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Fertility & birth rates in Iceland and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has an annual birth rate of 11 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 1.59 in Iceland and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 129.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 62.9% in Iceland and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 4.29 and 6.24, respectively.

  • Iceland is ranked 132/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 28.8 years in Iceland, compared to 19.4 years in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31 in Iceland — 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 3.37 in Iceland vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In Iceland, 23.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Iceland vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iceland Sao Tome
2023 1.59 3.64
2022 1.59 3.7
2021 1.82 3.76
2020 1.72 3.83
2019 1.74 3.9
2018 1.71 3.98
2017 1.71 4.07
2016 1.74 4.2
2015 1.8 4.35
2014 1.93 4.49
2013 1.93 4.58
2012 2.04 4.66
2011 2.02 4.72
2010 2.2 4.77
2009 2.23 4.84
2008 2.15 4.91
2007 2.09 4.96
2006 2.08 4.93
2005 2.05 4.94
2004 2.04 4.96
2003 1.99 5.01
2002 1.93 5.06
2001 1.95 5.1
2000 2.08 5.16
1999 1.99 5.23
1998 2.05 5.3
1997 2.04 5.4
1996 2.12 5.47
1995 2.08 5.55
1994 2.14 5.56
1993 2.22 5.64
1992 2.21 5.7
1991 2.18 5.77
1990 2.3 5.83
1989 2.19 5.88
1988 2.26 5.94
1987 2.06 5.99
1986 1.92 6.05
1985 1.93 6.1
1984 2.08 6.16
1983 2.24 6.22
1982 2.27 6.28
1981 2.33 6.33
1980 2.48 6.39
1979 2.49 6.43
1978 2.35 6.47
1977 2.31 6.5
1976 2.52 6.52
1975 2.65 6.53
1974 2.66 6.53
1973 2.94 6.53
1972 3.09 6.51
1971 2.92 6.49
1970 2.81 6.47
1969 2.99 6.44
1968 3.06 6.42
1967 3.28 6.39
1966 3.59 6.37
1965 3.73 6.35
1964 3.88 6.33
1963 3.99 6.31
1962 3.98 6.28
1961 3.88 6.26
1960 4.29 6.24

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Iceland was 1.59 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 Iceland vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Iceland Sao Tome
2023 1,697 5,221
2022 1,719 5,102
2021 2,534 4,954
2020 2,199 4,874
2019 2,163 4,932
2018 1,975 4,957
2017 1,854 5,007
2016 1,711 5,125
2015 1,952 5,269
2014 2,324 5,381
2013 2,169 5,449
2012 2,566 5,501
2011 2,521 5,445
2010 2,862 5,391
2009 3,026 5,349
2008 2,825 5,297
2007 2,617 5,226
2006 2,491 5,057
2005 2,433 4,897
2004 2,425 4,810
2003 2,317 4,702
2002 2,243 4,591
2001 2,365 4,471
2000 2,475 4,334
1999 2,192 4,221
1998 2,357 4,120
1997 2,305 4,041
1996 2,447 3,993
1995 2,354 3,948
1994 2,713 3,860
1993 2,875 3,841
1992 2,898 3,822
1991 2,733 3,801
1990 3,058 3,719
1989 2,832 3,576
1988 2,847 3,544
1987 2,360 3,440
1986 2,384 3,180
1985 2,221 3,242
1984 2,539 3,163
1983 2,702 3,100
1982 2,736 3,047
1981 2,677 3,015
1980 2,966 2,965
1979 2,980 2,893
1978 2,727 2,800
1977 2,551 2,705
1976 2,951 2,608
1975 2,965 2,515
1974 2,776 2,422
1973 3,121 2,329
1972 3,241 2,232
1971 2,782 2,127
1970 2,576 1,980
1969 2,766 1,862
1968 2,841 1,767
1967 3,021 1,693
1966 3,305 1,642
1965 3,442 1,611
1964 3,459 1,600
1963 3,490 1,609
1962 3,465 1,625
1961 3,312 1,657
1960 3,758 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iceland/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 +0.44% in Iceland and +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.57% in Iceland and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Iceland vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iceland Sao Tome
2023 11 28.2
2022 11.5 28.3
2021 13.1 28.5
2020 12.3 28.6
2019 12.3 29.2
2018 12 29.8
2017 11.9 30.6
2016 12 31.7
2015 12.5 33
2014 13.4 34.3
2013 13.4 35.4
2012 14.1 36.4
2011 14.1 36.8
2010 15.4 37.3
2009 15.8 37.9
2008 15.2 38.5
2007 14.6 38.9
2006 14.5 38.9
2005 14.4 39
2004 14.5 39.2
2003 14.3 39.6
2002 14.1 39.8
2001 14.4 40
2000 15.3 39.7
1999 14.8 39.4
1998 15.2 39.2
1997 15.3 39.2
1996 16.1 39.3
1995 16 39.5
1994 16.7 39.4
1993 17.5 39.8
1992 17.7 40.2
1991 17.6 40.7
1990 18.7 40.7
1989 18 40.9
1988 18.7 40.9
1987 16.6 41
1986 16.4 41
1985 16 41
1984 17.2 41.1
1983 18.4 41.2
1982 18.5 41.3
1981 18.8 41.5
1980 19.8 41.6
1979 19.8 41.6
1978 18.6 41.4
1977 18 41.3
1976 19.5 41.1
1975 20.1 40.9
1974 19.9 40.6
1973 21.7 40.3
1972 22.4 39.9
1971 20.8 39.5
1970 19.7 38.8
1969 20.7 38.2
1968 21 37.8
1967 22.2 37.7
1966 24 38
1965 24.6 38.6
1964 25.3 39.7
1963 26 41.1
1962 25.8 42.7
1961 25.5 44.6
1960 28 44.6

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 11 in Iceland and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 28 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iceland Sao Tome
Fertility rate 1.59 3.64
Fertility rate rank 127/196 41/196
Birth rate 11 28.2
Birth rate rank 132/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +1,697 +5,221
Natural population change rank 138/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +0.44% +2.26%
Population growth +0.22% +2.02%
Population growth rank 155/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth 28.8 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 31 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 2.72 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 67.1 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 20.4 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.7% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 n/a 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 97.4% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.003% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.13% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.19% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.26% 1.39%
Life expectancy 83.3 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iceland
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iceland Sao Tome
2100 11.8% 19.5%
2099 11.8% 19.6%
2098 11.8% 19.8%
2097 11.8% 19.9%
2096 11.9% 20%
2095 11.9% 20.2%
2094 11.9% 20.3%
2093 11.9% 20.4%
2092 11.9% 20.6%
2091 11.9% 20.7%
2090 11.9% 20.9%
2089 11.9% 21.1%
2088 11.9% 21.2%
2087 11.9% 21.4%
2086 11.9% 21.6%
2085 11.9% 21.8%
2084 11.9% 22%
2083 11.9% 22.2%
2082 11.9% 22.4%
2081 11.9% 22.6%
2080 11.9% 22.9%
2079 12% 23.1%
2078 12% 23.3%
2077 12% 23.5%
2076 12% 23.7%
2075 12.1% 24%
2074 12.1% 24.2%
2073 12.1% 24.4%
2072 12.2% 24.6%
2071 12.2% 24.8%
2070 12.3% 25%
2069 12.4% 25.2%
2068 12.4% 25.4%
2067 12.5% 25.6%
2066 12.6% 25.9%
2065 12.6% 26.1%
2064 12.7% 26.3%
2063 12.8% 26.5%
2062 12.8% 26.8%
2061 12.9% 27%
2060 13% 27.3%
2059 13% 27.5%
2058 13.1% 27.8%
2057 13.2% 28.1%
2056 13.2% 28.4%
2055 13.3% 28.7%
2054 13.4% 29%
2053 13.4% 29.4%
2052 13.5% 29.7%
2051 13.6% 30.1%
2050 13.7% 30.4%
2049 13.8% 30.8%
2048 13.8% 31.1%
2047 14% 31.5%
2046 14.1% 31.8%
2045 14.2% 32.1%
2044 14.3% 32.5%
2043 14.4% 32.8%
2042 14.6% 33.1%
2041 14.8% 33.4%
2040 14.9% 33.6%
2039 15.1% 33.9%
2038 15.3% 34.1%
2037 15.5% 34.4%
2036 15.8% 34.6%
2035 16% 34.7%
2034 16.2% 34.9%
2033 16.4% 35.1%
2032 16.5% 35.3%
2031 16.6% 35.5%
2030 16.7% 35.8%
2029 16.9% 36.1%
2028 17% 36.6%
2027 17.2% 37%
2026 17.4% 37.3%
2025 17.6% 37.6%
2024 17.8% 37.8%
2023 18.1% 38.3%
2022 18.4% 38.8%
2021 18.6% 39.4%
2020 18.7% 39.9%
2019 18.9% 40.5%
2018 19.2% 40.9%
2017 19.6% 41.4%
2016 19.9% 41.7%
2015 20.2% 41.9%
2014 20.4% 42%
2013 20.6% 42%
2012 20.7% 42%
2011 20.8% 42%
2010 20.9% 42.1%
2009 20.9% 42.1%
2008 20.9% 42.1%
2007 21.1% 42%
2006 21.5% 42%
2005 22.1% 42%
2004 22.5% 42.1%
2003 22.8% 42.2%
2002 23% 42.3%
2001 23.2% 42.5%
2000 23.3% 42.8%
1999 23.4% 43.4%
1998 23.6% 43.9%
1997 23.9% 44.3%
1996 24.1% 44.7%
1995 24.4% 44.9%
1994 24.7% 45.1%
1993 24.8% 45.2%
1992 24.8% 45.2%
1991 24.8% 45.1%
1990 25% 45.1%
1989 25% 45%
1988 25.2% 45%
1987 25.6% 44.9%
1986 25.9% 44.7%
1985 26.2% 44.5%
1984 26.5% 44.4%
1983 26.7% 44.5%
1982 26.9% 44.5%
1981 27.2% 44.7%
1980 27.5% 44.9%
1979 27.9% 45.1%
1978 28.4% 45.2%
1977 29% 45.3%
1976 29.5% 45.4%
1975 30.1% 45.5%
1974 30.7% 45.6%
1973 31.2% 45.7%
1972 31.6% 45.9%
1971 32.1% 46.1%
1970 32.6% 46.2%
1969 33.2% 45.8%
1968 33.6% 44.9%
1967 34% 44%
1966 34.3% 42.9%
1965 34.5% 41.6%
1964 34.7% 40.2%
1963 34.9% 38.5%
1962 34.9% 36.6%
1961 35% 34.3%
1960 34.9% 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/iceland/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 17.8% of the population in Iceland and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 25% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iceland 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/iceland/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Iceland vs Sao Tome and Principe

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iceland Sao Tome
2023 3 75
2022 5 82
2021 5 98
2020 12 92
2019 4 95
2018 4 100
2017 3 110
2016 3 119
2015 4 128
2014 4 138
2013 4 150
2012 4 158
2011 4 164
2010 5 170
2009 5 172
2008 4 174
2007 5 174
2006 5 177
2005 5 181
2004 6 177
2003 6 178
2002 7 179
2001 6 178
2000 7 180
1999 7 179
1998 8 175
1997 8 173
1996 7 171
1995 13 172
1994 9 168
1993 10 166
1992 12 164
1991 11 166
1990 13 164
1989 14 167
1988 11 157
1987 13 161
1986 15 175
1985 11 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iceland/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 3 deaths per 100,000 live births in Iceland, compared to 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iceland Sao Tome
2023 0.26% 1.39%
2022 0.26% 1.46%
2021 0.27% 1.53%
2020 0.27% 1.6%
2019 0.27% 1.7%
2018 0.27% 1.81%
2017 0.26% 1.95%
2016 0.26% 2.11%
2015 0.26% 2.31%
2014 0.26% 2.54%
2013 0.26% 2.77%
2012 0.26% 3.04%
2011 0.27% 3.33%
2010 0.27% 3.63%
2009 0.27% 3.95%
2008 0.28% 4.3%
2007 0.29% 4.68%
2006 0.3% 5.11%
2005 0.31% 5.56%
2004 0.33% 6.05%
2003 0.34% 6.57%
2002 0.36% 7.1%
2001 0.38% 7.66%
2000 0.4% 8.21%
1999 0.42% 8.76%
1998 0.45% 9.26%
1997 0.47% 9.73%
1996 0.49% 10.1%
1995 0.52% 10.4%
1994 0.54% 10.7%
1993 0.56% 10.8%
1992 0.58% 10.9%
1991 0.61% 10.9%
1990 0.63% 10.8%
1989 0.65% 10.7%
1988 0.67% 10.6%
1987 0.7% 10.4%
1986 0.73% 11.4%
1985 0.75% 9.99%
1984 0.79% 9.77%
1983 0.83% 9.56%
1982 0.87% 9.37%
1981 0.92% 9.21%
1980 0.97% 9.1%
1979 1.03% 9.02%
1978 1.09% 8.96%
1977 1.15% 8.93%
1976 1.22% 8.89%
1975 1.29% 8.85%
1974 1.35% 8.79%
1973 1.41% 8.73%
1972 1.48% 8.67%
1971 1.54% 8.63%
1970 1.6% 8.64%
1969 1.66% 8.71%
1968 1.72% 8.85%
1967 1.79% 9.04%
1966 1.85% 9.29%
1965 1.92% 9.56%
1964 1.97% -
1963 2.02% -
1962 2.07% -
1961 2.11% -
1960 2.14% -

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.26% in Iceland 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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