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Fertility & birth rates in DR Congo and Suriname

Updated on by Georank team

The DR Congo has an annual birth rate of 41.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 17.3 for Suriname. 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 2.25 in Suriname — 62.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 0.88% in the DR Congo and by 65.9% in Suriname — in 1960, it was 6.11 and 6.59, respectively.

  • The DR Congo is ranked 5/196 by birth rate compared to 87/196 for Suriname.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.1 in the DR Congo — it's 28.6 in Suriname.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 106.9 in the DR Congo vs 48 in Suriname.
  • In the DR Congo, 22.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Suriname.

Fertility rate in DR Congo vs Suriname by year

DR Congo
Suriname
1x
Year Fertility rate
DR Congo Suriname
2023 6.05 2.25
2022 6.11 2.27
2021 6.16 2.3
2020 6.21 2.31
2019 6.25 2.35
2018 6.3 2.38
2017 6.35 2.43
2016 6.39 2.5
2015 6.44 2.57
2014 6.48 2.62
2013 6.53 2.65
2012 6.56 2.67
2011 6.58 2.67
2010 6.59 2.69
2009 6.59 2.71
2008 6.58 2.73
2007 6.56 2.74
2006 6.55 2.73
2005 6.53 2.71
2004 6.53 2.74
2003 6.55 2.84
2002 6.61 2.96
2001 6.66 3.06
2000 6.7 3.05
1999 6.69 3.02
1998 6.7 2.99
1997 6.69 2.95
1996 6.67 2.92
1995 6.68 2.9
1994 6.64 2.9
1993 6.64 2.94
1992 6.64 3.01
1991 6.65 3.09
1990 6.65 3.23
1989 6.65 3.39
1988 6.66 3.46
1987 6.65 3.53
1986 6.63 3.61
1985 6.61 3.71
1984 6.59 3.8
1983 6.56 3.87
1982 6.54 3.82
1981 6.52 3.75
1980 6.5 3.79
1979 6.48 3.93
1978 6.46 4.08
1977 6.45 4.26
1976 6.44 4.45
1975 6.42 4.63
1974 6.4 4.81
1973 6.39 5.01
1972 6.37 5.18
1971 6.34 5.36
1970 6.33 5.53
1969 6.3 5.7
1968 6.29 5.86
1967 6.27 6.04
1966 6.24 6.2
1965 6.21 6.32
1964 6.19 6.43
1963 6.16 6.51
1962 6.14 6.57
1961 6.12 6.58
1960 6.11 6.59

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/suriname | 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 2.25 in Suriname in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

DR Congo
Suriname
1x
Year Natural population change
DR Congo Suriname
2023 3,467,787 6,697
2022 3,347,664 6,719
2021 3,227,992 5,291
2020 3,156,152 6,640
2019 3,075,538 6,564
2018 2,993,184 6,613
2017 2,883,245 6,772
2016 2,753,687 6,979
2015 2,665,016 7,150
2014 2,580,251 7,284
2013 2,489,378 7,350
2012 2,405,462 7,405
2011 2,310,679 7,401
2010 2,212,255 7,489
2009 2,126,912 7,559
2008 2,044,210 7,552
2007 1,963,738 7,468
2006 1,889,398 7,278
2005 1,800,300 7,037
2004 1,731,022 6,948
2003 1,679,188 7,396
2002 1,631,597 7,916
2001 1,594,999 8,349
2000 1,549,518 8,323
1999 1,450,318 8,236
1998 1,375,130 8,173
1997 1,392,037 8,106
1996 1,380,490 8,031
1995 1,395,440 7,968
1994 1,259,539 7,929
1993 1,209,242 8,127
1992 1,152,781 8,355
1991 1,114,033 8,637
1990 1,063,508 9,047
1989 1,027,238 9,441
1988 995,278 9,347
1987 959,875 9,319
1986 925,334 9,222
1985 885,670 9,177
1984 844,956 9,031
1983 807,122 8,797
1982 774,823 8,197
1981 748,371 7,541
1980 724,111 7,002
1979 691,773 7,312
1978 646,411 7,650
1977 638,242 7,998
1976 624,147 8,327
1975 608,655 8,587
1974 593,539 8,751
1973 578,280 8,877
1972 564,495 8,893
1971 549,343 8,814
1970 533,300 8,823
1969 514,800 8,880
1968 497,682 8,980
1967 479,552 9,104
1966 463,397 9,243
1965 429,002 9,270
1964 406,334 9,174
1963 398,972 8,838
1962 383,406 8,529
1961 368,207 8,361
1960 363,517 8,170

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/suriname | 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 +1.06% in Suriname.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.29% in the DR Congo and +1.11% in Suriname.

Birth rate in DR Congo vs Suriname by year

DR Congo
Suriname

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
DR Congo Suriname
2023 41.3 17.3
2022 41.6 17.5
2021 41.9 17.6
2020 42.2 17.7
2019 42.5 17.9
2018 42.9 18.1
2017 43 18.4
2016 42.9 18.9
2015 43.2 19.5
2014 43.5 19.9
2013 43.7 20.1
2012 44 20.3
2011 44 20.4
2010 43.9 20.7
2009 44 21.1
2008 44 21.3
2007 44 21.6
2006 44 21.7
2005 43.7 21.7
2004 43.8 22.1
2003 44.2 23
2002 44.6 24.3
2001 45 25.4
2000 45.3 25.5
1999 45.2 25.6
1998 44.9 25.6
1997 46 25.8
1996 47 25.9
1995 47.2 26.1
1994 45.3 26.5
1993 45.9 27.2
1992 45.7 28
1991 46 28.9
1990 45.9 30.1
1989 46.1 31.4
1988 46.4 31.9
1987 46.5 32.4
1986 46.6 32.6
1985 46.5 32.9
1984 46.2 33
1983 46.1 32.9
1982 46 31.7
1981 46.1 30.3
1980 46.1 29.2
1979 45.8 29.8
1978 45.4 30.4
1977 45.9 31
1976 46.2 31.6
1975 46.4 32.1
1974 46.6 32.4
1973 46.9 32.6
1972 47.1 32.7
1971 47.4 32.8
1970 47.6 33.7
1969 47.7 34.9
1968 47.8 36.4
1967 47.9 37.9
1966 47.9 39.5
1965 47.8 40.9
1964 47.7 42
1963 47.5 42.6
1962 47.4 43.5
1961 47.2 44.4
1960 47.1 44.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 41.3 in the DR Congo and 17.3 in Suriname, compared with 47.1 and 44.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

DR Congo Suriname
Fertility rate 6.05 2.25
Fertility rate rank 4/196 84/196
Birth rate 41.3 17.3
Birth rate rank 5/196 87/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,467,787 +6,697
Natural population change rank 4/196 123/196
Natural population change rate +3.28% +1.06%
Population growth +3.3% +0.88%
Population growth rank 11/197 108/197
Age at first childbirth 19.9 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 30.1 years 28.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 103.3 44.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 244.2 105
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 106.7 24.6
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% 38.7%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 85.2% 98.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.43% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.53% 0.99%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.45% 1.52%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 7.32% 1.62%
Life expectancy 62.4 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

DR Congo
Factual

UN forecast
Suriname
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
DR Congo Suriname
2100 23.4% 14.9%
2099 23.6% 15%
2098 23.8% 15%
2097 24% 15.1%
2096 24.2% 15.1%
2095 24.4% 15.2%
2094 24.6% 15.2%
2093 24.8% 15.3%
2092 25% 15.4%
2091 25.2% 15.4%
2090 25.4% 15.5%
2089 25.6% 15.6%
2088 25.8% 15.7%
2087 26.1% 15.8%
2086 26.3% 15.8%
2085 26.5% 15.9%
2084 26.8% 16%
2083 27% 16.1%
2082 27.2% 16.2%
2081 27.5% 16.3%
2080 27.8% 16.4%
2079 28% 16.5%
2078 28.3% 16.6%
2077 28.6% 16.6%
2076 28.9% 16.7%
2075 29.2% 16.8%
2074 29.5% 16.9%
2073 29.8% 17%
2072 30.1% 17.1%
2071 30.4% 17.2%
2070 30.7% 17.3%
2069 31.1% 17.4%
2068 31.4% 17.5%
2067 31.7% 17.6%
2066 32.1% 17.7%
2065 32.4% 17.8%
2064 32.8% 17.9%
2063 33.1% 18%
2062 33.5% 18.2%
2061 33.8% 18.3%
2060 34.1% 18.4%
2059 34.5% 18.5%
2058 34.8% 18.7%
2057 35.1% 18.8%
2056 35.5% 19%
2055 35.8% 19.1%
2054 36.1% 19.3%
2053 36.5% 19.5%
2052 36.8% 19.6%
2051 37.1% 19.8%
2050 37.5% 20%
2049 37.8% 20.2%
2048 38.2% 20.4%
2047 38.6% 20.6%
2046 39% 20.8%
2045 39.4% 21%
2044 39.8% 21.2%
2043 40.2% 21.4%
2042 40.6% 21.5%
2041 41.1% 21.7%
2040 41.5% 21.9%
2039 42% 22.2%
2038 42.4% 22.3%
2037 42.8% 22.5%
2036 43.2% 22.7%
2035 43.6% 22.9%
2034 44% 23.1%
2033 44.3% 23.3%
2032 44.6% 23.5%
2031 44.9% 23.8%
2030 45.2% 24%
2029 45.4% 24.3%
2028 45.6% 24.6%
2027 45.8% 24.9%
2026 45.9% 25.2%
2025 46% 25.5%
2024 46% 25.6%
2023 46.1% 25.9%
2022 46.1% 26.3%
2021 46.1% 26.5%
2020 46.1% 26.8%
2019 46% 27.2%
2018 45.9% 27.5%
2017 45.8% 27.9%
2016 45.9% 28.3%
2015 46% 28.7%
2014 46% 29.1%
2013 46% 29.4%
2012 46% 29.8%
2011 46% 30%
2010 46.1% 30.3%
2009 46.1% 30.5%
2008 46% 30.6%
2007 46% 30.7%
2006 45.9% 30.8%
2005 45.9% 30.9%
2004 45.9% 31%
2003 45.8% 31.3%
2002 45.7% 31.8%
2001 45.7% 32.3%
2000 45.7% 33%
1999 45.6% 33.7%
1998 45.6% 34.5%
1997 45.4% 35.3%
1996 44.7% 36.1%
1995 44% 36.7%
1994 44.1% 37%
1993 44.5% 37.1%
1992 44.5% 37.2%
1991 44.4% 37.3%
1990 44.4% 37.4%
1989 44.3% 37.5%
1988 44.3% 37.7%
1987 44.2% 37.8%
1986 44.1% 38%
1985 44.1% 38.3%
1984 44.1% 38.6%
1983 44.2% 39%
1982 44.3% 39.5%
1981 44.3% 40.1%
1980 44.2% 41%
1979 44.3% 41.8%
1978 44.5% 42.6%
1977 44.6% 43.4%
1976 44.5% 44.3%
1975 44.3% 45.1%
1974 44.2% 46%
1973 44% 46.8%
1972 43.8% 47.8%
1971 43.6% 48.5%
1970 43.4% 48.8%
1969 43.3% 48.9%
1968 43.2% 48.8%
1967 43% 48.5%
1966 42.9% 48%
1965 42.8% 47.4%
1964 42.7% 46.8%
1963 42.7% 46.1%
1962 42.7% 45.1%
1961 42.8% 44.6%
1960 42.9% 44.5%

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/suriname | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46% of the population in the DR Congo and 25.6% in Suriname in 2024, compared to 44.4% and 37.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the DR Congo and Suriname compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: DR Congo vs Suriname

DR Congo
Suriname
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
DR Congo Suriname
2023 427 84
2022 456 88
2021 507 144
2020 489 94
2019 493 97
2018 508 101
2017 519 105
2016 526 109
2015 545 115
2014 558 120
2013 567 121
2012 578 122
2011 589 126
2010 601 134
2009 608 147
2008 620 161
2007 631 173
2006 619 187
2005 613 202
2004 607 219
2003 605 238
2002 601 253
2001 588 270
2000 585 282
1999 601 291
1998 605 302
1997 617 312
1996 661 323
1995 644 331
1994 656 334
1993 683 343
1992 709 346
1991 735 347
1990 755 350
1989 791 360
1988 824 364
1987 863 372
1986 902 377
1985 934 386

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/dr-congo/suriname | 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 84 deaths in Suriname.

Under-five mortality rates

DR Congo
Suriname

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
DR Congo Suriname
2023 7.32% 1.62%
2022 7.57% 1.68%
2021 7.81% 1.73%
2020 8.07% 1.78%
2019 8.35% 1.84%
2018 8.63% 1.9%
2017 8.93% 1.95%
2016 9.23% 2%
2015 9.56% 2.05%
2014 9.9% 2.11%
2013 10.3% 2.16%
2012 10.6% 2.21%
2011 11% 2.26%
2010 11.4% 2.32%
2009 11.8% 2.38%
2008 12.2% 2.44%
2007 12.7% 2.5%
2006 13.1% 2.57%
2005 13.6% 2.64%
2004 14.1% 2.72%
2003 14.6% 2.81%
2002 15% 2.9%
2001 15.5% 3%
2000 15.9% 3.11%
1999 16.3% 3.22%
1998 16.7% 3.34%
1997 17% 3.47%
1996 17.3% 3.6%
1995 17.5% 3.74%
1994 17.7% 3.88%
1993 17.9% 4.03%
1992 18.1% 4.19%
1991 18.3% 4.34%
1990 18.5% 4.49%
1989 18.8% 4.65%
1988 19% 4.81%
1987 19.2% 4.97%
1986 19.5% 5.13%
1985 19.7% 5.31%
1984 20% 5.49%
1983 20.3% 5.67%
1982 20.6% -
1981 20.9% -
1980 21.2% -
1979 21.5% -
1978 21.9% -
1977 22.3% -
1976 22.6% -
1975 23% -
1974 23.4% -
1973 23.7% -
1972 24% -
1971 24.3% -
1970 24.7% -
1969 25.1% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1969–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 7.32% in the DR Congo and 1.62% in Suriname. 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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