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Fertility & birth rates in Gambia and Iraq

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has an annual birth rate of 30.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 25.7 for Iraq. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.01 in the Gambia and 3.25 in Iraq — 18.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 35.9% in the Gambia and by 38.7% in Iraq — in 1960, it was 6.25 and 5.3, respectively.

  • The Gambia is ranked 30/196 by birth rate compared to 51/196 for Iraq.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.8 in the Gambia — it's 28.6 in Iraq.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58.1 in the Gambia vs 58 in Iraq.
  • In the Gambia, 24.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Iraq.

Fertility rate in Gambia vs Iraq by year

Gambia
Iraq
1x
Year Fertility rate
Gambia Iraq
2023 4.01 3.25
2022 4.08 3.29
2021 4.17 3.36
2020 4.25 3.42
2019 4.33 3.48
2018 4.42 3.55
2017 4.61 3.64
2016 4.81 3.84
2015 5 4.08
2014 5.2 4.31
2013 5.39 4.44
2012 5.52 4.54
2011 5.54 4.59
2010 5.56 4.46
2009 5.57 4.38
2008 5.63 4.37
2007 5.69 4.4
2006 5.74 4.46
2005 5.71 4.45
2004 5.68 4.53
2003 5.66 4.58
2002 5.66 4.67
2001 5.67 4.8
2000 5.72 4.92
1999 5.77 5.04
1998 5.82 5.11
1997 5.85 5.19
1996 5.93 5.25
1995 5.99 5.36
1994 6.04 5.49
1993 6.03 5.61
1992 6.11 5.72
1991 6.19 5.83
1990 6.25 5.93
1989 6.25 5.99
1988 6.26 6.05
1987 6.3 6.11
1986 6.34 6.18
1985 6.36 6.25
1984 6.39 6.32
1983 6.39 6.39
1982 6.4 6.46
1981 6.4 6.53
1980 6.41 6.59
1979 6.41 6.66
1978 6.42 6.73
1977 6.43 6.8
1976 6.43 6.86
1975 6.43 6.91
1974 6.42 6.95
1973 6.41 6.99
1972 6.37 7.02
1971 6.33 7.06
1970 6.26 7.07
1969 6.25 7.08
1968 6.22 7.06
1967 6.21 7.03
1966 6.18 7.02
1965 6.19 7.02
1964 6.2 7.01
1963 6.2 7.01
1962 6.21 6.99
1961 6.23 5.8
1960 6.25 5.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in the Gambia was 4.01 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.25 in Iraq in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the Gambia vs Iraq population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Gambia
Iraq
1x
Year Natural population change
Gambia Iraq
2023 65,118 973,420
2022 63,634 962,501
2021 62,239 941,924
2020 62,209 919,953
2019 61,701 942,972
2018 60,854 938,310
2017 61,665 924,507
2016 62,358 946,968
2015 62,832 1,007,561
2014 63,185 1,040,726
2013 63,510 1,026,036
2012 62,745 999,987
2011 60,571 971,082
2010 58,554 906,369
2009 56,575 855,096
2008 55,032 802,382
2007 53,653 784,119
2006 52,335 797,342
2005 50,010 776,603
2004 48,276 761,563
2003 46,473 746,159
2002 45,156 739,419
2001 44,154 729,704
2000 43,249 715,771
1999 42,533 702,170
1998 41,842 684,152
1997 40,742 667,582
1996 40,253 652,866
1995 39,681 642,977
1994 38,880 634,344
1993 37,302 606,700
1992 35,951 591,886
1991 34,584 550,146
1990 33,163 518,575
1989 31,504 496,852
1988 29,938 476,778
1987 28,452 488,742
1986 27,195 474,348
1985 25,795 467,445
1984 24,586 455,740
1983 23,175 439,800
1982 21,894 428,336
1981 20,156 416,998
1980 19,566 419,653
1979 18,543 428,458
1978 17,424 418,756
1977 16,773 410,229
1976 16,032 402,260
1975 15,256 385,916
1974 14,628 376,197
1973 14,046 373,191
1972 13,432 362,334
1971 12,842 351,464
1970 12,128 338,030
1969 11,670 324,792
1968 11,215 310,644
1967 10,823 298,192
1966 10,422 285,507
1965 10,162 274,551
1964 9,825 262,825
1963 9,493 254,046
1962 9,150 247,520
1961 8,778 184,792
1960 8,420 155,651

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | 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 +2.41% in the Gambia and +2.16% in Iraq.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.59% in the Gambia and +2.37% in Iraq.

Birth rate in Gambia vs Iraq by year

Gambia
Iraq

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Gambia Iraq
2023 30.4 25.7
2022 30.8 26
2021 31.2 26.4
2020 31.5 26.8
2019 31.9 27.3
2018 32.3 27.7
2017 33.5 28.3
2016 34.6 29.8
2015 35.7 31.6
2014 36.9 33.3
2013 38.1 34.1
2012 38.8 34.8
2011 38.8 35.5
2010 38.9 34.6
2009 38.9 33.9
2008 39.2 33.6
2007 39.5 34.5
2006 39.9 35
2005 39.7 33.9
2004 39.7 34.3
2003 39.7 34.5
2002 40 34.8
2001 40.5 35.5
2000 41.1 36.1
1999 41.8 36.7
1998 42.5 37
1997 43.2 37.3
1996 44.1 37.5
1995 45.1 38
1994 45.9 38.6
1993 46.1 38.6
1992 46.6 39.5
1991 47.2 40
1990 47.7 40.6
1989 47.9 39.6
1988 48.1 39.4
1987 48.5 39
1986 48.8 39
1985 49 39.5
1984 49.3 39.6
1983 49 39.6
1982 48.8 39.9
1981 48.5 40.2
1980 48.2 40.5
1979 47.8 41
1978 47.6 41.4
1977 47.5 42.1
1976 47.4 42.8
1975 47.3 43.4
1974 47.3 44
1973 47.5 44.4
1972 47.5 44.9
1971 47.6 45.4
1970 47.4 45.6
1969 47.6 45.9
1968 47.9 46
1967 48.2 46.1
1966 48.5 46.4
1965 49 46.7
1964 49.4 47.1
1963 49.8 47.5
1962 50 47.9
1961 50.3 40
1960 50.4 36.7

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30.4 in the Gambia and 25.7 in Iraq, compared with 50.4 and 36.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Gambia Iraq
Fertility rate 4.01 3.25
Fertility rate rank 26/196 49/196
Birth rate 30.4 25.7
Birth rate rank 30/196 51/196
Population change due to births and deaths +65,118 +973,420
Natural population change rank 88/196 20/196
Natural population change rate +2.41% +2.16%
Population growth +2.3% +2.15%
Population growth rank 37/197 46/197
Age at first childbirth 20.7 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 29.8 years 28.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 52.8 56
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 170.7 162.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 67.5 44.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.5% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.1% 36.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 83.8% 95.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.35% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.37% 1.29%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.38% 2.08%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.41% 2.26%
Life expectancy 66.5 years 72.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Gambia Iraq
2100 18.1% 18.2%
2099 18.2% 18.3%
2098 18.3% 18.4%
2097 18.4% 18.5%
2096 18.5% 18.6%
2095 18.6% 18.8%
2094 18.7% 18.9%
2093 18.9% 19%
2092 19% 19.1%
2091 19.1% 19.2%
2090 19.3% 19.4%
2089 19.4% 19.5%
2088 19.6% 19.7%
2087 19.7% 19.8%
2086 19.9% 19.9%
2085 20% 20.1%
2084 20.2% 20.3%
2083 20.3% 20.4%
2082 20.5% 20.6%
2081 20.6% 20.8%
2080 20.8% 20.9%
2079 21% 21.1%
2078 21.2% 21.3%
2077 21.3% 21.5%
2076 21.5% 21.6%
2075 21.7% 21.8%
2074 21.9% 22%
2073 22.1% 22.2%
2072 22.3% 22.3%
2071 22.6% 22.5%
2070 22.8% 22.7%
2069 23% 22.8%
2068 23.2% 23%
2067 23.5% 23.2%
2066 23.7% 23.4%
2065 24% 23.6%
2064 24.3% 23.8%
2063 24.5% 24%
2062 24.8% 24.2%
2061 25.1% 24.4%
2060 25.4% 24.6%
2059 25.7% 24.9%
2058 26% 25.1%
2057 26.3% 25.4%
2056 26.7% 25.7%
2055 27% 26%
2054 27.3% 26.3%
2053 27.6% 26.6%
2052 28% 26.9%
2051 28.3% 27.2%
2050 28.6% 27.5%
2049 28.9% 27.8%
2048 29.3% 28.1%
2047 29.6% 28.4%
2046 30% 28.7%
2045 30.3% 29%
2044 30.7% 29.3%
2043 31.1% 29.5%
2042 31.5% 29.8%
2041 31.9% 30%
2040 32.3% 30.3%
2039 32.7% 30.5%
2038 33.2% 30.7%
2037 33.6% 31%
2036 34.1% 31.2%
2035 34.5% 31.5%
2034 35% 31.7%
2033 35.4% 32%
2032 35.9% 32.3%
2031 36.4% 32.7%
2030 37% 33.2%
2029 37.6% 33.7%
2028 38.2% 34.4%
2027 38.9% 35.1%
2026 39.5% 35.7%
2025 40% 36.3%
2024 40.2% 36.6%
2023 40.7% 37.1%
2022 41.2% 37.6%
2021 41.6% 38.1%
2020 42% 38.5%
2019 42.4% 38.9%
2018 42.8% 39.3%
2017 43.1% 39.7%
2016 43.3% 40.1%
2015 43.6% 40.4%
2014 43.7% 40.6%
2013 43.9% 40.8%
2012 44.1% 41%
2011 44.3% 41.1%
2010 44.5% 41.2%
2009 44.8% 41.5%
2008 45.1% 41.8%
2007 45.3% 42.1%
2006 45.6% 42.3%
2005 45.9% 42.6%
2004 46.1% 42.9%
2003 46.4% 43.1%
2002 46.6% 43.3%
2001 46.7% 43.5%
2000 46.8% 43.7%
1999 46.9% 43.8%
1998 46.9% 44%
1997 46.9% 44.1%
1996 46.7% 44.3%
1995 46.5% 44.4%
1994 46.3% 44.6%
1993 46% 44.7%
1992 45.9% 44.9%
1991 45.8% 45%
1990 45.7% 45.2%
1989 45.6% 45.4%
1988 45.5% 45.6%
1987 45.4% 45.8%
1986 45.2% 46%
1985 45% 46.2%
1984 44.9% 46.3%
1983 44.6% 46.5%
1982 44.3% 46.6%
1981 44% 46.7%
1980 43.7% 46.8%
1979 43.5% 47%
1978 43.3% 47.1%
1977 43% 47.3%
1976 42.8% 47.2%
1975 42.6% 46.7%
1974 42.4% 46.2%
1973 42.3% 45.5%
1972 42.2% 44.7%
1971 42.1% 44.1%
1970 42% 43.6%
1969 41.9% 43.3%
1968 41.8% 43%
1967 41.6% 42.8%
1966 41.5% 42.5%
1965 41.3% 42.1%
1964 41% 41.5%
1963 40.8% 41%
1962 40.7% 40.4%
1961 40.8% 39.9%
1960 41% 39.8%

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/gambia/iraq | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.2% of the population in the Gambia and 36.6% in Iraq in 2024, compared to 45.7% and 45.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Gambia and Iraq compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Gambia vs Iraq

Gambia
Iraq
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Gambia Iraq
2023 354 66
2022 365 59
2021 420 77
2020 400 63
2019 422 74
2018 450 76
2017 469 81
2016 490 87
2015 527 86
2014 561 90
2013 606 96
2012 628 100
2011 634 105
2010 632 107
2009 634 107
2008 653 109
2007 675 117
2006 682 120
2005 707 118
2004 719 122
2003 749 125
2002 772 128
2001 794 137
2000 810 146
1999 830 156
1998 867 163
1997 928 165
1996 956 158
1995 999 152
1994 1,039 142
1993 1,072 132
1992 1,115 126
1991 1,167 157
1990 1,207 195
1989 1,258 190
1988 1,302 174
1987 1,360 145
1986 1,401 147
1985 1,454 152

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 354 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Gambia, compared to 66 deaths in Iraq.

Under-five mortality rates

Gambia
Iraq

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Gambia Iraq
2023 4.41% 2.26%
2022 4.56% 2.33%
2021 4.72% 2.41%
2020 4.89% 2.49%
2019 5.07% 2.57%
2018 5.27% 2.66%
2017 5.47% 2.75%
2016 5.7% 2.84%
2015 5.93% 2.94%
2014 6.18% 3.04%
2013 6.45% 3.14%
2012 6.73% 3.24%
2011 7.01% 3.35%
2010 7.31% 3.46%
2009 7.64% 3.56%
2008 7.98% 3.67%
2007 8.33% 3.78%
2006 8.71% 3.88%
2005 9.11% 3.97%
2004 9.52% 4.07%
2003 9.95% 4.16%
2002 10.4% 4.24%
2001 10.9% 4.33%
2000 11.3% 4.43%
1999 11.8% 4.52%
1998 12.3% 4.61%
1997 12.8% 4.71%
1996 13.3% 4.8%
1995 13.9% 4.89%
1994 14.4% 4.98%
1993 14.9% 5.07%
1992 15.5% 5.17%
1991 16% 6.49%
1990 16.6% 7.97%
1989 17.2% 8.12%
1988 17.8% 6.92%
1987 18.4% 5.75%
1986 19.1% 5.91%
1985 19.7% 6.09%
1984 20.4% 6.28%
1983 21% 6.49%
1982 21.7% 6.71%
1981 22.3% 6.96%
1980 23% 7.23%
1979 23.6% 7.52%
1978 24.2% 7.83%
1977 24.9% 8.17%
1976 25.5% 8.54%
1975 26.2% 8.93%
1974 26.9% 9.35%
1973 27.5% 9.79%
1972 28.2% 10.3%
1971 28.9% 10.7%
1970 29.5% 11.2%
1969 30.2% 11.8%
1968 30.9% 12.4%
1967 31.5% 13%
1966 32.1% 13.6%
1965 32.8% 14.4%
1964 33.5% 15.1%
1963 34.1% 16%
1962 34.8% 16.9%
1961 35.5% 17.9%
1960 36.2% 19%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/iraq | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.41% in the Gambia and 2.26% in Iraq. 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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