.2% 14.3%
2035 43.6% 14.4%
2034 44% 14.5%
2033 44.3% 14.6%
2032 44.6% 14.8%
2031 44.9% 15%
2030 45.2% 15.1%
2029 45.4% 15.2%
2028 45.6% 15.3%
2027 45.8% 15.4%
2026 45.9% 15.5%
2025 46% 15.6%
2024 46% 15.7%
2023 46.1% 15.9%
2022 46.1% 16%
2021 46.1% 16.1%
2020 46.1% 16.1%
2019 46% 16%
2018 45.9% 15.9%
2017 45.8% 15.8%
2016 45.9% 15.7%
2015 46% 15.7%
2014 46% 15.7%
2013 46% 15.7%
2012 46% 15.7%
2011 46% 15.8%
2010 46.1% 15.7%
2009 46.1% 15.7%
2008 46% 15.7%
2007 46% 15.7%
2006 45.9% 15.8%
2005 45.9% 16%
2004 45.9% 16.4%
2003 45.8% 16.9%
2002 45.7% 17.5%
2001 45.7% 18.1%
2000 45.7% 18.6%
1999 45.6% 19.1%
1998 45.6% 19.3%
1997 45.4% 19.6%
1996 44.7% 20%
1995 44% 20.5%
1994 44.1% 21%
1993 44.5% 21.6%
1992 44.5% 22.2%
1991 44.4% 22.8%
1990 44.4% 23.3%
1989 44.3% 23.7%
1988 44.3% 23.9%
1987 44.2% 24%
1986 44.1% 24.3%
1985 44.1% 24.6%
1984 44.1% 25.1%
1983 44.2% 25.9%
1982 44.3% 26.8%
1981 44.3% 27.1%
1980 44.2% 26.8%
1979 44.3% 26.5%
1978 44.5% 26.3%
1977 44.6% 26%
1976 44.5% 25.7%
1975 44.3% 25.3%
1974 44.2% 25.1%
1973 44% 24.9%
1972 43.8% 24.9%
1971 43.6% 24.9%
1970 43.4% 25.1%
1969 43.3% 25.1%
1968 43.2% 25.1%
1967 43% 25%
1966 42.9% 25.2%
1965 42.8% 26%
1964 42.7% 26.7%
1963 42.7% 27.3%
1962 42.7% 27.7%
1961 42.8% 28%
1960 42.9% 28.1%

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/romania | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 15.7% in Romania in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 23.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and Romania compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Romania

DR Congo
Romania
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Romania
2023 427 12
2022 456 13
2021 507 20
2020 489 16
2019 493 14
2018 508 15
2017 519 17
2016 526 17
2015 545 18
2014 558 18
2013 567 18
2012 578 19
2011 589 20
2010 601 23
2009 608 25
2008 620 25
2007 631 25
2006 619 27
2005 613 30
2004 607 32
2003 605 35
2002 601 38
2001 588 41
2000 585 45
1999 601 51
1998 605 58
1997 617 66
1996 661 72
1995 644 75
1994 656 80
1993 683 87
1992 709 95
1991 735 104
1990 755 118
1989 791 143
1988 824 159
1987 863 173
1986 902 180
1985 934 184

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/romania | 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 12 deaths in Romania.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Romania

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Romania
2023 7.32% 0.66%
2022 7.57% 0.66%
2021 7.81% 0.65%
2020 8.07% 0.66%
2019 8.35% 0.68%
2018 8.63% 0.73%
2017 8.93% 0.79%
2016 9.23% 0.85%
2015 9.56% 0.92%
2014 9.9% 0.99%
2013 10.3% 1.05%
2012 10.6% 1.12%
2011 11% 1.18%
2010 11.4% 1.24%
2009 11.8% 1.31%
2008 12.2% 1.4%
2007 12.7% 1.51%
2006 13.1% 1.66%
2005 13.6% 1.82%
2004 14.1% 1.94%
2003 14.6% 1.99%
2002 15% 2.01%
2001 15.5% 2.06%
2000 15.9% 2.16%
1999 16.3% 2.29%
1998 16.7% 2.44%
1997 17% 2.58%
1996 17.3% 2.68%
1995 17.5% 2.73%
1994 17.7% 2.76%
1993 17.9% 2.79%
1992 18.1% 2.84%
1991 18.3% 2.97%
1990 18.5% 3.14%
1989 18.8% 3.31%
1988 19% 3.43%
1987 19.2% 3.45%
1986 19.5% 3.33%
1985 19.7% 3.16%
1984 20% 3.08%
1983 20.3% 3.14%
1982 20.6% 3.28%
1981 20.9% 3.44%
1980 21.2% 3.57%
1979 21.5% 3.68%
1978 21.9% 3.76%
1977 22.3% 3.86%
1976 22.6% 4.05%
1975 23% 4.27%
1974 23.4% 4.43%
1973 23.7% 4.49%
1972 24% 4.64%
1971 24.3% 5.06%
1970 24.7% 5.69%
1969 25.1% 6.23%
1968 - 6.44%
1967 - 6.27%
1966 - 5.83%
1965 - 5.44%
1964 - 5.45%
1963 - 6.03%
1962 - 6.98%
1961 - 7.98%
1960 - 8.82%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 0.66% in Romania. 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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