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Fertility & birth rates in Eswatini and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

Eswatini has an annual birth rate of 24.1 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 2.75 in Eswatini and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 32.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 59.2% in Eswatini and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 6.75 and 6.24, respectively.

  • Eswatini is ranked 57/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.5 years in Eswatini, compared to 19.4 years in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.8 in Eswatini — 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 68.7 in Eswatini vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In Eswatini, 27.1% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Eswatini vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Eswatini
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Eswatini Sao Tome
2023 2.75 3.64
2022 2.8 3.7
2021 2.84 3.76
2020 2.89 3.83
2019 2.93 3.9
2018 2.97 3.98
2017 3.02 4.07
2016 3.07 4.2
2015 3.12 4.35
2014 3.18 4.49
2013 3.24 4.58
2012 3.27 4.66
2011 3.32 4.72
2010 3.38 4.77
2009 3.5 4.84
2008 3.57 4.91
2007 3.58 4.96
2006 3.63 4.93
2005 3.7 4.94
2004 3.76 4.96
2003 3.8 5.01
2002 3.85 5.06
2001 3.94 5.1
2000 4.03 5.16
1999 4.09 5.23
1998 4.13 5.3
1997 4.24 5.4
1996 4.38 5.47
1995 4.52 5.55
1994 4.66 5.56
1993 4.82 5.64
1992 4.98 5.7
1991 5.13 5.77
1990 5.3 5.83
1989 5.48 5.88
1988 5.69 5.94
1987 5.9 5.99
1986 6.11 6.05
1985 6.28 6.1
1984 6.36 6.16
1983 6.43 6.22
1982 6.49 6.28
1981 6.54 6.33
1980 6.57 6.39
1979 6.61 6.43
1978 6.65 6.47
1977 6.68 6.5
1976 6.7 6.52
1975 6.71 6.53
1974 6.71 6.53
1973 6.72 6.53
1972 6.72 6.51
1971 6.74 6.49
1970 6.75 6.47
1969 6.76 6.44
1968 6.76 6.42
1967 6.77 6.39
1966 6.8 6.37
1965 6.79 6.35
1964 6.79 6.33
1963 6.8 6.31
1962 6.79 6.28
1961 6.77 6.26
1960 6.75 6.24

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Eswatini was 2.75 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 Eswatini vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Eswatini
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Eswatini Sao Tome
2023 20,147 5,221
2022 20,125 5,102
2021 17,314 4,954
2020 18,899 4,874
2019 19,488 4,932
2018 19,392 4,957
2017 19,278 5,007
2016 19,233 5,125
2015 19,223 5,269
2014 19,107 5,381
2013 18,903 5,449
2012 18,308 5,501
2011 17,645 5,445
2010 17,652 5,391
2009 17,656 5,349
2008 17,275 5,297
2007 16,595 5,226
2006 16,133 5,057
2005 15,945 4,897
2004 15,979 4,810
2003 16,396 4,702
2002 16,924 4,591
2001 17,824 4,471
2000 18,830 4,334
1999 19,420 4,221
1998 19,762 4,120
1997 20,686 4,041
1996 21,858 3,993
1995 23,029 3,948
1994 26,703 3,860
1993 28,046 3,841
1992 28,446 3,822
1991 28,497 3,801
1990 28,349 3,719
1989 28,257 3,576
1988 27,396 3,544
1987 27,285 3,440
1986 27,096 3,180
1985 26,835 3,242
1984 26,149 3,163
1983 24,883 3,100
1982 24,742 3,047
1981 23,973 3,015
1980 23,153 2,965
1979 22,299 2,893
1978 21,466 2,800
1977 20,609 2,705
1976 19,734 2,608
1975 18,849 2,515
1974 17,971 2,422
1973 17,145 2,329
1972 16,353 2,232
1971 15,615 2,127
1970 14,873 1,980
1969 14,164 1,862
1968 13,449 1,767
1967 12,773 1,693
1966 12,282 1,642
1965 11,719 1,611
1964 11,266 1,600
1963 10,929 1,609
1962 10,601 1,625
1961 10,262 1,657
1960 9,947 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/eswatini/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 +1.64% in Eswatini and +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.63% in Eswatini and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Eswatini vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Eswatini
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Eswatini Sao Tome
2023 24.1 28.2
2022 24.6 28.3
2021 25 28.5
2020 25.4 28.6
2019 25.9 29.2
2018 26.4 29.8
2017 26.9 30.6
2016 27.6 31.7
2015 28.3 33
2014 29 34.3
2013 29.6 35.4
2012 30 36.4
2011 30.4 36.8
2010 30.9 37.3
2009 31.9 37.9
2008 32.3 38.5
2007 32.2 38.9
2006 32.2 38.9
2005 32.5 39
2004 32.6 39.2
2003 32.3 39.6
2002 32.2 39.8
2001 32.4 40
2000 32.6 39.7
1999 32.5 39.4
1998 32.2 39.2
1997 32.4 39.2
1996 33.1 39.3
1995 34 39.5
1994 37.3 39.4
1993 37.9 39.8
1992 38.7 40.2
1991 39.5 40.7
1990 40.4 40.7
1989 41.6 40.9
1988 42.2 40.9
1987 43.9 41
1986 45.4 41
1985 46.9 41
1984 47.8 41.1
1983 48.4 41.2
1982 48.9 41.3
1981 49.5 41.5
1980 49.8 41.6
1979 50.1 41.6
1978 50.4 41.4
1977 50.6 41.3
1976 50.7 41.1
1975 50.6 40.9
1974 50.3 40.6
1973 50.1 40.3
1972 49.8 39.9
1971 49.5 39.5
1970 49.1 38.8
1969 48.6 38.2
1968 48.1 37.8
1967 47.5 37.7
1966 47.4 38
1965 47.2 38.6
1964 47.1 39.7
1963 47.3 41.1
1962 47.3 42.7
1961 47.4 44.6
1960 47.4 44.6

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 24.1 in Eswatini and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 47.4 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Eswatini Sao Tome
Fertility rate 2.75 3.64
Fertility rate rank 61/196 41/196
Birth rate 24.1 28.2
Birth rate rank 57/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +20,147 +5,221
Natural population change rank 108/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +1.64% +2.26%
Population growth +1% +2.02%
Population growth rank 101/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth 19.5 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 27.8 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 67.1 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 134.3 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 36.5 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27.1% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 57% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 88.3% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.12% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.45% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.35% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.5% 1.39%
Life expectancy 64.5 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Eswatini
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Eswatini Sao Tome
2100 17.1% 19.5%
2099 17.2% 19.6%
2098 17.3% 19.8%
2097 17.4% 19.9%
2096 17.4% 20%
2095 17.5% 20.2%
2094 17.6% 20.3%
2093 17.7% 20.4%
2092 17.8% 20.6%
2091 17.9% 20.7%
2090 18% 20.9%
2089 18.1% 21.1%
2088 18.2% 21.2%
2087 18.3% 21.4%
2086 18.4% 21.6%
2085 18.5% 21.8%
2084 18.6% 22%
2083 18.7% 22.2%
2082 18.8% 22.4%
2081 19% 22.6%
2080 19.1% 22.9%
2079 19.2% 23.1%
2078 19.3% 23.3%
2077 19.4% 23.5%
2076 19.6% 23.7%
2075 19.7% 24%
2074 19.8% 24.2%
2073 20% 24.4%
2072 20.1% 24.6%
2071 20.3% 24.8%
2070 20.4% 25%
2069 20.6% 25.2%
2068 20.7% 25.4%
2067 20.9% 25.6%
2066 21.1% 25.9%
2065 21.2% 26.1%
2064 21.4% 26.3%
2063 21.6% 26.5%
2062 21.8% 26.8%
2061 22% 27%
2060 22.3% 27.3%
2059 22.5% 27.5%
2058 22.7% 27.8%
2057 23% 28.1%
2056 23.2% 28.4%
2055 23.5% 28.7%
2054 23.7% 29%
2053 24% 29.4%
2052 24.2% 29.7%
2051 24.5% 30.1%
2050 24.7% 30.4%
2049 25% 30.8%
2048 25.3% 31.1%
2047 25.5% 31.5%
2046 25.8% 31.8%
2045 26.1% 32.1%
2044 26.4% 32.5%
2043 26.7% 32.8%
2042 27% 33.1%
2041 27.3% 33.4%
2040 27.6% 33.6%
2039 27.9% 33.9%
2038 28.2% 34.1%
2037 28.6% 34.4%
2036 28.9% 34.6%
2035 29.3% 34.7%
2034 29.7% 34.9%
2033 30.1% 35.1%
2032 30.5% 35.3%
2031 30.8% 35.5%
2030 31.2% 35.8%
2029 31.6% 36.1%
2028 32% 36.6%
2027 32.4% 37%
2026 32.8% 37.3%
2025 33.2% 37.6%
2024 33.4% 37.8%
2023 33.7% 38.3%
2022 34% 38.8%
2021 34.3% 39.4%
2020 34.7% 39.9%
2019 35.1% 40.5%
2018 35.6% 40.9%
2017 36% 41.4%
2016 36.4% 41.7%
2015 36.8% 41.9%
2014 37.2% 42%
2013 37.6% 42%
2012 38% 42%
2011 38.4% 42%
2010 38.8% 42.1%
2009 39.3% 42.1%
2008 39.9% 42.1%
2007 40.4% 42%
2006 40.8% 42%
2005 41.1% 42%
2004 41.4% 42.1%
2003 41.8% 42.2%
2002 42.3% 42.3%
2001 42.9% 42.5%
2000 43.6% 42.8%
1999 44.4% 43.4%
1998 45.3% 43.9%
1997 46.2% 44.3%
1996 46.9% 44.7%
1995 47.4% 44.9%
1994 47% 45.1%
1993 46.4% 45.2%
1992 46.6% 45.2%
1991 47.1% 45.1%
1990 47.6% 45.1%
1989 48.1% 45%
1988 48.7% 45%
1987 49.3% 44.9%
1986 49.4% 44.7%
1985 49.5% 44.5%
1984 49.4% 44.4%
1983 49.3% 44.5%
1982 49.2% 44.5%
1981 48.9% 44.7%
1980 48.7% 44.9%
1979 48.5% 45.1%
1978 48.3% 45.2%
1977 48.1% 45.3%
1976 47.9% 45.4%
1975 47.7% 45.5%
1974 47.5% 45.6%
1973 47.4% 45.7%
1972 47.3% 45.9%
1971 47.2% 46.1%
1970 47.2% 46.2%
1969 47.2% 45.8%
1968 47.3% 44.9%
1967 47.5% 44%
1966 47.7% 42.9%
1965 47.7% 41.6%
1964 47.8% 40.2%
1963 47.7% 38.5%
1962 47.4% 36.6%
1961 47.2% 34.3%
1960 46.9% 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/eswatini/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 33.4% of the population in Eswatini and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 47.6% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Eswatini 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/eswatini/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Eswatini vs Sao Tome and Principe

Eswatini
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Eswatini Sao Tome
2023 118 75
2022 112 82
2021 219 98
2020 102 92
2019 96 95
2018 133 100
2017 151 110
2016 213 119
2015 283 128
2014 369 138
2013 491 150
2012 613 158
2011 765 164
2010 752 170
2009 855 172
2008 766 174
2007 647 174
2006 511 177
2005 529 181
2004 451 177
2003 392 178
2002 331 179
2001 307 178
2000 361 180
1999 409 179
1998 475 175
1997 550 173
1996 604 171
1995 612 172
1994 645 168
1993 609 166
1992 580 164
1991 545 166
1990 520 164
1989 505 167
1988 494 157
1987 521 161
1986 548 175
1985 580 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/eswatini/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 118 deaths per 100,000 live births in Eswatini, compared to 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Eswatini
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Eswatini Sao Tome
2023 4.5% 1.39%
2022 4.62% 1.46%
2021 4.76% 1.53%
2020 4.98% 1.6%
2019 5.16% 1.7%
2018 5.1% 1.81%
2017 5.43% 1.95%
2016 5.53% 2.11%
2015 5.86% 2.31%
2014 6.17% 2.54%
2013 6.16% 2.77%
2012 6.38% 3.04%
2011 6.81% 3.33%
2010 8.18% 3.63%
2009 9.25% 3.95%
2008 9.82% 4.3%
2007 10% 4.68%
2006 10.5% 5.11%
2005 11.6% 5.56%
2004 11.6% 6.05%
2003 11.6% 6.57%
2002 11.4% 7.1%
2001 11.3% 7.66%
2000 10.9% 8.21%
1999 10.4% 8.76%
1998 9.87% 9.26%
1997 9.3% 9.73%
1996 8.71% 10.1%
1995 8.12% 10.4%
1994 7.62% 10.7%
1993 7.17% 10.8%
1992 6.85% 10.9%
1991 6.72% 10.9%
1990 6.75% 10.8%
1989 6.93% 10.7%
1988 7.2% 10.6%
1987 7.54% 10.4%
1986 7.93% 11.4%
1985 8.37% 9.99%
1984 8.85% 9.77%
1983 10.4% 9.56%
1982 9.89% 9.37%
1981 10.4% 9.21%
1980 10.9% 9.1%
1979 11.5% 9.02%
1978 12% 8.96%
1977 12.6% 8.93%
1976 13.2% 8.89%
1975 13.7% 8.85%
1974 14.3% 8.79%
1973 14.9% 8.73%
1972 15.4% 8.67%
1971 16% 8.63%
1970 16.5% 8.64%
1969 17% 8.71%
1968 17.4% 8.85%
1967 17.9% 9.04%
1966 18.3% 9.29%
1965 18.8% 9.56%
1964 19.2% -
1963 19.6% -
1962 20% -
1961 20.4% -
1960 20.7% -

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.5% in Eswatini 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) (2017–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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