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Fertility & birth rates in Gabon and Netherlands

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has an annual birth rate of 27.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 9.2 for the Netherlands. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.65 in Gabon and 1.43 in the Netherlands — 60.8% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 17.5% in Gabon and by 54.2% in the Netherlands — in 1960, it was 4.42 and 3.12, respectively.

  • Gabon is ranked 42/196 by birth rate compared to 157/196 for the Netherlands.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.6 years in Gabon, compared to 30.4 years in the Netherlands.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.5 in Gabon — it's 31.9 in the Netherlands.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 91.7 in Gabon vs 1.86 in the Netherlands.
  • In Gabon, 24.6% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.7% in the Netherlands.

Fertility rate in Gabon vs Netherlands by year

Gabon
Netherlands
1x
Year Fertility rate
Gabon Netherlands
2023 3.65 1.43
2022 3.71 1.49
2021 3.78 1.62
2020 3.83 1.54
2019 3.88 1.57
2018 3.91 1.59
2017 3.91 1.62
2016 3.92 1.66
2015 3.92 1.66
2014 3.95 1.71
2013 4.02 1.68
2012 4.09 1.72
2011 4.15 1.76
2010 4.15 1.79
2009 4.14 1.79
2008 4.12 1.77
2007 4.14 1.72
2006 4.17 1.72
2005 4.21 1.71
2004 4.25 1.72
2003 4.3 1.75
2002 4.36 1.73
2001 4.42 1.71
2000 4.47 1.72
1999 4.5 1.65
1998 4.58 1.63
1997 4.66 1.56
1996 4.74 1.53
1995 4.88 1.53
1994 5.04 1.57
1993 5.19 1.57
1992 5.29 1.59
1991 5.37 1.61
1990 5.46 1.62
1989 5.55 1.55
1988 5.62 1.55
1987 5.67 1.56
1986 5.69 1.55
1985 5.71 1.51
1984 5.73 1.49
1983 5.76 1.47
1982 5.74 1.5
1981 5.73 1.56
1980 5.66 1.6
1979 5.61 1.56
1978 5.57 1.58
1977 5.52 1.58
1976 5.46 1.63
1975 5.39 1.66
1974 5.33 1.77
1973 5.29 1.9
1972 5.24 2.15
1971 5.16 2.36
1970 5.1 2.57
1969 5.05 2.75
1968 4.98 2.72
1967 4.92 2.81
1966 4.86 2.9
1965 4.79 3.04
1964 4.71 3.17
1963 4.65 3.19
1962 4.59 3.18
1961 4.5 3.22
1960 4.42 3.12

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Gabon was 3.65 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.43 in the Netherlands in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Gabon vs the Netherlands population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Gabon
Netherlands
1x
Year Natural population change
Gabon Netherlands
2023 53,167 -5,363
2022 52,944 -1,770
2021 52,611 7,014
2020 52,745 0
2019 53,185 17,345
2018 52,476 15,508
2017 51,455 18,844
2016 50,321 23,843
2015 48,876 23,716
2014 47,704 35,417
2013 46,829 30,248
2012 45,941 35,186
2011 44,922 45,072
2010 43,061 48,184
2009 41,037 51,244
2008 39,002 49,337
2007 37,394 49,145
2006 35,984 49,038
2005 34,766 50,592
2004 33,615 56,987
2003 32,633 58,411
2002 31,777 59,751
2001 30,941 62,580
2000 30,210 66,887
1999 29,330 60,086
1998 28,697 61,258
1997 28,053 56,198
1996 27,450 51,251
1995 27,290 54,106
1994 27,271 61,532
1993 27,235 58,103
1992 26,810 66,811
1991 26,334 69,321
1990 25,858 68,777
1989 25,359 59,396
1988 24,888 61,993
1987 24,212 64,526
1986 23,362 59,746
1985 22,617 55,069
1984 21,851 54,812
1983 21,162 51,722
1982 20,292 54,388
1981 19,528 62,688
1980 18,503 66,504
1979 17,553 63,172
1978 16,714 61,344
1977 15,842 63,739
1976 14,998 63,361
1975 14,162 64,232
1974 13,381 75,853
1973 12,731 84,668
1972 12,095 101,297
1971 11,357 116,112
1970 10,635 129,082
1969 9,969 139,082
1968 9,417 132,389
1967 8,883 138,580
1966 8,410 138,265
1965 7,902 146,308
1964 7,402 157,653
1963 7,001 154,361
1962 6,609 153,474
1961 6,161 159,450
1960 5,732 151,623

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | 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 +2.14% in Gabon and -0.03% in the Netherlands.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.31% in Gabon and +0.08% in the Netherlands.

Birth rate in Gabon vs Netherlands by year

Gabon
Netherlands

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Gabon Netherlands
2023 27.7 9.2
2022 28.3 9.5
2021 28.9 10.2
2020 29.5 9.7
2019 30.1 9.8
2018 30.5 9.8
2017 30.8 9.9
2016 31 10.1
2015 31.1 10.1
2014 31.4 10.4
2013 31.9 10.2
2012 32.5 10.5
2011 33 10.8
2010 33 11.1
2009 32.9 11.2
2008 32.6 11.2
2007 32.6 11.1
2006 32.6 11.3
2005 32.7 11.5
2004 32.7 11.9
2003 32.9 12.3
2002 33.1 12.5
2001 33.2 12.6
2000 33.4 13
1999 33.5 12.7
1998 33.7 12.7
1997 33.9 12.3
1996 34.1 12.2
1995 34.7 12.3
1994 35.5 12.7
1993 36.3 12.8
1992 36.7 13
1991 37.2 13.2
1990 37.6 13.2
1989 38 12.7
1988 38.5 12.6
1987 38.7 12.7
1986 38.7 12.7
1985 38.9 12.3
1984 39 12.1
1983 39.1 11.8
1982 39 12
1981 39 12.5
1980 38.6 12.8
1979 38.2 12.5
1978 38 12.6
1977 37.7 12.5
1976 37.3 12.9
1975 36.9 13
1974 36.5 13.7
1973 36.3 14.5
1972 36 16.1
1971 35.5 17.2
1970 35.1 18.3
1969 34.7 19.2
1968 34.4 18.6
1967 34.1 18.9
1966 33.8 19.2
1965 33.5 19.9
1964 33.1 20.7
1963 32.9 20.9
1962 32.6 20.9
1961 32.3 21.3
1960 31.9 20.8

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 27.7 in Gabon and 9.2 in the Netherlands, compared with 31.9 and 20.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Gabon Netherlands
Fertility rate 3.65 1.43
Fertility rate rank 40/196 159/196
Birth rate 27.7 9.2
Birth rate rank 42/196 157/196
Population change due to births and deaths +53,167 -5,363
Natural population change rank 91/196 168/196
Natural population change rate +2.14% -0.03%
Population growth +2.18% +0.65%
Population growth rank 44/197 121/197
Age at first childbirth 19.6 years 30.4 years
Average age at childbearing 28.5 years 31.9 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 86.8 1.61
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 160.7 48.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 51.8 18.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.6% 21.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.3% 75.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 89.3% 100%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.23% 0.004%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.68% 0.26%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.65% 0.35%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.32% 0.4%
Life expectancy 68.9 years 82.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Gabon
Factual

UN forecast
Netherlands
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Gabon Netherlands
2100 20.4% 13.2%
2099 20.5% 13.2%
2098 20.7% 13.2%
2097 20.8% 13.2%
2096 21% 13.2%
2095 21.1% 13.2%
2094 21.3% 13.2%
2093 21.4% 13.1%
2092 21.6% 13.1%
2091 21.7% 13.1%
2090 21.9% 13.1%
2089 22% 13.1%
2088 22.2% 13.1%
2087 22.4% 13.1%
2086 22.5% 13.1%
2085 22.7% 13.2%
2084 22.9% 13.2%
2083 23% 13.2%
2082 23.2% 13.2%
2081 23.3% 13.3%
2080 23.5% 13.3%
2079 23.7% 13.3%
2078 23.8% 13.4%
2077 24% 13.4%
2076 24.1% 13.4%
2075 24.3% 13.5%
2074 24.5% 13.5%
2073 24.6% 13.5%
2072 24.8% 13.5%
2071 25% 13.6%
2070 25.2% 13.6%
2069 25.4% 13.6%
2068 25.6% 13.6%
2067 25.8% 13.6%
2066 26% 13.6%
2065 26.2% 13.6%
2064 26.5% 13.6%
2063 26.7% 13.6%
2062 26.9% 13.6%
2061 27.2% 13.6%
2060 27.4% 13.5%
2059 27.7% 13.5%
2058 28% 13.5%
2057 28.2% 13.6%
2056 28.5% 13.6%
2055 28.7% 13.6%
2054 28.9% 13.6%
2053 29.1% 13.7%
2052 29.4% 13.7%
2051 29.6% 13.8%
2050 29.7% 13.9%
2049 29.9% 13.9%
2048 30.1% 14%
2047 30.2% 14.1%
2046 30.4% 14.2%
2045 30.6% 14.3%
2044 30.7% 14.3%
2043 30.9% 14.4%
2042 31% 14.5%
2041 31.2% 14.5%
2040 31.4% 14.6%
2039 31.7% 14.6%
2038 31.9% 14.6%
2037 32.2% 14.6%
2036 32.5% 14.7%
2035 32.9% 14.7%
2034 33.2% 14.7%
2033 33.6% 14.7%
2032 34% 14.7%
2031 34.4% 14.8%
2030 34.7% 14.8%
2029 35.1% 14.8%
2028 35.4% 14.8%
2027 35.8% 14.8%
2026 36.1% 14.9%
2025 36.4% 15%
2024 36.5% 15%
2023 36.7% 15.2%
2022 36.8% 15.4%
2021 36.8% 15.5%
2020 36.8% 15.6%
2019 36.8% 15.8%
2018 36.7% 16%
2017 36.6% 16.2%
2016 36.6% 16.4%
2015 36.6% 16.6%
2014 36.7% 16.9%
2013 36.8% 17.1%
2012 37% 17.3%
2011 37.1% 17.4%
2010 37.3% 17.6%
2009 37.6% 17.7%
2008 37.9% 17.9%
2007 38.2% 18.1%
2006 38.6% 18.3%
2005 39% 18.5%
2004 39.4% 18.6%
2003 39.7% 18.7%
2002 40.1% 18.8%
2001 40.5% 18.8%
2000 40.8% 18.8%
1999 41.2% 18.7%
1998 41.5% 18.6%
1997 41.8% 18.6%
1996 42% 18.6%
1995 42.3% 18.6%
1994 42.4% 18.6%
1993 42.5% 18.5%
1992 42.5% 18.5%
1991 42.5% 18.4%
1990 42.4% 18.4%
1989 42.3% 18.4%
1988 42.1% 18.5%
1987 41.9% 18.7%
1986 41.6% 19.1%
1985 41.4% 19.5%
1984 41% 20.1%
1983 40.7% 20.7%
1982 40.3% 21.3%
1981 39.9% 21.8%
1980 39.6% 22.3%
1979 39.2% 22.9%
1978 38.8% 23.5%
1977 38.4% 24.2%
1976 38% 24.8%
1975 37.6% 25.3%
1974 37.1% 25.9%
1973 36.7% 26.4%
1972 36.3% 26.8%
1971 35.8% 27.1%
1970 35.4% 27.3%
1969 35.1% 27.5%
1968 34.7% 27.6%
1967 34.3% 27.8%
1966 33.9% 28.1%
1965 33.5% 28.3%
1964 33% 28.5%
1963 32.6% 28.7%
1962 32.2% 29.1%
1961 31.8% 29.7%
1960 31.4% 30%

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/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.5% of the population in Gabon and 15% in the Netherlands in 2024, compared to 42.4% and 18.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Gabon and the Netherlands compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Gabon vs Netherlands

Gabon
Netherlands
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Gabon Netherlands
2023 233 4
2022 216 4
2021 249 5
2020 194 4
2019 179 5
2018 176 5
2017 184 5
2016 215 5
2015 239 5
2014 273 5
2013 235 6
2012 173 6
2011 149 7
2010 144 6
2009 158 7
2008 158 8
2007 173 8
2006 186 9
2005 175 10
2004 142 11
2003 134 12
2002 151 13
2001 160 13
2000 178 13
1999 216 13
1998 258 12
1997 290 13
1996 321 12
1995 341 12
1994 357 12
1993 364 12
1992 371 12
1991 369 12
1990 368 12
1989 366 12
1988 367 12
1987 366 12
1986 369 12
1985 373 12

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 233 deaths per 100,000 live births in Gabon, compared to 4 deaths in the Netherlands.

Under-five mortality rates

Gabon
Netherlands

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Gabon Netherlands
2023 3.32% 0.4%
2022 3.41% 0.4%
2021 3.52% 0.4%
2020 3.62% 0.4%
2019 3.8% 0.4%
2018 3.96% 0.4%
2017 4.1% 0.4%
2016 4.24% 0.41%
2015 4.42% 0.41%
2014 4.57% 0.41%
2013 4.73% 0.42%
2012 4.94% 0.42%
2011 5.14% 0.43%
2010 5.35% 0.44%
2009 5.57% 0.46%
2008 5.77% 0.47%
2007 5.99% 0.49%
2006 6.21% 0.51%
2005 6.39% 0.53%
2004 6.6% 0.55%
2003 6.81% 0.57%
2002 7.01% 0.59%
2001 7.19% 0.61%
2000 7.37% 0.62%
1999 7.53% 0.63%
1998 7.67% 0.64%
1997 7.79% 0.66%
1996 7.89% 0.67%
1995 7.98% 0.69%
1994 8.06% 0.71%
1993 8.14% 0.74%
1992 8.24% 0.77%
1991 8.35% 0.8%
1990 8.49% 0.83%
1989 8.64% 0.86%
1988 8.82% 0.89%
1987 9.03% 0.92%
1986 9.26% 0.95%
1985 9.52% 0.97%
1984 9.81% 0.99%
1983 10.1% 1.02%
1982 10.5% 1.04%
1981 10.8% 1.06%
1980 11.2% 1.09%
1979 11.6% 1.12%
1978 12% 1.16%
1977 12.4% 1.21%
1976 12.8% 1.26%
1975 13.3% 1.31%
1974 13.7% 1.36%
1973 14.2% 1.41%
1972 14.7% 1.47%
1971 15.2% 1.53%
1970 15.7% 1.58%
1969 16.2% 1.64%
1968 16.8% 1.69%
1967 17.4% 1.74%
1966 17.9% 1.79%
1965 18.6% 1.83%
1964 19.2% 1.88%
1963 19.8% 1.92%
1962 20.5% 1.97%
1961 21.2% 2.03%
1960 21.9% 2.08%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gabon/netherlands | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.32% in Gabon and 0.4% in the Netherlands. 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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