Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Guatemala and Lesotho

Updated on by Georank team

Guatemala has an annual birth rate of 20.8 births per 1,000 people, compared to 24.1 for Lesotho. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.31 in Guatemala and 2.69 in Lesotho — 16.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 67% in Guatemala and by 53.4% in Lesotho — in 1960, it was 7 and 5.78, respectively.

  • Guatemala is ranked 69/196 by birth rate compared to 56/196 for Lesotho.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.6 years in Guatemala, compared to 20.9 years in Lesotho.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.2 in Guatemala — it's 27.8 in Lesotho.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 68.3 in Guatemala vs 70.6 in Lesotho.
  • In Guatemala, 27.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 27.8% in Lesotho.

Fertility rate in Guatemala vs Lesotho by year

Guatemala
Lesotho
1x
Year Fertility rate
Guatemala Lesotho
2023 2.31 2.69
2022 2.34 2.72
2021 2.39 2.77
2020 2.47 2.85
2019 2.59 2.92
2018 2.74 3.02
2017 2.86 3.11
2016 2.97 3.18
2015 3.03 3.22
2014 3.09 3.24
2013 3.15 3.28
2012 3.22 3.3
2011 3.29 3.34
2010 3.38 3.25
2009 3.47 3.31
2008 3.57 3.39
2007 3.72 3.44
2006 3.85 3.41
2005 3.97 3.43
2004 4.13 3.51
2003 4.25 3.62
2002 4.37 3.68
2001 4.5 3.63
2000 4.58 3.61
1999 4.69 3.67
1998 4.8 3.82
1997 4.91 3.98
1996 5.01 4.06
1995 5.11 4.13
1994 5.19 4.21
1993 5.25 4.37
1992 5.31 4.54
1991 5.38 4.68
1990 5.48 4.81
1989 5.56 4.96
1988 5.62 5.1
1987 5.64 5.22
1986 5.66 5.32
1985 5.73 5.4
1984 5.86 5.48
1983 5.98 5.56
1982 6.06 5.63
1981 6.12 5.69
1980 6.17 5.75
1979 6.22 5.79
1978 6.26 5.82
1977 6.32 5.85
1976 6.37 5.87
1975 6.41 5.83
1974 6.46 5.75
1973 6.49 5.69
1972 6.51 5.69
1971 6.55 5.7
1970 6.6 5.7
1969 6.65 5.7
1968 6.7 5.73
1967 6.76 5.75
1966 6.8 5.76
1965 6.84 5.77
1964 6.87 5.77
1963 6.9 5.78
1962 6.93 5.79
1961 6.98 5.79
1960 7 5.78

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Guatemala was 2.31 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.69 in Lesotho in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Guatemala vs Lesotho population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Guatemala
Lesotho
1x
Year Natural population change
Guatemala Lesotho
2023 289,635 31,115
2022 281,675 30,803
2021 255,145 27,806
2020 281,328 30,721
2019 307,389 32,279
2018 323,100 33,112
2017 332,838 33,601
2016 338,114 33,390
2015 335,072 32,087
2014 333,551 30,922
2013 331,321 29,789
2012 332,365 27,592
2011 328,548 25,647
2010 324,802 21,877
2009 323,320 20,335
2008 323,226 19,349
2007 326,298 17,763
2006 325,604 15,234
2005 325,816 15,831
2004 331,699 17,271
2003 333,539 20,133
2002 334,255 22,274
2001 335,503 23,190
2000 332,891 24,786
1999 328,890 27,393
1998 325,174 30,889
1997 320,087 34,637
1996 315,252 36,228
1995 309,236 37,370
1994 302,708 38,629
1993 295,515 40,505
1992 288,411 42,579
1991 283,917 44,026
1990 280,318 45,060
1989 276,736 46,264
1988 271,466 47,158
1987 261,746 47,718
1986 252,754 45,232
1985 246,119 44,575
1984 241,892 43,785
1983 238,059 42,899
1982 199,809 41,941
1981 221,044 40,808
1980 218,460 39,617
1979 216,810 38,440
1978 211,301 37,084
1977 203,299 35,654
1976 171,903 34,117
1975 188,501 32,311
1974 184,992 30,444
1973 179,871 28,859
1972 173,162 27,841
1971 165,104 26,838
1970 155,946 25,935
1969 149,516 25,137
1968 146,946 24,490
1967 143,859 23,911
1966 140,494 23,326
1965 135,997 22,755
1964 132,832 22,116
1963 129,065 21,585
1962 126,429 21,132
1961 123,753 20,581
1960 120,728 19,981

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | 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 +1.6% in Guatemala and +1.35% in Lesotho.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.83% in Guatemala and +1.44% in Lesotho.

Birth rate in Guatemala vs Lesotho by year

Guatemala
Lesotho

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Guatemala Lesotho
2023 20.8 24.1
2022 21.1 24.4
2021 21.4 24.9
2020 22 25.6
2019 23.1 26.4
2018 24.3 27.4
2017 25.2 28.2
2016 26 28.9
2015 26.2 29.2
2014 26.5 29.5
2013 26.7 30
2012 27.2 30
2011 27.5 30.2
2010 27.8 29.2
2009 28.2 29.4
2008 28.7 29.6
2007 29.4 29.5
2006 30 28.6
2005 30.8 28.6
2004 31.7 28.7
2003 32.5 29.3
2002 33.3 29.4
2001 34.2 28.7
2000 34.7 28.2
1999 35.2 28.5
1998 35.9 29.2
1997 36.5 30.2
1996 37.1 30.4
1995 37.8 30.6
1994 38.2 31
1993 38.6 32
1992 38.9 33.2
1991 39.3 34.2
1990 39.8 35.1
1989 40.3 36.3
1988 40.7 37.4
1987 40.7 38.3
1986 40.8 37.5
1985 41.1 37.9
1984 41.9 38.4
1983 42.8 38.9
1982 43.2 39.5
1981 43.4 39.9
1980 43.6 40.4
1979 43.6 40.8
1978 43.7 41
1977 43.9 41.1
1976 44 41
1975 44.1 40.6
1974 44.1 40.2
1973 44.2 39.9
1972 44.4 40.2
1971 44.7 40.5
1970 44.9 40.8
1969 45.1 41.3
1968 45.3 41.9
1967 45.6 42.5
1966 46 43
1965 46.2 43.3
1964 46.5 43.5
1963 46.9 43.7
1962 47.4 44.1
1961 48 44.3
1960 48.5 44.6

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 20.8 in Guatemala and 24.1 in Lesotho, compared with 48.5 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Guatemala Lesotho
Fertility rate 2.31 2.69
Fertility rate rank 81/196 68/196
Birth rate 20.8 24.1
Birth rate rank 69/196 56/196
Population change due to births and deaths +289,635 +31,115
Natural population change rank 52/196 103/196
Natural population change rate +1.6% +1.35%
Population growth +1.55% +1.12%
Population growth rank 69/197 93/197
Age at first childbirth 20.6 years 20.9 years
Average age at childbearing 27.2 years 27.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 66.6 69.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 114.3 133.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 28 37.3
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27.5% 27.8%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 48.9% 65.3%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 69.6% 86.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.09% 0.48%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1% 2.87%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 1.79% 5.54%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 2.14% 5.89%
Life expectancy 73 years 58.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Guatemala
Factual

UN forecast
Lesotho
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Guatemala Lesotho
2100 14.9% 18%
2099 14.9% 18.1%
2098 15% 18.2%
2097 15% 18.3%
2096 15.1% 18.3%
2095 15.1% 18.4%
2094 15.2% 18.5%
2093 15.3% 18.6%
2092 15.3% 18.7%
2091 15.4% 18.9%
2090 15.5% 19%
2089 15.5% 19.1%
2088 15.6% 19.2%
2087 15.7% 19.3%
2086 15.8% 19.4%
2085 15.9% 19.6%
2084 15.9% 19.7%
2083 16% 19.8%
2082 16.1% 19.9%
2081 16.2% 20%
2080 16.3% 20.2%
2079 16.5% 20.3%
2078 16.6% 20.4%
2077 16.7% 20.5%
2076 16.8% 20.6%
2075 16.9% 20.7%
2074 17% 20.9%
2073 17.2% 21%
2072 17.3% 21.1%
2071 17.4% 21.3%
2070 17.6% 21.4%
2069 17.7% 21.5%
2068 17.9% 21.7%
2067 18% 21.9%
2066 18.2% 22%
2065 18.3% 22.2%
2064 18.5% 22.4%
2063 18.7% 22.6%
2062 18.9% 22.8%
2061 19% 23%
2060 19.2% 23.3%
2059 19.4% 23.5%
2058 19.7% 23.7%
2057 19.9% 24%
2056 20.1% 24.2%
2055 20.4% 24.5%
2054 20.6% 24.7%
2053 20.9% 25%
2052 21.2% 25.3%
2051 21.5% 25.5%
2050 21.8% 25.8%
2049 22.1% 26.1%
2048 22.4% 26.3%
2047 22.7% 26.5%
2046 23% 26.8%
2045 23.3% 27%
2044 23.6% 27.3%
2043 23.9% 27.5%
2042 24.2% 27.7%
2041 24.5% 28%
2040 24.8% 28.2%
2039 25% 28.4%
2038 25.3% 28.7%
2037 25.6% 28.9%
2036 25.9% 29.2%
2035 26.2% 29.5%
2034 26.6% 29.9%
2033 27% 30.3%
2032 27.5% 30.8%
2031 28% 31.3%
2030 28.6% 31.8%
2029 29.1% 32.3%
2028 29.7% 32.8%
2027 30.2% 33.4%
2026 30.8% 33.9%
2025 31.3% 34.3%
2024 31.6% 34.5%
2023 32.1% 34.9%
2022 32.7% 35.3%
2021 33.3% 35.6%
2020 33.8% 35.8%
2019 34.4% 36.1%
2018 34.9% 36.3%
2017 35.4% 36.5%
2016 35.9% 36.6%
2015 36.4% 36.6%
2014 36.9% 36.6%
2013 37.5% 36.5%
2012 38.1% 36.5%
2011 38.7% 36.5%
2010 39.3% 36.5%
2009 39.9% 36.6%
2008 40.5% 36.7%
2007 41% 36.8%
2006 41.6% 37.1%
2005 42.1% 37.4%
2004 42.5% 37.7%
2003 43% 38.1%
2002 43.3% 38.6%
2001 43.6% 39.1%
2000 43.8% 39.6%
1999 44.1% 40.2%
1998 44.3% 40.7%
1997 44.5% 41.2%
1996 44.7% 41.7%
1995 44.8% 42%
1994 44.9% 42.3%
1993 45.1% 42.6%
1992 45.2% 42.8%
1991 45.3% 42.9%
1990 45.4% 42.9%
1989 45.5% 42.8%
1988 45.6% 42.7%
1987 45.6% 42.5%
1986 45.7% 42.7%
1985 45.7% 43%
1984 45.7% 42.8%
1983 45.7% 42.7%
1982 45.6% 42.5%
1981 45.6% 42.3%
1980 45.5% 42.1%
1979 45.5% 41.9%
1978 45.6% 41.7%
1977 45.6% 41.5%
1976 45.7% 41.4%
1975 45.8% 41.6%
1974 45.9% 41.9%
1973 46% 42.3%
1972 46% 42.7%
1971 46% 43.1%
1970 46.1% 43.6%
1969 46.2% 44%
1968 46.2% 44.4%
1967 46.4% 44.8%
1966 46.5% 44.9%
1965 46.6% 44.8%
1964 46.6% 44.9%
1963 46.7% 45.2%
1962 46.8% 45.3%
1961 46.7% 45.2%
1960 46.7% 45.1%

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/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 31.6% of the population in Guatemala and 34.5% in Lesotho in 2024, compared to 45.4% and 42.9% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Guatemala and Lesotho compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Guatemala vs Lesotho

Guatemala
Lesotho
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Guatemala Lesotho
2023 94 478
2022 97 477
2021 125 577
2020 102 529
2019 106 467
2018 107 491
2017 107 468
2016 110 518
2015 112 594
2014 111 707
2013 111 855
2012 115 1,000
2011 120 1,210
2010 127 1,311
2009 130 1,387
2008 133 1,205
2007 135 891
2006 142 696
2005 153 549
2004 148 499
2003 150 508
2002 153 484
2001 162 465
2000 166 413
1999 174 371
1998 185 332
1997 198 312
1996 213 319
1995 229 357
1994 244 423
1993 262 542
1992 269 601
1991 268 641
1990 270 665
1989 271 680
1988 273 680
1987 277 686
1986 286 680
1985 301 711

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 94 deaths per 100,000 live births in Guatemala, compared to 478 deaths in Lesotho.

Under-five mortality rates

Guatemala
Lesotho

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Guatemala Lesotho
2023 2.14% 5.89%
2022 2.21% 6.15%
2021 2.28% 6.44%
2020 2.37% 6.68%
2019 2.45% 6.87%
2018 2.54% 6.91%
2017 2.63% 7.12%
2016 2.72% 7.18%
2015 2.83% 7.51%
2014 2.94% 7.82%
2013 3.07% 8.02%
2012 3.2% 8.26%
2011 3.33% 8.59%
2010 3.48% 9.01%
2009 3.62% 9.64%
2008 3.78% 10.9%
2007 3.93% 11.2%
2006 4.1% 11.5%
2005 4.26% 11.6%
2004 4.43% 11.5%
2003 4.61% 11.4%
2002 4.8% 11.2%
2001 5% 11.1%
2000 5.21% 10.9%
1999 5.42% 10.7%
1998 5.65% 10.5%
1997 5.89% 10.2%
1996 6.15% 9.83%
1995 6.42% 9.45%
1994 6.71% 9.07%
1993 7.02% 8.73%
1992 7.34% 8.51%
1991 7.68% 8.43%
1990 8.04% 8.47%
1989 8.41% 8.6%
1988 8.79% 8.8%
1987 9.19% 9.06%
1986 9.6% 9.36%
1985 10% 9.72%
1984 10.5% 10.1%
1983 10.9% 10.6%
1982 13.6% 11.1%
1981 11.8% 11.7%
1980 12.2% 12.3%
1979 12.7% 12.9%
1978 13.2% 13.6%
1977 13.6% 14.2%
1976 16.5% 14.9%
1975 14.6% 15.5%
1974 15.1% 16%
1973 15.6% 16.5%
1972 16.1% 16.9%
1971 16.6% 17.3%
1970 17.1% 17.7%
1969 17.6% 18%
1968 18.1% 18.3%
1967 18.6% 18.5%
1966 19.1% 18.6%
1965 19.6% 18.7%
1964 20.1% 18.6%
1963 20.6% 18.6%
1962 21.1% 18.5%
1961 21.6% 18.5%
1960 22.2% 18.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guatemala/lesotho | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 2.14% in Guatemala and 5.89% in Lesotho. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.