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Fertility & birth rates in Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has an annual birth rate of 30.4 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 4.01 in the Gambia and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 9.04% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 35.9% in the Gambia and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 6.25 and 6.24, respectively.

  • The Gambia is ranked 30/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.7 years in the Gambia, compared to 19.4 years in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.8 in the Gambia — 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 58.1 in the Gambia vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In the Gambia, 24.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Gambia vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Gambia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Gambia Sao Tome
2023 4.01 3.64
2022 4.08 3.7
2021 4.17 3.76
2020 4.25 3.83
2019 4.33 3.9
2018 4.42 3.98
2017 4.61 4.07
2016 4.81 4.2
2015 5 4.35
2014 5.2 4.49
2013 5.39 4.58
2012 5.52 4.66
2011 5.54 4.72
2010 5.56 4.77
2009 5.57 4.84
2008 5.63 4.91
2007 5.69 4.96
2006 5.74 4.93
2005 5.71 4.94
2004 5.68 4.96
2003 5.66 5.01
2002 5.66 5.06
2001 5.67 5.1
2000 5.72 5.16
1999 5.77 5.23
1998 5.82 5.3
1997 5.85 5.4
1996 5.93 5.47
1995 5.99 5.55
1994 6.04 5.56
1993 6.03 5.64
1992 6.11 5.7
1991 6.19 5.77
1990 6.25 5.83
1989 6.25 5.88
1988 6.26 5.94
1987 6.3 5.99
1986 6.34 6.05
1985 6.36 6.1
1984 6.39 6.16
1983 6.39 6.22
1982 6.4 6.28
1981 6.4 6.33
1980 6.41 6.39
1979 6.41 6.43
1978 6.42 6.47
1977 6.43 6.5
1976 6.43 6.52
1975 6.43 6.53
1974 6.42 6.53
1973 6.41 6.53
1972 6.37 6.51
1971 6.33 6.49
1970 6.26 6.47
1969 6.25 6.44
1968 6.22 6.42
1967 6.21 6.39
1966 6.18 6.37
1965 6.19 6.35
1964 6.2 6.33
1963 6.2 6.31
1962 6.21 6.28
1961 6.23 6.26
1960 6.25 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the Gambia vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Gambia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Gambia Sao Tome
2023 65,118 5,221
2022 63,634 5,102
2021 62,239 4,954
2020 62,209 4,874
2019 61,701 4,932
2018 60,854 4,957
2017 61,665 5,007
2016 62,358 5,125
2015 62,832 5,269
2014 63,185 5,381
2013 63,510 5,449
2012 62,745 5,501
2011 60,571 5,445
2010 58,554 5,391
2009 56,575 5,349
2008 55,032 5,297
2007 53,653 5,226
2006 52,335 5,057
2005 50,010 4,897
2004 48,276 4,810
2003 46,473 4,702
2002 45,156 4,591
2001 44,154 4,471
2000 43,249 4,334
1999 42,533 4,221
1998 41,842 4,120
1997 40,742 4,041
1996 40,253 3,993
1995 39,681 3,948
1994 38,880 3,860
1993 37,302 3,841
1992 35,951 3,822
1991 34,584 3,801
1990 33,163 3,719
1989 31,504 3,576
1988 29,938 3,544
1987 28,452 3,440
1986 27,195 3,180
1985 25,795 3,242
1984 24,586 3,163
1983 23,175 3,100
1982 21,894 3,047
1981 20,156 3,015
1980 19,566 2,965
1979 18,543 2,893
1978 17,424 2,800
1977 16,773 2,705
1976 16,032 2,608
1975 15,256 2,515
1974 14,628 2,422
1973 14,046 2,329
1972 13,432 2,232
1971 12,842 2,127
1970 12,128 1,980
1969 11,670 1,862
1968 11,215 1,767
1967 10,823 1,693
1966 10,422 1,642
1965 10,162 1,611
1964 9,825 1,600
1963 9,493 1,609
1962 9,150 1,625
1961 8,778 1,657
1960 8,420 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/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 +2.41% in the Gambia and +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.59% in the Gambia and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Gambia vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Gambia
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Gambia Sao Tome
2023 30.4 28.2
2022 30.8 28.3
2021 31.2 28.5
2020 31.5 28.6
2019 31.9 29.2
2018 32.3 29.8
2017 33.5 30.6
2016 34.6 31.7
2015 35.7 33
2014 36.9 34.3
2013 38.1 35.4
2012 38.8 36.4
2011 38.8 36.8
2010 38.9 37.3
2009 38.9 37.9
2008 39.2 38.5
2007 39.5 38.9
2006 39.9 38.9
2005 39.7 39
2004 39.7 39.2
2003 39.7 39.6
2002 40 39.8
2001 40.5 40
2000 41.1 39.7
1999 41.8 39.4
1998 42.5 39.2
1997 43.2 39.2
1996 44.1 39.3
1995 45.1 39.5
1994 45.9 39.4
1993 46.1 39.8
1992 46.6 40.2
1991 47.2 40.7
1990 47.7 40.7
1989 47.9 40.9
1988 48.1 40.9
1987 48.5 41
1986 48.8 41
1985 49 41
1984 49.3 41.1
1983 49 41.2
1982 48.8 41.3
1981 48.5 41.5
1980 48.2 41.6
1979 47.8 41.6
1978 47.6 41.4
1977 47.5 41.3
1976 47.4 41.1
1975 47.3 40.9
1974 47.3 40.6
1973 47.5 40.3
1972 47.5 39.9
1971 47.6 39.5
1970 47.4 38.8
1969 47.6 38.2
1968 47.9 37.8
1967 48.2 37.7
1966 48.5 38
1965 49 38.6
1964 49.4 39.7
1963 49.8 41.1
1962 50 42.7
1961 50.3 44.6
1960 50.4 44.6

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30.4 in the Gambia and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 50.4 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Gambia Sao Tome
Fertility rate 4.01 3.64
Fertility rate rank 26/196 41/196
Birth rate 30.4 28.2
Birth rate rank 30/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +65,118 +5,221
Natural population change rank 88/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +2.41% +2.26%
Population growth +2.3% +2.02%
Population growth rank 37/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth 20.7 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 29.8 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 52.8 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 170.7 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 67.5 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.5% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 17.1% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 83.8% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.35% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.37% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.38% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.41% 1.39%
Life expectancy 66.5 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Gambia
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Gambia Sao Tome
2100 18.1% 19.5%
2099 18.2% 19.6%
2098 18.3% 19.8%
2097 18.4% 19.9%
2096 18.5% 20%
2095 18.6% 20.2%
2094 18.7% 20.3%
2093 18.9% 20.4%
2092 19% 20.6%
2091 19.1% 20.7%
2090 19.3% 20.9%
2089 19.4% 21.1%
2088 19.6% 21.2%
2087 19.7% 21.4%
2086 19.9% 21.6%
2085 20% 21.8%
2084 20.2% 22%
2083 20.3% 22.2%
2082 20.5% 22.4%
2081 20.6% 22.6%
2080 20.8% 22.9%
2079 21% 23.1%
2078 21.2% 23.3%
2077 21.3% 23.5%
2076 21.5% 23.7%
2075 21.7% 24%
2074 21.9% 24.2%
2073 22.1% 24.4%
2072 22.3% 24.6%
2071 22.6% 24.8%
2070 22.8% 25%
2069 23% 25.2%
2068 23.2% 25.4%
2067 23.5% 25.6%
2066 23.7% 25.9%
2065 24% 26.1%
2064 24.3% 26.3%
2063 24.5% 26.5%
2062 24.8% 26.8%
2061 25.1% 27%
2060 25.4% 27.3%
2059 25.7% 27.5%
2058 26% 27.8%
2057 26.3% 28.1%
2056 26.7% 28.4%
2055 27% 28.7%
2054 27.3% 29%
2053 27.6% 29.4%
2052 28% 29.7%
2051 28.3% 30.1%
2050 28.6% 30.4%
2049 28.9% 30.8%
2048 29.3% 31.1%
2047 29.6% 31.5%
2046 30% 31.8%
2045 30.3% 32.1%
2044 30.7% 32.5%
2043 31.1% 32.8%
2042 31.5% 33.1%
2041 31.9% 33.4%
2040 32.3% 33.6%
2039 32.7% 33.9%
2038 33.2% 34.1%
2037 33.6% 34.4%
2036 34.1% 34.6%
2035 34.5% 34.7%
2034 35% 34.9%
2033 35.4% 35.1%
2032 35.9% 35.3%
2031 36.4% 35.5%
2030 37% 35.8%
2029 37.6% 36.1%
2028 38.2% 36.6%
2027 38.9% 37%
2026 39.5% 37.3%
2025 40% 37.6%
2024 40.2% 37.8%
2023 40.7% 38.3%
2022 41.2% 38.8%
2021 41.6% 39.4%
2020 42% 39.9%
2019 42.4% 40.5%
2018 42.8% 40.9%
2017 43.1% 41.4%
2016 43.3% 41.7%
2015 43.6% 41.9%
2014 43.7% 42%
2013 43.9% 42%
2012 44.1% 42%
2011 44.3% 42%
2010 44.5% 42.1%
2009 44.8% 42.1%
2008 45.1% 42.1%
2007 45.3% 42%
2006 45.6% 42%
2005 45.9% 42%
2004 46.1% 42.1%
2003 46.4% 42.2%
2002 46.6% 42.3%
2001 46.7% 42.5%
2000 46.8% 42.8%
1999 46.9% 43.4%
1998 46.9% 43.9%
1997 46.9% 44.3%
1996 46.7% 44.7%
1995 46.5% 44.9%
1994 46.3% 45.1%
1993 46% 45.2%
1992 45.9% 45.2%
1991 45.8% 45.1%
1990 45.7% 45.1%
1989 45.6% 45%
1988 45.5% 45%
1987 45.4% 44.9%
1986 45.2% 44.7%
1985 45% 44.5%
1984 44.9% 44.4%
1983 44.6% 44.5%
1982 44.3% 44.5%
1981 44% 44.7%
1980 43.7% 44.9%
1979 43.5% 45.1%
1978 43.3% 45.2%
1977 43% 45.3%
1976 42.8% 45.4%
1975 42.6% 45.5%
1974 42.4% 45.6%
1973 42.3% 45.7%
1972 42.2% 45.9%
1971 42.1% 46.1%
1970 42% 46.2%
1969 41.9% 45.8%
1968 41.8% 44.9%
1967 41.6% 44%
1966 41.5% 42.9%
1965 41.3% 41.6%
1964 41% 40.2%
1963 40.8% 38.5%
1962 40.7% 36.6%
1961 40.8% 34.3%
1960 41% 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/gambia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.2% of the population in the Gambia and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 45.7% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Gambia 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/gambia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Gambia vs Sao Tome and Principe

Gambia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Gambia Sao Tome
2023 354 75
2022 365 82
2021 420 98
2020 400 92
2019 422 95
2018 450 100
2017 469 110
2016 490 119
2015 527 128
2014 561 138
2013 606 150
2012 628 158
2011 634 164
2010 632 170
2009 634 172
2008 653 174
2007 675 174
2006 682 177
2005 707 181
2004 719 177
2003 749 178
2002 772 179
2001 794 178
2000 810 180
1999 830 179
1998 867 175
1997 928 173
1996 956 171
1995 999 172
1994 1,039 168
1993 1,072 166
1992 1,115 164
1991 1,167 166
1990 1,207 164
1989 1,258 167
1988 1,302 157
1987 1,360 161
1986 1,401 175
1985 1,454 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/gambia/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 354 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Gambia, compared to 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Gambia
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Gambia Sao Tome
2023 4.41% 1.39%
2022 4.56% 1.46%
2021 4.72% 1.53%
2020 4.89% 1.6%
2019 5.07% 1.7%
2018 5.27% 1.81%
2017 5.47% 1.95%
2016 5.7% 2.11%
2015 5.93% 2.31%
2014 6.18% 2.54%
2013 6.45% 2.77%
2012 6.73% 3.04%
2011 7.01% 3.33%
2010 7.31% 3.63%
2009 7.64% 3.95%
2008 7.98% 4.3%
2007 8.33% 4.68%
2006 8.71% 5.11%
2005 9.11% 5.56%
2004 9.52% 6.05%
2003 9.95% 6.57%
2002 10.4% 7.1%
2001 10.9% 7.66%
2000 11.3% 8.21%
1999 11.8% 8.76%
1998 12.3% 9.26%
1997 12.8% 9.73%
1996 13.3% 10.1%
1995 13.9% 10.4%
1994 14.4% 10.7%
1993 14.9% 10.8%
1992 15.5% 10.9%
1991 16% 10.9%
1990 16.6% 10.8%
1989 17.2% 10.7%
1988 17.8% 10.6%
1987 18.4% 10.4%
1986 19.1% 11.4%
1985 19.7% 9.99%
1984 20.4% 9.77%
1983 21% 9.56%
1982 21.7% 9.37%
1981 22.3% 9.21%
1980 23% 9.1%
1979 23.6% 9.02%
1978 24.2% 8.96%
1977 24.9% 8.93%
1976 25.5% 8.89%
1975 26.2% 8.85%
1974 26.9% 8.79%
1973 27.5% 8.73%
1972 28.2% 8.67%
1971 28.9% 8.63%
1970 29.5% 8.64%
1969 30.2% 8.71%
1968 30.9% 8.85%
1967 31.5% 9.04%
1966 32.1% 9.29%
1965 32.8% 9.56%
1964 33.5% -
1963 34.1% -
1962 34.8% -
1961 35.5% -
1960 36.2% -

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.41% in the Gambia 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) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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