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Fertility & birth rates in Ghana and North Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has an annual birth rate of 26.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 12.9 for North Korea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.4 in Ghana and 1.78 in North Korea — 47.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.7% in Ghana and by 50.1% in North Korea — in 1960, it was 6.89 and 3.57, respectively.

  • Ghana is ranked 47/196 by birth rate compared to 109/196 for North Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.4 in Ghana — it's 28.8 in North Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58.2 in Ghana vs 0.51 in North Korea.
  • In Ghana, 25.6% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.3% in North Korea.

Fertility rate in Ghana vs North Korea by year

Ghana
North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ghana North Korea
2023 3.4 1.78
2022 3.43 1.8
2021 3.49 1.81
2020 3.54 1.82
2019 3.59 1.83
2018 3.65 1.83
2017 3.72 1.85
2016 3.87 1.86
2015 3.98 1.86
2014 4.03 1.87
2013 4.11 1.88
2012 4.15 1.88
2011 4.18 1.88
2010 4.18 1.89
2009 4.18 1.91
2008 4.22 1.97
2007 4.29 1.94
2006 4.4 1.94
2005 4.5 1.87
2004 4.5 1.9
2003 4.6 1.91
2002 4.69 1.92
2001 4.77 1.94
2000 4.83 1.94
1999 4.82 1.97
1998 4.83 1.99
1997 4.88 2.03
1996 4.96 2.09
1995 5.11 2.15
1994 5.25 2.18
1993 5.41 2.22
1992 5.52 2.29
1991 5.63 2.35
1990 5.74 2.39
1989 5.82 2.41
1988 5.92 2.47
1987 6.02 2.53
1986 6.08 2.59
1985 6.12 2.65
1984 6.15 2.71
1983 6.23 2.78
1982 6.31 2.85
1981 6.42 2.92
1980 6.47 2.84
1979 6.51 2.85
1978 6.56 2.79
1977 6.64 2.77
1976 6.7 2.84
1975 6.76 3.05
1974 6.82 3.14
1973 6.87 3.35
1972 6.92 3.89
1971 6.95 3.74
1970 6.95 3.85
1969 6.95 3.86
1968 6.89 3.87
1967 6.89 4.05
1966 6.86 3.71
1965 6.88 3.56
1964 6.9 3.55
1963 6.94 3.63
1962 6.94 3.41
1961 6.91 3.26
1960 6.89 3.57

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Ghana was 3.4 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.78 in North Korea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Ghana vs North Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Ghana
North Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Ghana North Korea
2023 651,094 86,203
2022 646,441 96,495
2021 635,805 99,710
2020 637,469 95,920
2019 642,403 106,208
2018 641,551 113,164
2017 641,218 120,181
2016 659,910 125,048
2015 667,729 127,365
2014 660,829 127,078
2013 658,638 122,519
2012 646,595 118,773
2011 631,501 114,798
2010 613,133 112,443
2009 592,825 111,530
2008 579,695 122,015
2007 572,332 120,521
2006 569,474 129,171
2005 563,234 132,765
2004 543,339 155,838
2003 536,656 178,775
2002 528,620 119,504
2001 519,382 143,321
2000 508,738 161,591
1999 487,210 181,613
1998 471,313 197,589
1997 459,822 211,325
1996 450,259 226,095
1995 451,748 233,381
1994 449,589 320,861
1993 454,669 320,880
1992 452,156 324,002
1991 448,159 320,551
1990 442,211 312,460
1989 432,541 303,078
1988 425,031 299,305
1987 419,328 296,030
1986 411,191 293,227
1985 401,722 287,714
1984 392,053 282,987
1983 379,846 279,046
1982 369,061 276,332
1981 359,572 273,800
1980 346,816 255,206
1979 334,848 251,409
1978 324,428 243,533
1977 315,429 242,870
1976 305,769 255,841
1975 298,267 288,966
1974 290,796 306,902
1973 283,385 338,600
1972 275,236 411,997
1971 265,442 393,220
1970 257,938 406,129
1969 251,925 404,189
1968 242,821 399,837
1967 237,156 414,632
1966 231,440 363,882
1965 229,061 335,587
1964 226,685 323,623
1963 225,367 321,805
1962 223,842 286,534
1961 222,372 257,788
1960 217,134 277,717

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | 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 +1.93% in Ghana and +0.33% in North Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.1% in Ghana and +0.42% in North Korea.

Birth rate in Ghana vs North Korea by year

Ghana
North Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Ghana North Korea
2023 26.3 12.9
2022 26.6 13.1
2021 27 13.3
2020 27.4 13.4
2019 27.9 13.4
2018 28.4 13.4
2017 28.9 13.5
2016 30.2 13.5
2015 31.1 13.4
2014 31.5 13.4
2013 32.2 13.4
2012 32.5 13.3
2011 32.7 13.3
2010 32.7 13.3
2009 32.6 13.4
2008 32.8 13.9
2007 33.2 13.9
2006 33.9 14
2005 34.4 13.9
2004 34.3 14.6
2003 34.8 15.3
2002 35.2 16.1
2001 35.6 16.9
2000 35.9 17.5
1999 35.6 18.3
1998 35.5 18.9
1997 35.6 19.4
1996 35.8 20
1995 36.7 20.3
1994 37.5 20.4
1993 38.5 20.4
1992 39.2 20.5
1991 39.9 20.6
1990 40.5 20.5
1989 40.9 20.2
1988 41.5 20.2
1987 42.2 20.3
1986 42.7 20.4
1985 43.1 20.4
1984 43.4 20.4
1983 43.4 20.5
1982 43.6 20.6
1981 43.9 20.8
1980 44.1 20.1
1979 44 20.2
1978 44.1 20.1
1977 44.4 20.4
1976 44.7 21.5
1975 45.3 23.9
1974 45.9 25.6
1973 46.4 28.2
1972 46.9 33.7
1971 47.4 33.4
1970 47.7 35.3
1969 47.9 36.2
1968 47.7 37.1
1967 47.7 39.3
1966 47.8 36.6
1965 48.2 35.4
1964 48.7 35.4
1963 49.2 36.1
1962 49.7 34
1961 50 32.3
1960 50.4 34.8

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 26.3 in Ghana and 12.9 in North Korea, compared with 50.4 and 34.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Ghana North Korea
Fertility rate 3.4 1.78
Fertility rate rank 46/196 112/196
Birth rate 26.3 12.9
Birth rate rank 47/196 109/196
Population change due to births and deaths +651,094 +86,203
Natural population change rank 30/196 83/196
Natural population change rate +1.93% +0.33%
Population growth +1.89% +0.31%
Population growth rank 57/197 150/197
Age at first childbirth 22.1 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 29.4 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56.3 0.49
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 148.6 120.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 52.5 13.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.6% 23.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 27.8% 68.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 78.9% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.23% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.12% 0.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.82% 1.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.71% 1.8%
Life expectancy 66.1 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Ghana
Factual

UN forecast
North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Ghana North Korea
2100 19.3% 13%
2099 19.5% 13.1%
2098 19.6% 13.2%
2097 19.7% 13.3%
2096 19.8% 13.4%
2095 20% 13.4%
2094 20.1% 13.5%
2093 20.2% 13.6%
2092 20.4% 13.7%
2091 20.5% 13.8%
2090 20.7% 13.8%
2089 20.8% 13.8%
2088 21% 13.9%
2087 21.1% 13.9%
2086 21.3% 13.9%
2085 21.4% 13.8%
2084 21.6% 13.8%
2083 21.7% 13.8%
2082 21.9% 13.7%
2081 22.1% 13.7%
2080 22.2% 13.7%
2079 22.4% 13.6%
2078 22.5% 13.6%
2077 22.7% 13.6%
2076 22.9% 13.6%
2075 23% 13.7%
2074 23.2% 13.7%
2073 23.4% 13.8%
2072 23.5% 13.8%
2071 23.7% 14%
2070 23.9% 14.1%
2069 24.1% 14.2%
2068 24.2% 14.3%
2067 24.4% 14.5%
2066 24.6% 14.6%
2065 24.8% 14.8%
2064 25.1% 14.9%
2063 25.3% 15%
2062 25.5% 15.1%
2061 25.7% 15.2%
2060 26% 15.3%
2059 26.2% 15.4%
2058 26.4% 15.4%
2057 26.7% 15.4%
2056 26.9% 15.4%
2055 27.2% 15.4%
2054 27.4% 15.4%
2053 27.7% 15.3%
2052 27.9% 15.3%
2051 28.2% 15.2%
2050 28.4% 15.2%
2049 28.6% 15.2%
2048 28.9% 15.2%
2047 29.1% 15.2%
2046 29.3% 15.3%
2045 29.5% 15.3%
2044 29.7% 15.5%
2043 29.9% 15.6%
2042 30.2% 15.8%
2041 30.4% 16%
2040 30.6% 16.2%
2039 30.8% 16.5%
2038 31% 16.7%
2037 31.3% 17%
2036 31.5% 17.2%
2035 31.8% 17.5%
2034 32% 17.8%
2033 32.3% 18%
2032 32.7% 18.2%
2031 33% 18.4%
2030 33.5% 18.6%
2029 33.9% 18.7%
2028 34.3% 18.8%
2027 34.8% 18.9%
2026 35.2% 18.9%
2025 35.6% 18.9%
2024 35.8% 18.9%
2023 36.2% 19%
2022 36.5% 19%
2021 36.9% 19.1%
2020 37.2% 19.1%
2019 37.6% 19.1%
2018 37.8% 19.2%
2017 38.1% 19.4%
2016 38.4% 19.6%
2015 38.6% 19.8%
2014 38.8% 20.1%
2013 38.9% 20.4%
2012 38.9% 20.8%
2011 39% 21.2%
2010 39.1% 21.6%
2009 39.3% 22.1%
2008 39.5% 22.5%
2007 39.8% 23%
2006 40.1% 23.4%
2005 40.4% 23.9%
2004 40.7% 24.3%
2003 41.1% 24.6%
2002 41.5% 25%
2001 41.9% 25.3%
2000 42.3% 25.6%
1999 42.7% 25.8%
1998 43.1% 26%
1997 43.5% 26.2%
1996 43.9% 26.3%
1995 44.2% 26.4%
1994 44.5% 26.4%
1993 44.8% 26.4%
1992 45% 26.3%
1991 45.2% 26.4%
1990 45.3% 26.5%
1989 45.4% 26.8%
1988 45.4% 27.3%
1987 45.5% 28%
1986 45.4% 29%
1985 45.3% 29.9%
1984 45.2% 30.9%
1983 45.4% 32%
1982 45.7% 33.1%
1981 45.9% 34.2%
1980 46.2% 35.1%
1979 46.5% 36%
1978 47% 36.9%
1977 47.5% 37.7%
1976 47.9% 38.3%
1975 48.2% 38.8%
1974 48.3% 39.3%
1973 48.4% 39.8%
1972 48.4% 40.2%
1971 48.4% 40.3%
1970 48.2% 40.1%
1969 48.1% 39.8%
1968 47.9% 39.2%
1967 47.8% 38.3%
1966 47.6% 37.3%
1965 47.4% 36.7%
1964 47.1% 36.6%
1963 46.8% 36.5%
1962 46.4% 36.6%
1961 45.9% 37%
1960 45.4% 37.5%

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/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 35.8% of the population in Ghana and 18.9% in North Korea in 2024, compared to 45.3% and 26.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Ghana and North Korea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Ghana vs North Korea

Ghana
North Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Ghana North Korea
2023 234 67
2022 239 67
2021 264 72
2020 253 66
2019 260 66
2018 276 69
2017 287 70
2016 296 71
2015 310 72
2014 317 73
2013 338 75
2012 351 76
2011 356 76
2010 363 77
2009 369 78
2008 380 79
2007 377 80
2006 385 80
2005 390 78
2004 403 77
2003 410 76
2002 434 131
2001 460 130
2000 472 129
1999 490 129
1998 521 129
1997 553 128
1996 591 128
1995 630 127
1994 670 57
1993 696 46
1992 718 37
1991 745 38
1990 769 43
1989 799 49
1988 834 55
1987 873 62
1986 908 68
1985 943 76

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 234 deaths per 100,000 live births in Ghana, compared to 67 deaths in North Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Ghana
North Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Ghana North Korea
2023 3.71% 1.8%
2022 3.85% 1.77%
2021 4.02% 1.74%
2020 4.2% 1.74%
2019 4.39% 1.77%
2018 4.6% 1.84%
2017 4.81% 1.91%
2016 5.02% 2.06%
2015 5.25% 2.14%
2014 5.48% 2.26%
2013 5.74% 2.41%
2012 6.02% 2.57%
2011 6.33% 2.72%
2010 6.65% 2.87%
2009 6.99% 3%
2008 7.31% 3.1%
2007 7.63% 3.24%
2006 7.93% 3.28%
2005 8.22% 3.33%
2004 8.52% 3.38%
2003 8.85% 3.45%
2002 9.21% 9.78%
2001 9.61% 9.9%
2000 10% 10%
1999 10.4% 10.2%
1998 10.8% 10.3%
1997 11.1% 10.5%
1996 11.3% 10.6%
1995 11.5% 10.8%
1994 11.6% 4.25%
1993 11.8% 4.27%
1992 12% 4.25%
1991 12.3% 4.18%
1990 12.8% 4.07%
1989 13.3% 3.95%
1988 13.8% 3.83%
1987 14.4% 3.78%
1986 15% 3.68%
1985 15.5% 3.68%
1984 15.9% 3.71%
1983 16.2% 3.8%
1982 16.4% 3.91%
1981 16.6% 4.05%
1980 16.7% 4.22%
1979 16.9% 4.4%
1978 17.2% 4.59%
1977 17.7% 4.8%
1976 18.2% 5.03%
1975 18.7% 5.28%
1974 19.2% 5.56%
1973 19.6% 5.86%
1972 19.9% 6.2%
1971 20.1% 6.58%
1970 20.2% 6.99%
1969 20.3% 7.45%
1968 20.3% 7.94%
1967 20.3% 8.45%
1966 20.3% 8.96%
1965 20.3% 9.46%
1964 20.3% 9.92%
1963 20.4% 10.4%
1962 20.5% 10.8%
1961 20.7% 11.2%
1960 20.9% 11.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ghana/north-korea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.71% in Ghana and 1.8% in North Korea. 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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