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Fertility & birth rates in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has an annual birth rate of 31.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 30.4 for Zimbabwe. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.99 in Ethiopia and 3.72 in Zimbabwe — 6.64% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.8% in Ethiopia and by 48.2% in Zimbabwe — in 1960, it was 6.51 and 7.2, respectively.

  • Ethiopia is ranked 23/196 by birth rate compared to 31/196 for Zimbabwe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.3 years in Ethiopia, compared to 20.3 years in Zimbabwe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29 in Ethiopia — it's 28.1 in Zimbabwe.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 69.9 in Ethiopia vs 98.1 in Zimbabwe.
  • In Ethiopia, 25.1% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.5% in Zimbabwe.

Fertility rate in Ethiopia vs Zimbabwe by year

Ethiopia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2023 3.99 3.72
2022 4.08 3.77
2021 4.18 3.77
2020 4.27 3.75
2019 4.35 3.75
2018 4.37 3.74
2017 4.4 3.77
2016 4.47 3.83
2015 4.53 3.91
2014 4.61 4.01
2013 4.71 4.11
2012 4.89 4.13
2011 5.08 4.13
2010 5.28 4.04
2009 5.49 3.95
2008 5.7 3.78
2007 5.89 3.68
2006 6.05 3.64
2005 6.19 3.69
2004 6.3 3.78
2003 6.4 3.86
2002 6.5 3.93
2001 6.58 3.98
2000 6.65 4.01
1999 6.72 4.06
1998 6.79 4.07
1997 6.87 4.08
1996 6.93 4.11
1995 7 4.15
1994 7.05 4.28
1993 7.09 4.39
1992 7.13 4.57
1991 7.16 4.72
1990 7.2 4.88
1989 7.23 5.07
1988 7.26 5.28
1987 7.29 5.5
1986 7.32 5.69
1985 7.34 5.87
1984 7.36 6.04
1983 7.35 6.2
1982 7.34 6.33
1981 7.31 6.45
1980 7.29 6.52
1979 7.25 6.59
1978 7.23 6.66
1977 7.19 6.71
1976 7.13 6.77
1975 7.08 6.83
1974 7.02 6.88
1973 6.96 6.94
1972 6.9 6.94
1971 6.84 6.94
1970 6.78 6.98
1969 6.72 7.04
1968 6.7 7.11
1967 6.68 7.16
1966 6.66 7.2
1965 6.63 7.23
1964 6.61 7.23
1963 6.59 7.23
1962 6.56 7.23
1961 6.53 7.21
1960 6.51 7.2

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Ethiopia was 3.99 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.72 in Zimbabwe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Ethiopia vs Zimbabwe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Ethiopia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Natural population change
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2023 3,338,649 372,505
2022 3,300,114 371,243
2021 3,204,673 349,908
2020 3,199,718 354,790
2019 3,132,780 348,798
2018 3,015,231 345,883
2017 2,899,143 344,035
2016 2,809,889 348,772
2015 2,713,529 356,203
2014 2,623,647 366,350
2013 2,546,020 374,757
2012 2,533,398 371,135
2011 2,527,811 359,572
2010 2,498,048 335,570
2009 2,467,118 309,316
2008 2,465,283 280,527
2007 2,436,753 261,805
2006 2,393,585 248,963
2005 2,353,375 248,545
2004 2,296,999 248,307
2003 2,231,223 243,057
2002 2,189,683 244,170
2001 2,137,791 227,909
2000 2,083,622 236,343
1999 2,010,987 232,393
1998 1,984,989 225,614
1997 1,945,112 216,288
1996 1,896,364 205,269
1995 1,831,068 206,695
1994 1,788,133 216,343
1993 1,734,851 228,045
1992 1,673,839 255,291
1991 1,579,416 260,943
1990 1,479,663 265,444
1989 1,441,769 270,838
1988 1,393,356 277,498
1987 1,356,853 286,766
1986 1,050,277 289,894
1985 997,050 290,756
1984 920,670 290,052
1983 863,472 286,545
1982 1,080,853 279,934
1981 1,018,838 271,361
1980 1,007,516 241,179
1979 987,203 223,657
1978 943,388 222,979
1977 929,381 225,139
1976 899,577 221,419
1975 801,425 216,947
1974 777,306 208,806
1973 807,535 201,885
1972 779,808 193,725
1971 787,047 185,427
1970 760,821 178,979
1969 736,428 172,626
1968 715,602 166,865
1967 695,283 161,205
1966 616,281 156,014
1965 642,359 151,164
1964 618,667 145,848
1963 590,998 140,984
1962 563,650 136,317
1961 538,518 131,531
1960 511,694 126,959

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | 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 +2.59% in Ethiopia and +2.28% in Zimbabwe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.64% in Ethiopia and +2.34% in Zimbabwe.

Birth rate in Ethiopia vs Zimbabwe by year

Ethiopia
Zimbabwe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2023 31.9 30.4
2022 32.4 30.9
2021 32.9 30.9
2020 33.3 31
2019 33.5 31.1
2018 33.4 31.3
2017 33.2 31.8
2016 33.3 32.7
2015 33.3 33.9
2014 33.4 35.4
2013 33.6 37
2012 34.6 37.8
2011 35.7 38.1
2010 36.6 37.9
2009 37.5 37.5
2008 38.9 36.4
2007 40.1 35.7
2006 41.1 35.2
2005 42.1 35.8
2004 42.7 36.3
2003 43.3 36.6
2002 44.3 36.5
2001 45 36.5
2000 45.6 36.1
1999 46.4 35.6
1998 47 34.5
1997 47.9 33.4
1996 48.6 32.4
1995 49 31.7
1994 49.6 32
1993 50.1 32.4
1992 50.4 34.3
1991 50.2 34.9
1990 50.8 35.5
1989 50.8 36.4
1988 50.9 37.7
1987 51.2 39.5
1986 51.5 40.9
1985 51.6 42.3
1984 51.4 43.7
1983 51.1 45
1982 50.8 45.7
1981 50.3 46.3
1980 51.4 44.8
1979 51.3 46.3
1978 51 46.8
1977 51.2 46.5
1976 50.7 46.5
1975 50.6 46.6
1974 50.4 46.4
1973 50.1 46.4
1972 50 46
1971 49.9 45.6
1970 49.7 45.5
1969 49.6 45.5
1968 49.5 45.7
1967 49.6 45.8
1966 49.5 46.1
1965 49.3 46.4
1964 49 46.6
1963 48.7 46.8
1962 48.5 47.1
1961 48.1 47.3
1960 47.9 47.5

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 31.9 in Ethiopia and 30.4 in Zimbabwe, compared with 47.9 and 47.5, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Ethiopia Zimbabwe
Fertility rate 3.99 3.72
Fertility rate rank 27/196 36/196
Birth rate 31.9 30.4
Birth rate rank 23/196 31/196
Population change due to births and deaths +3,338,649 +372,505
Natural population change rank 5/196 45/196
Natural population change rate +2.59% +2.28%
Population growth +2.62% +1.8%
Population growth rank 25/197 60/197
Age at first childbirth 19.3 years 20.3 years
Average age at childbearing 29 years 28.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 64.5 93.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 185.9 176.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 61 47.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.1% 26.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 34.6% 65.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 49.8% 86%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.2% 0.36%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.74% 2.24%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.57% 4.06%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.65% 4.42%
Life expectancy 68.1 years 63.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Ethiopia
Factual

UN forecast
Zimbabwe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2100 19.2% 20.3%
2099 19.4% 20.5%
2098 19.5% 20.6%
2097 19.6% 20.8%
2096 19.8% 20.9%
2095 19.9% 21.1%
2094 20.1% 21.3%
2093 20.2% 21.4%
2092 20.4% 21.6%
2091 20.5% 21.8%
2090 20.7% 22%
2089 20.9% 22.2%
2088 21% 22.4%
2087 21.2% 22.6%
2086 21.4% 22.8%
2085 21.5% 23%
2084 21.7% 23.2%
2083 21.9% 23.4%
2082 22.1% 23.6%
2081 22.3% 23.8%
2080 22.5% 24%
2079 22.6% 24.2%
2078 22.8% 24.4%
2077 23.1% 24.6%
2076 23.3% 24.9%
2075 23.5% 25.1%
2074 23.7% 25.3%
2073 23.9% 25.5%
2072 24.2% 25.7%
2071 24.4% 25.9%
2070 24.7% 26.2%
2069 24.9% 26.4%
2068 25.2% 26.6%
2067 25.4% 26.8%
2066 25.7% 27.1%
2065 26% 27.3%
2064 26.2% 27.6%
2063 26.5% 27.8%
2062 26.8% 28.1%
2061 27.1% 28.4%
2060 27.4% 28.7%
2059 27.6% 29%
2058 27.9% 29.3%
2057 28.2% 29.6%
2056 28.5% 30%
2055 28.8% 30.3%
2054 29% 30.6%
2053 29.3% 31%
2052 29.6% 31.3%
2051 29.9% 31.7%
2050 30.2% 32%
2049 30.5% 32.4%
2048 30.8% 32.7%
2047 31.1% 33.1%
2046 31.5% 33.4%
2045 31.9% 33.7%
2044 32.2% 34%
2043 32.6% 34.2%
2042 33% 34.5%
2041 33.4% 34.7%
2040 33.8% 34.9%
2039 34.3% 35.2%
2038 34.7% 35.4%
2037 35.1% 35.7%
2036 35.6% 35.9%
2035 36% 36.2%
2034 36.5% 36.4%
2033 36.8% 36.6%
2032 37.2% 36.9%
2031 37.5% 37.2%
2030 37.7% 37.6%
2029 37.9% 38.1%
2028 38.2% 38.7%
2027 38.4% 39.3%
2026 38.6% 40%
2025 38.9% 40.6%
2024 39.1% 40.9%
2023 39.4% 41.3%
2022 39.7% 41.6%
2021 40.1% 41.9%
2020 40.5% 42.2%
2019 40.9% 42.5%
2018 41.3% 42.9%
2017 41.8% 43.3%
2016 42.3% 43.6%
2015 42.9% 43.8%
2014 43.4% 43.9%
2013 44% 43.9%
2012 44.6% 43.7%
2011 45.2% 43.4%
2010 45.7% 43%
2009 46.2% 42.7%
2008 46.6% 42.4%
2007 46.9% 42.1%
2006 47.2% 42%
2005 47.4% 41.9%
2004 47.6% 41.7%
2003 47.7% 41.5%
2002 47.8% 41.4%
2001 47.8% 41.5%
2000 47.7% 41.9%
1999 47.6% 42.4%
1998 47.4% 43.1%
1997 47.1% 44%
1996 46.9% 45%
1995 46.7% 45.9%
1994 46.5% 46.6%
1993 46.4% 47.1%
1992 46.2% 46.8%
1991 46.2% 46.6%
1990 46.2% 47.1%
1989 46.1% 47.6%
1988 46% 47.9%
1987 46% 47.9%
1986 46% 47.9%
1985 46.1% 48%
1984 46.2% 48.1%
1983 46.4% 48.2%
1982 46.5% 48.3%
1981 46.4% 48.4%
1980 46.3% 48.7%
1979 46.2% 48.8%
1978 46.1% 48.5%
1977 45.9% 48.3%
1976 45.7% 48.2%
1975 45.6% 48.1%
1974 45.4% 48.1%
1973 45.2% 48.1%
1972 44.9% 48.2%
1971 44.5% 48.2%
1970 44.2% 48.3%
1969 43.8% 48.4%
1968 43.5% 48.5%
1967 43.2% 48.5%
1966 42.9% 48.6%
1965 42.5% 48.7%
1964 42.3% 48.8%
1963 42.2% 48.5%
1962 42.1% 48.1%
1961 42.2% 47.7%
1960 42.2% 47.3%

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/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 39.1% of the population in Ethiopia and 40.9% in Zimbabwe in 2024, compared to 46.2% and 47.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Ethiopia and Zimbabwe compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Ethiopia vs Zimbabwe

Ethiopia
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2023 195 358
2022 207 368
2021 250 446
2020 244 380
2019 269 388
2018 297 386
2017 327 389
2016 364 411
2015 401 428
2014 444 468
2013 494 525
2012 545 558
2011 588 564
2010 619 567
2009 649 540
2008 678 526
2007 704 519
2006 729 480
2005 754 454
2004 764 451
2003 797 455
2002 826 418
2001 856 467
2000 870 405
1999 901 399
1998 911 368
1997 957 357
1996 1,008 352
1995 1,060 332
1994 1,113 332
1993 1,168 331
1992 1,218 333
1991 1,239 332
1990 1,320 353
1989 1,296 382
1988 1,306 431
1987 1,289 480
1986 1,317 525
1985 1,329 573

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 195 deaths per 100,000 live births in Ethiopia, compared to 358 deaths in Zimbabwe.

Under-five mortality rates

Ethiopia
Zimbabwe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Ethiopia Zimbabwe
2023 4.65% 4.42%
2022 4.82% 4.6%
2021 5% 4.76%
2020 5.2% 5.01%
2019 5.41% 5.11%
2018 5.64% 5.23%
2017 5.89% 5.5%
2016 6.17% 5.69%
2015 6.49% 5.98%
2014 6.82% 6.18%
2013 7.16% 6.55%
2012 7.53% 7.14%
2011 7.91% 7.88%
2010 8.32% 8.5%
2009 8.76% 9.03%
2008 9.23% 9.34%
2007 9.74% 9.47%
2006 10.3% 9.4%
2005 10.9% 9.23%
2004 11.5% 9.17%
2003 12.1% 8.85%
2002 12.8% 8.48%
2001 13.4% 9.79%
2000 14% 9.83%
1999 14.7% 9.92%
1998 15.3% 10%
1997 15.9% 10.1%
1996 16.6% 10%
1995 17.2% 9.83%
1994 17.9% 9.52%
1993 18.5% 9.16%
1992 19.1% 8.73%
1991 19.7% 8.33%
1990 20.2% 7.97%
1989 20.6% 7.69%
1988 21% 7.55%
1987 21.5% 7.61%
1986 29.7% 7.86%
1985 30.3% 8.31%
1984 31.4% 8.87%
1983 32% 9.5%
1982 23.5% 10.1%
1981 23.8% 10.7%
1980 24% 11.1%
1979 24.2% 11.3%
1978 24.4% 11.5%
1977 24.5% 11.5%
1976 24.5% 11.5%
1975 28.2% 11.4%
1974 28.3% 11.4%
1973 24.6% 11.4%
1972 24.7% 11.5%
1971 24.7% 11.5%
1970 24.7% 11.7%
1969 24.8% 11.8%
1968 24.8% 12.1%
1967 24.9% 12.4%
1966 27.8% 12.7%
1965 - 13.1%
1964 - 13.5%
1963 - 14%
1962 - 14.4%
1961 - 14.8%
1960 - 15.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ethiopia/zimbabwe | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.65% in Ethiopia and 4.42% in Zimbabwe. 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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