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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.2 for Sao Tome and Principe. 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 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 39.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 6.24, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.9 years in the DR Congo, compared to 19.4 years in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.1 in the DR Congo — it's 28.4 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

DR Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Sao Tome
2023 6.05 3.64
2022 6.11 3.7
2021 6.16 3.76
2020 6.21 3.83
2019 6.25 3.9
2018 6.3 3.98
2017 6.35 4.07
2016 6.39 4.2
2015 6.44 4.35
2014 6.48 4.49
2013 6.53 4.58
2012 6.56 4.66
2011 6.58 4.72
2010 6.59 4.77
2009 6.59 4.84
2008 6.58 4.91
2007 6.56 4.96
2006 6.55 4.93
2005 6.53 4.94
2004 6.53 4.96
2003 6.55 5.01
2002 6.61 5.06
2001 6.66 5.1
2000 6.7 5.16
1999 6.69 5.23
1998 6.7 5.3
1997 6.69 5.4
1996 6.67 5.47
1995 6.68 5.55
1994 6.64 5.56
1993 6.64 5.64
1992 6.64 5.7
1991 6.65 5.77
1990 6.65 5.83
1989 6.65 5.88
1988 6.66 5.94
1987 6.65 5.99
1986 6.63 6.05
1985 6.61 6.1
1984 6.59 6.16
1983 6.56 6.22
1982 6.54 6.28
1981 6.52 6.33
1980 6.5 6.39
1979 6.48 6.43
1978 6.46 6.47
1977 6.45 6.5
1976 6.44 6.52
1975 6.42 6.53
1974 6.4 6.53
1973 6.39 6.53
1972 6.37 6.51
1971 6.34 6.49
1970 6.33 6.47
1969 6.3 6.44
1968 6.29 6.42
1967 6.27 6.39
1966 6.24 6.37
1965 6.21 6.35
1964 6.19 6.33
1963 6.16 6.31
1962 6.14 6.28
1961 6.12 6.26
1960 6.11 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the DR Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Sao Tome
2023 3,467,787 5,221
2022 3,347,664 5,102
2021 3,227,992 4,954
2020 3,156,152 4,874
2019 3,075,538 4,932
2018 2,993,184 4,957
2017 2,883,245 5,007
2016 2,753,687 5,125
2015 2,665,016 5,269
2014 2,580,251 5,381
2013 2,489,378 5,449
2012 2,405,462 5,501
2011 2,310,679 5,445
2010 2,212,255 5,391
2009 2,126,912 5,349
2008 2,044,210 5,297
2007 1,963,738 5,226
2006 1,889,398 5,057
2005 1,800,300 4,897
2004 1,731,022 4,810
2003 1,679,188 4,702
2002 1,631,597 4,591
2001 1,594,999 4,471
2000 1,549,518 4,334
1999 1,450,318 4,221
1998 1,375,130 4,120
1997 1,392,037 4,041
1996 1,380,490 3,993
1995 1,395,440 3,948
1994 1,259,539 3,860
1993 1,209,242 3,841
1992 1,152,781 3,822
1991 1,114,033 3,801
1990 1,063,508 3,719
1989 1,027,238 3,576
1988 995,278 3,544
1987 959,875 3,440
1986 925,334 3,180
1985 885,670 3,242
1984 844,956 3,163
1983 807,122 3,100
1982 774,823 3,047
1981 748,371 3,015
1980 724,111 2,965
1979 691,773 2,893
1978 646,411 2,800
1977 638,242 2,705
1976 624,147 2,608
1975 608,655 2,515
1974 593,539 2,422
1973 578,280 2,329
1972 564,495 2,232
1971 549,343 2,127
1970 533,300 1,980
1969 514,800 1,862
1968 497,682 1,767
1967 479,552 1,693
1966 463,397 1,642
1965 429,002 1,611
1964 406,334 1,600
1963 398,972 1,609
1962 383,406 1,625
1961 368,207 1,657
1960 363,517 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

DR Congo
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Sao Tome
2023 41.3 28.2
2022 41.6 28.3
2021 41.9 28.5
2020 42.2 28.6
2019 42.5 29.2
2018 42.9 29.8
2017 43 30.6
2016 42.9 31.7
2015 43.2 33
2014 43.5 34.3
2013 43.7 35.4
2012 44 36.4
2011 44 36.8
2010 43.9 37.3
2009 44 37.9
2008 44 38.5
2007 44 38.9
2006 44 38.9
2005 43.7 39
2004 43.8 39.2
2003 44.2 39.6
2002 44.6 39.8
2001 45 40
2000 45.3 39.7
1999 45.2 39.4
1998 44.9 39.2
1997 46 39.2
1996 47 39.3
1995 47.2 39.5
1994 45.3 39.4
1993 45.9 39.8
1992 45.7 40.2
1991 46 40.7
1990 45.9 40.7
1989 46.1 40.9
1988 46.4 40.9
1987 46.5 41
1986 46.6 41
1985 46.5 41
1984 46.2 41.1
1983 46.1 41.2
1982 46 41.3
1981 46.1 41.5
1980 46.1 41.6
1979 45.8 41.6
1978 45.4 41.4
1977 45.9 41.3
1976 46.2 41.1
1975 46.4 40.9
1974 46.6 40.6
1973 46.9 40.3
1972 47.1 39.9
1971 47.4 39.5
1970 47.6 38.8
1969 47.7 38.2
1968 47.8 37.8
1967 47.9 37.7
1966 47.9 38
1965 47.8 38.6
1964 47.7 39.7
1963 47.5 41.1
1962 47.4 42.7
1961 47.2 44.6
1960 47.1 44.6

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 47.1 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Sao Tome
Fertility rate 6.05 3.64
Fertility rate rank 4/196 41/196
Birth rate 41.3 28.2
Birth rate rank 5/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 +5,221
Natural population change rank 4/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% +2.26%
Population growth +3.3% +2.02%
Population growth rank 11/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.3% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.6% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 1.39%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Sao Tome
2100 23.4% 19.5%
2099 23.6% 19.6%
2098 23.8% 19.8%
2097 24% 19.9%
2096 24.2% 20%
2095 24.4% 20.2%
2094 24.6% 20.3%
2093 24.8% 20.4%
2092 25% 20.6%
2091 25.2% 20.7%
2090 25.4% 20.9%
2089 25.6% 21.1%
2088 25.8% 21.2%
2087 26.1% 21.4%
2086 26.3% 21.6%
2085 26.5% 21.8%
2084 26.8% 22%
2083 27% 22.2%
2082 27.2% 22.4%
2081 27.5% 22.6%
2080 27.8% 22.9%
2079 28% 23.1%
2078 28.3% 23.3%
2077 28.6% 23.5%
2076 28.9% 23.7%
2075 29.2% 24%
2074 29.5% 24.2%
2073 29.8% 24.4%
2072 30.1% 24.6%
2071 30.4% 24.8%
2070 30.7% 25%
2069 31.1% 25.2%
2068 31.4% 25.4%
2067 31.7% 25.6%
2066 32.1% 25.9%
2065 32.4% 26.1%
2064 32.8% 26.3%
2063 33.1% 26.5%
2062 33.5% 26.8%
2061 33.8% 27%
2060 34.1% 27.3%
2059 34.5% 27.5%
2058 34.8% 27.8%
2057 35.1% 28.1%
2056 35.5% 28.4%
2055 35.8% 28.7%
2054 36.1% 29%
2053 36.5% 29.4%
2052 36.8% 29.7%
2051 37.1% 30.1%
2050 37.5% 30.4%
2049 37.8% 30.8%
2048 38.2% 31.1%
2047 38.6% 31.5%
2046 39% 31.8%
2045 39.4% 32.1%
2044 39.8% 32.5%
2043 40.2% 32.8%
2042 40.6% 33.1%
2041 41.1% 33.4%
2040 41.5% 33.6%
2039 42% 33.9%
2038 42.4% 34.1%
2037 42.8% 34.4%
2036 43.2% 34.6%
2035 43.6% 34.7%
2034 44% 34.9%
2033 44.3% 35.1%
2032 44.6% 35.3%
2031 44.9% 35.5%
2030 45.2% 35.8%
2029 45.4% 36.1%
2028 45.6% 36.6%
2027 45.8% 37%
2026 45.9% 37.3%
2025 46% 37.6%
2024 46% 37.8%
2023 46.1% 38.3%
2022 46.1% 38.8%
2021 46.1% 39.4%
2020 46.1% 39.9%
2019 46% 40.5%
2018 45.9% 40.9%
2017 45.8% 41.4%
2016 45.9% 41.7%
2015 46% 41.9%
2014 46% 42%
2013 46% 42%
2012 46% 42%
2011 46% 42%
2010 46.1% 42.1%
2009 46.1% 42.1%
2008 46% 42.1%
2007 46% 42%
2006 45.9% 42%
2005 45.9% 42%
2004 45.9% 42.1%
2003 45.8% 42.2%
2002 45.7% 42.3%
2001 45.7% 42.5%
2000 45.7% 42.8%
1999 45.6% 43.4%
1998 45.6% 43.9%
1997 45.4% 44.3%
1996 44.7% 44.7%
1995 44% 44.9%
1994 44.1% 45.1%
1993 44.5% 45.2%
1992 44.5% 45.2%
1991 44.4% 45.1%
1990 44.4% 45.1%
1989 44.3% 45%
1988 44.3% 45%
1987 44.2% 44.9%
1986 44.1% 44.7%
1985 44.1% 44.5%
1984 44.1% 44.4%
1983 44.2% 44.5%
1982 44.3% 44.5%
1981 44.3% 44.7%
1980 44.2% 44.9%
1979 44.3% 45.1%
1978 44.5% 45.2%
1977 44.6% 45.3%
1976 44.5% 45.4%
1975 44.3% 45.5%
1974 44.2% 45.6%
1973 44% 45.7%
1972 43.8% 45.9%
1971 43.6% 46.1%
1970 43.4% 46.2%
1969 43.3% 45.8%
1968 43.2% 44.9%
1967 43% 44%
1966 42.9% 42.9%
1965 42.8% 41.6%
1964 42.7% 40.2%
1963 42.7% 38.5%
1962 42.7% 36.6%
1961 42.8% 34.3%
1960 42.9% 32.9%

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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and Sao Tome and Principe compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Sao Tome and Principe

DR Congo
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Sao Tome
2023 427 75
2022 456 82
2021 507 98
2020 489 92
2019 493 95
2018 508 100
2017 519 110
2016 526 119
2015 545 128
2014 558 138
2013 567 150
2012 578 158
2011 589 164
2010 601 170
2009 608 172
2008 620 174
2007 631 174
2006 619 177
2005 613 181
2004 607 177
2003 605 178
2002 601 179
2001 588 178
2000 585 180
1999 601 179
1998 605 175
1997 617 173
1996 661 171
1995 644 172
1994 656 168
1993 683 166
1992 709 164
1991 735 166
1990 755 164
1989 791 167
1988 824 157
1987 863 161
1986 902 175
1985 934 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Sao Tome
2023 7.32% 1.39%
2022 7.57% 1.46%
2021 7.81% 1.53%
2020 8.07% 1.6%
2019 8.35% 1.7%
2018 8.63% 1.81%
2017 8.93% 1.95%
2016 9.23% 2.11%
2015 9.56% 2.31%
2014 9.9% 2.54%
2013 10.3% 2.77%
2012 10.6% 3.04%
2011 11% 3.33%
2010 11.4% 3.63%
2009 11.8% 3.95%
2008 12.2% 4.3%
2007 12.7% 4.68%
2006 13.1% 5.11%
2005 13.6% 5.56%
2004 14.1% 6.05%
2003 14.6% 6.57%
2002 15% 7.1%
2001 15.5% 7.66%
2000 15.9% 8.21%
1999 16.3% 8.76%
1998 16.7% 9.26%
1997 17% 9.73%
1996 17.3% 10.1%
1995 17.5% 10.4%
1994 17.7% 10.7%
1993 17.9% 10.8%
1992 18.1% 10.9%
1991 18.3% 10.9%
1990 18.5% 10.8%
1989 18.8% 10.7%
1988 19% 10.6%
1987 19.2% 10.4%
1986 19.5% 11.4%
1985 19.7% 9.99%
1984 20% 9.77%
1983 20.3% 9.56%
1982 20.6% 9.37%
1981 20.9% 9.21%
1980 21.2% 9.1%
1979 21.5% 9.02%
1978 21.9% 8.96%
1977 22.3% 8.93%
1976 22.6% 8.89%
1975 23% 8.85%
1974 23.4% 8.79%
1973 23.7% 8.73%
1972 24% 8.67%
1971 24.3% 8.63%
1970 24.7% 8.64%
1969 25.1% 8.71%
1968 - 8.85%
1967 - 9.04%
1966 - 9.29%
1965 - 9.56%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 1.39% in Sao Tome and Principe. 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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