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Fertility & birth rates in Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea-Bissau has an annual birth rate of 30 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 3.84 in Guinea-Bissau and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 5.01% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 35.2% in Guinea-Bissau and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 5.92 and 6.24, respectively.

  • Guinea-Bissau is ranked 32/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.4 in Guinea-Bissau — 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 82 in Guinea-Bissau vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In Guinea-Bissau, 25.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Guinea-Bissau vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2023 3.84 3.64
2022 3.91 3.7
2021 4 3.76
2020 4.08 3.83
2019 4.15 3.9
2018 4.24 3.98
2017 4.35 4.07
2016 4.52 4.2
2015 4.66 4.35
2014 4.79 4.49
2013 4.93 4.58
2012 5 4.66
2011 5.07 4.72
2010 5.11 4.77
2009 5.18 4.84
2008 5.27 4.91
2007 5.37 4.96
2006 5.41 4.93
2005 5.46 4.94
2004 5.5 4.96
2003 5.58 5.01
2002 5.63 5.06
2001 5.69 5.1
2000 5.79 5.16
1999 5.87 5.23
1998 5.97 5.3
1997 6.06 5.4
1996 6.14 5.47
1995 6.22 5.55
1994 6.3 5.56
1993 6.37 5.64
1992 6.44 5.7
1991 6.47 5.77
1990 6.5 5.83
1989 6.66 5.88
1988 6.69 5.94
1987 6.72 5.99
1986 6.73 6.05
1985 6.74 6.1
1984 6.73 6.16
1983 6.69 6.22
1982 6.64 6.28
1981 6.57 6.33
1980 6.49 6.39
1979 6.4 6.43
1978 6.32 6.47
1977 6.25 6.5
1976 6.19 6.52
1975 6.15 6.53
1974 6.12 6.53
1973 6.1 6.53
1972 6.08 6.51
1971 6.06 6.49
1970 6.04 6.47
1969 6.02 6.44
1968 6.01 6.42
1967 5.99 6.39
1966 5.98 6.37
1965 5.97 6.35
1964 5.96 6.33
1963 5.95 6.31
1962 5.94 6.28
1961 5.93 6.26
1960 5.92 6.24

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Guinea-Bissau was 3.84 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 Guinea-Bissau vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2023 49,498 5,221
2022 48,920 5,102
2021 47,242 4,954
2020 46,718 4,874
2019 47,196 4,932
2018 46,659 4,957
2017 46,318 5,007
2016 46,814 5,125
2015 46,846 5,269
2014 46,615 5,381
2013 46,472 5,449
2012 45,480 5,501
2011 44,405 5,445
2010 43,067 5,391
2009 41,950 5,349
2008 40,841 5,297
2007 40,288 5,226
2006 38,886 5,057
2005 37,347 4,897
2004 36,495 4,810
2003 35,649 4,702
2002 34,561 4,591
2001 33,461 4,471
2000 32,816 4,334
1999 30,916 4,221
1998 30,390 4,120
1997 29,792 4,041
1996 29,778 3,993
1995 29,142 3,948
1994 27,895 3,860
1993 26,943 3,841
1992 25,747 3,822
1991 24,527 3,801
1990 23,936 3,719
1989 24,286 3,576
1988 23,940 3,544
1987 23,549 3,440
1986 23,301 3,180
1985 23,116 3,242
1984 22,861 3,163
1983 22,542 3,100
1982 22,131 3,047
1981 21,611 3,015
1980 21,024 2,965
1979 19,736 2,893
1978 17,468 2,800
1977 15,484 2,705
1976 13,688 2,608
1975 11,998 2,515
1974 10,321 2,422
1973 8,430 2,329
1972 7,911 2,232
1971 8,183 2,127
1970 7,632 1,980
1969 7,857 1,862
1968 7,289 1,767
1967 6,742 1,693
1966 6,955 1,642
1965 7,789 1,611
1964 8,989 1,600
1963 9,190 1,609
1962 10,662 1,625
1961 10,756 1,657
1960 10,618 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guinea-bissau/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 +2.3% in Guinea-Bissau and +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.44% in Guinea-Bissau and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Guinea-Bissau vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2023 30 28.2
2022 30.5 28.3
2021 31 28.5
2020 31.4 28.6
2019 31.8 29.2
2018 32.4 29.8
2017 33 30.6
2016 34.2 31.7
2015 35.2 33
2014 36.1 34.3
2013 37.1 35.4
2012 37.6 36.4
2011 38 36.8
2010 38.3 37.3
2009 38.7 37.9
2008 39.3 38.5
2007 40 38.9
2006 40.3 38.9
2005 40.6 39
2004 40.8 39.2
2003 41.3 39.6
2002 41.6 39.8
2001 41.8 40
2000 42.3 39.7
1999 42.7 39.4
1998 43.2 39.2
1997 43.6 39.2
1996 43.9 39.3
1995 44.3 39.5
1994 44.5 39.4
1993 44.6 39.8
1992 44.8 40.2
1991 44.9 40.7
1990 45.3 40.7
1989 46.5 40.9
1988 46.8 40.9
1987 47.2 41
1986 47.7 41
1985 48.1 41
1984 48.4 41.1
1983 48.7 41.2
1982 48.8 41.3
1981 48.8 41.5
1980 48.6 41.6
1979 47.8 41.6
1978 45.3 41.4
1977 44 41.3
1976 42.5 41.1
1975 40.8 40.9
1974 38.8 40.6
1973 39.1 40.3
1972 38.6 39.9
1971 39.5 39.5
1970 38.6 38.8
1969 39.6 38.2
1968 38.8 37.8
1967 38.6 37.7
1966 40 38
1965 41.9 38.6
1964 44 39.7
1963 44.1 41.1
1962 44.6 42.7
1961 45.2 44.6
1960 45.4 44.6

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30 in Guinea-Bissau and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 45.4 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
Fertility rate 3.84 3.64
Fertility rate rank 32/196 41/196
Birth rate 30 28.2
Birth rate rank 32/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +49,498 +5,221
Natural population change rank 95/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +2.3% +2.26%
Population growth +2.23% +2.02%
Population growth rank 42/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 29.4 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 78.1 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 164.4 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 58.1 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.5% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 20.2% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 53.8% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.51% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.27% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.31% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 6.93% 1.39%
Life expectancy 64.6 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Guinea-Bissau
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2100 19.7% 19.5%
2099 19.8% 19.6%
2098 19.9% 19.8%
2097 20% 19.9%
2096 20.2% 20%
2095 20.3% 20.2%
2094 20.4% 20.3%
2093 20.5% 20.4%
2092 20.6% 20.6%
2091 20.8% 20.7%
2090 20.9% 20.9%
2089 21% 21.1%
2088 21.2% 21.2%
2087 21.3% 21.4%
2086 21.5% 21.6%
2085 21.6% 21.8%
2084 21.8% 22%
2083 21.9% 22.2%
2082 22.1% 22.4%
2081 22.2% 22.6%
2080 22.4% 22.9%
2079 22.6% 23.1%
2078 22.7% 23.3%
2077 22.9% 23.5%
2076 23.1% 23.7%
2075 23.3% 24%
2074 23.4% 24.2%
2073 23.6% 24.4%
2072 23.8% 24.6%
2071 24% 24.8%
2070 24.2% 25%
2069 24.4% 25.2%
2068 24.6% 25.4%
2067 24.8% 25.6%
2066 25.1% 25.9%
2065 25.3% 26.1%
2064 25.5% 26.3%
2063 25.7% 26.5%
2062 26% 26.8%
2061 26.2% 27%
2060 26.5% 27.3%
2059 26.7% 27.5%
2058 27% 27.8%
2057 27.3% 28.1%
2056 27.5% 28.4%
2055 27.8% 28.7%
2054 28.1% 29%
2053 28.4% 29.4%
2052 28.7% 29.7%
2051 29% 30.1%
2050 29.3% 30.4%
2049 29.6% 30.8%
2048 29.9% 31.1%
2047 30.2% 31.5%
2046 30.5% 31.8%
2045 30.9% 32.1%
2044 31.2% 32.5%
2043 31.5% 32.8%
2042 31.9% 33.1%
2041 32.2% 33.4%
2040 32.5% 33.6%
2039 32.9% 33.9%
2038 33.2% 34.1%
2037 33.6% 34.4%
2036 33.9% 34.6%
2035 34.3% 34.7%
2034 34.6% 34.9%
2033 35% 35.1%
2032 35.3% 35.3%
2031 35.7% 35.5%
2030 36.2% 35.8%
2029 36.6% 36.1%
2028 37.1% 36.6%
2027 37.6% 37%
2026 38.1% 37.3%
2025 38.6% 37.6%
2024 38.8% 37.8%
2023 39.2% 38.3%
2022 39.7% 38.8%
2021 40.1% 39.4%
2020 40.5% 39.9%
2019 40.9% 40.5%
2018 41.3% 40.9%
2017 41.7% 41.4%
2016 42% 41.7%
2015 42.2% 41.9%
2014 42.5% 42%
2013 42.7% 42%
2012 42.8% 42%
2011 43% 42%
2010 43.2% 42.1%
2009 43.3% 42.1%
2008 43.5% 42.1%
2007 43.6% 42%
2006 43.8% 42%
2005 43.9% 42%
2004 44% 42.1%
2003 44.2% 42.2%
2002 44.3% 42.3%
2001 44.5% 42.5%
2000 44.7% 42.8%
1999 44.8% 43.4%
1998 45% 43.9%
1997 45.1% 44.3%
1996 45.2% 44.7%
1995 45.3% 44.9%
1994 45.4% 45.1%
1993 45.4% 45.2%
1992 45.5% 45.2%
1991 45.5% 45.1%
1990 45.7% 45.1%
1989 45.8% 45%
1988 45.9% 45%
1987 45.9% 44.9%
1986 46% 44.7%
1985 45.9% 44.5%
1984 45.9% 44.4%
1983 45.7% 44.5%
1982 45.5% 44.5%
1981 45.3% 44.7%
1980 45% 44.9%
1979 45.1% 45.1%
1978 44.8% 45.2%
1977 43.7% 45.3%
1976 42.6% 45.4%
1975 41.8% 45.5%
1974 41.4% 45.6%
1973 41.6% 45.7%
1972 41.9% 45.9%
1971 41.9% 46.1%
1970 41.9% 46.2%
1969 41.9% 45.8%
1968 41.8% 44.9%
1967 42.1% 44%
1966 41.9% 42.9%
1965 41% 41.6%
1964 39.6% 40.2%
1963 38.4% 38.5%
1962 37.7% 36.6%
1961 37.1% 34.3%
1960 36.9% 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/guinea-bissau/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 38.8% of the population in Guinea-Bissau and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 45.7% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Guinea-Bissau 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/guinea-bissau/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Guinea-Bissau vs Sao Tome and Principe

Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2023 505 75
2022 539 82
2021 617 98
2020 603 92
2019 598 95
2018 585 100
2017 597 110
2016 617 119
2015 631 128
2014 662 138
2013 707 150
2012 704 158
2011 678 164
2010 698 170
2009 753 172
2008 802 174
2007 792 174
2006 831 177
2005 956 181
2004 980 177
2003 1,069 178
2002 1,141 179
2001 1,222 178
2000 1,295 180
1999 1,461 179
1998 1,465 175
1997 1,642 173
1996 1,539 171
1995 1,556 172
1994 1,644 168
1993 1,613 166
1992 1,633 164
1991 1,663 166
1990 1,709 164
1989 1,698 167
1988 1,759 157
1987 1,796 161
1986 1,825 175
1985 1,851 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/guinea-bissau/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 505 deaths per 100,000 live births in Guinea-Bissau, compared to 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Guinea-Bissau
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Guinea-Bissau Sao Tome
2023 6.93% 1.39%
2022 7.16% 1.46%
2021 7.41% 1.53%
2020 7.66% 1.6%
2019 7.91% 1.7%
2018 8.21% 1.81%
2017 8.53% 1.95%
2016 8.84% 2.11%
2015 9.18% 2.31%
2014 9.53% 2.54%
2013 9.93% 2.77%
2012 10.4% 3.04%
2011 10.9% 3.33%
2010 11.4% 3.63%
2009 12% 3.95%
2008 12.6% 4.3%
2007 13.2% 4.68%
2006 13.9% 5.11%
2005 14.5% 5.56%
2004 15.1% 6.05%
2003 15.7% 6.57%
2002 16.3% 7.1%
2001 16.8% 7.66%
2000 17.4% 8.21%
1999 17.9% 8.76%
1998 18.4% 9.26%
1997 18.9% 9.73%
1996 19.4% 10.1%
1995 19.9% 10.4%
1994 20.4% 10.7%
1993 20.9% 10.8%
1992 21.3% 10.9%
1991 21.8% 10.9%
1990 22.2% 10.8%
1989 22.7% 10.7%
1988 23.1% 10.6%
1987 23.5% 10.4%
1986 24% 11.4%
1985 24.4% 9.99%
1984 - 9.77%
1983 - 9.56%
1982 - 9.37%
1981 - 9.21%
1980 - 9.1%
1979 - 9.02%
1978 - 8.96%
1977 - 8.93%
1976 - 8.89%
1975 - 8.85%
1974 - 8.79%
1973 - 8.73%
1972 - 8.67%
1971 - 8.63%
1970 - 8.64%
1969 - 8.71%
1968 - 8.85%
1967 - 9.04%
1966 - 9.29%
1965 - 9.56%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1965–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 6.93% in Guinea-Bissau 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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