Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Iran and Nigeria

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has an annual birth rate of 13 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33 for Nigeria. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.7 in Iran and 4.48 in Nigeria — 164.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 77.5% in Iran and by 29.6% in Nigeria — in 1960, it was 7.52 and 6.36, respectively.

  • Iran is ranked 108/196 by birth rate compared to 20/196 for Nigeria.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.9 in Iran — it's 29.1 in Nigeria.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 26.2 in Iran vs 86.4 in Nigeria.
  • In Iran, 26.8% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24% in Nigeria.

Fertility rate in Iran vs Nigeria by year

Iran
Nigeria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iran Nigeria
2023 1.7 4.48
2022 1.7 4.55
2021 1.71 4.64
2020 1.7 4.7
2019 1.77 4.86
2018 1.92 5.02
2017 2.02 5.18
2016 2.05 5.34
2015 2.02 5.5
2014 1.98 5.62
2013 1.91 5.69
2012 1.85 5.8
2011 1.79 5.89
2010 1.75 5.95
2009 1.74 5.99
2008 1.74 6.02
2007 1.75 6.03
2006 1.76 6.05
2005 1.76 6.06
2004 1.78 6.09
2003 1.8 6.1
2002 1.84 6.12
2001 1.92 6.13
2000 2 6.12
1999 2.09 6.08
1998 2.19 6.07
1997 2.32 6.14
1996 2.54 6.22
1995 2.85 6.27
1994 3.24 6.32
1993 3.67 6.35
1992 4.1 6.39
1991 4.57 6.43
1990 4.93 6.46
1989 5.17 6.49
1988 5.43 6.5
1987 5.72 6.5
1986 6.01 6.56
1985 6.24 6.62
1984 6.43 6.7
1983 6.53 6.78
1982 6.59 6.8
1981 6.62 6.82
1980 6.63 6.85
1979 6.55 6.89
1978 6.34 6.92
1977 6.18 6.86
1976 6.07 6.81
1975 5.95 6.77
1974 5.97 6.7
1973 6.06 6.63
1972 6.26 6.58
1971 6.55 6.53
1970 6.8 6.47
1969 7.01 6.44
1968 7.12 6.42
1967 7.19 6.4
1966 7.21 6.39
1965 7.22 6.37
1964 7.24 6.36
1963 7.32 6.35
1962 7.4 6.36
1961 7.46 6.35
1960 7.52 6.36

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Iran was 1.7 children per woman in 2023, compared to 4.48 in Nigeria in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Iran vs Nigeria population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Iran
Nigeria
1x
Year Natural population change
Iran Nigeria
2023 750,150 4,834,309
2022 753,525 4,739,502
2021 645,725 4,641,562
2020 663,978 4,525,164
2019 893,063 4,609,941
2018 1,035,052 4,659,898
2017 1,140,549 4,706,183
2016 1,186,949 4,761,594
2015 1,178,317 4,823,045
2014 1,158,552 4,862,319
2013 1,119,533 4,811,751
2012 1,073,804 4,774,508
2011 1,023,925 4,728,363
2010 980,380 4,629,173
2009 958,322 4,528,149
2008 940,983 4,412,976
2007 919,254 4,265,428
2006 884,529 4,135,703
2005 837,305 4,013,788
2004 801,203 3,877,376
2003 732,600 3,751,120
2002 752,205 3,606,814
2001 743,658 3,478,370
2000 731,203 3,343,196
1999 723,237 3,155,425
1998 717,655 3,003,946
1997 726,574 2,936,500
1996 784,508 2,882,205
1995 879,648 2,830,771
1994 1,008,076 2,735,198
1993 1,219,658 2,673,675
1992 1,365,466 2,596,173
1991 1,495,594 2,527,807
1990 1,530,434 2,491,928
1989 1,609,739 2,452,324
1988 1,614,512 2,376,419
1987 1,639,644 2,322,397
1986 1,659,289 2,295,003
1985 1,661,750 2,289,784
1984 1,653,051 2,278,060
1983 1,573,612 2,292,089
1982 1,514,240 2,233,401
1981 1,376,830 2,179,884
1980 1,361,293 2,121,618
1979 1,294,306 2,074,807
1978 1,156,974 2,019,621
1977 1,091,542 1,923,917
1976 1,013,347 1,827,289
1975 929,481 1,718,623
1974 873,369 1,624,813
1973 831,880 1,525,485
1972 804,043 1,448,928
1971 805,830 1,373,896
1970 794,612 1,295,507
1969 780,660 1,213,484
1968 743,992 1,168,254
1967 727,276 1,082,884
1966 695,040 1,095,582
1965 663,029 1,061,840
1964 635,589 1,028,272
1963 620,126 995,116
1962 595,538 966,452
1961 594,674 932,111
1960 584,060 901,301

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | 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 +0.83% in Iran and +2.12% in Nigeria.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.1% in Iran and +2.29% in Nigeria.

Birth rate in Iran vs Nigeria by year

Iran
Nigeria

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iran Nigeria
2023 13 33
2022 13.3 33.2
2021 13.7 33.5
2020 14 33.7
2019 14.9 34.7
2018 16.7 35.7
2017 18 36.7
2016 18.8 37.8
2015 18.9 39
2014 18.8 39.9
2013 18.5 40.4
2012 18.1 41.1
2011 17.7 41.8
2010 17.3 42.1
2009 17.2 42.5
2008 17.1 42.8
2007 17 42.9
2006 16.7 43.2
2005 16.4 43.4
2004 16.2 43.5
2003 15.9 43.7
2002 15.9 43.8
2001 15.9 43.9
2000 16 43.9
1999 16.1 43.4
1998 16.2 43.2
1997 16.6 43.5
1996 17.7 43.9
1995 19.5 44.1
1994 22 44
1993 25.7 44.1
1992 28.3 44.2
1991 31.2 44.3
1990 33.5 44.5
1989 35.2 44.8
1988 37 44.7
1987 38.8 44.8
1986 40.7 45.3
1985 42.4 45.9
1984 43.9 46.5
1983 44.7 47.5
1982 45.2 47.5
1981 44.2 47.9
1980 45.1 48.3
1979 44.7 48.8
1978 43.4 49.3
1977 42.2 49.1
1976 41.4 49
1975 40.3 49
1974 40 48.7
1973 40.1 48.2
1972 40.9 48
1971 42.4 47.8
1970 43.6 47.4
1969 44.7 47.3
1968 45.3 47.2
1967 45.8 47.1
1966 46 47
1965 46.3 46.9
1964 46.7 46.9
1963 47.7 46.8
1962 48.8 46.7
1961 49.8 46.6
1960 51 46.5

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 13 in Iran and 33 in Nigeria, compared with 51 and 46.5, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iran Nigeria
Fertility rate 1.7 4.48
Fertility rate rank 121/196 15/196
Birth rate 13 33
Birth rate rank 108/196 20/196
Population change due to births and deaths +750,150 +4,834,309
Natural population change rank 25/196 3/196
Natural population change rate +0.83% +2.12%
Population growth +1.06% +2.1%
Population growth rank 98/197 48/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 20.4 years
Average age at childbearing 28.9 years 29.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 25 80.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 84 200.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 19.8 67.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.8% 24%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 57% 18.2%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99% 50.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.02% 0.99%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.74% 3.37%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 1.07% 6.01%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.18% 10.5%
Life expectancy 78.2 years 55 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iran
Factual

UN forecast
Nigeria
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iran Nigeria
2100 12.1% 20.4%
2099 12.2% 20.5%
2098 12.2% 20.6%
2097 12.3% 20.7%
2096 12.3% 20.8%
2095 12.4% 20.9%
2094 12.5% 21%
2093 12.6% 21.1%
2092 12.6% 21.2%
2091 12.7% 21.4%
2090 12.8% 21.5%
2089 12.8% 21.6%
2088 12.9% 21.8%
2087 12.9% 21.9%
2086 12.9% 22.1%
2085 13% 22.2%
2084 13% 22.4%
2083 12.9% 22.6%
2082 12.9% 22.7%
2081 12.9% 22.9%
2080 12.9% 23.1%
2079 12.8% 23.3%
2078 12.8% 23.5%
2077 12.8% 23.7%
2076 12.7% 23.9%
2075 12.7% 24.1%
2074 12.7% 24.3%
2073 12.7% 24.5%
2072 12.7% 24.7%
2071 12.7% 25%
2070 12.7% 25.2%
2069 12.8% 25.4%
2068 12.9% 25.7%
2067 13% 25.9%
2066 13.1% 26.1%
2065 13.2% 26.4%
2064 13.3% 26.6%
2063 13.5% 26.9%
2062 13.6% 27.2%
2061 13.8% 27.4%
2060 14% 27.7%
2059 14.1% 28%
2058 14.3% 28.3%
2057 14.4% 28.6%
2056 14.6% 29%
2055 14.7% 29.3%
2054 14.8% 29.6%
2053 14.9% 30%
2052 15% 30.3%
2051 15.1% 30.7%
2050 15.1% 31.1%
2049 15.2% 31.5%
2048 15.2% 31.8%
2047 15.2% 32.2%
2046 15.2% 32.6%
2045 15.3% 32.9%
2044 15.3% 33.3%
2043 15.4% 33.7%
2042 15.4% 34%
2041 15.5% 34.4%
2040 15.7% 34.7%
2039 15.8% 35%
2038 16% 35.4%
2037 16.3% 35.7%
2036 16.5% 36%
2035 16.8% 36.3%
2034 17.2% 36.6%
2033 17.7% 37%
2032 18.3% 37.4%
2031 19% 37.8%
2030 19.6% 38.3%
2029 20.2% 38.8%
2028 20.8% 39.3%
2027 21.3% 39.8%
2026 21.8% 40.3%
2025 22.2% 40.8%
2024 22.4% 41%
2023 22.8% 41.5%
2022 23.2% 42%
2021 23.6% 42.4%
2020 23.8% 42.8%
2019 23.9% 43.2%
2018 24% 43.6%
2017 23.9% 43.9%
2016 23.8% 44.1%
2015 23.6% 44.3%
2014 23.4% 44.4%
2013 23.3% 44.5%
2012 23.3% 44.5%
2011 23.3% 44.5%
2010 23.4% 44.4%
2009 23.7% 44.4%
2008 24% 44.3%
2007 24.6% 44.2%
2006 25.3% 44.1%
2005 26.2% 44%
2004 27.4% 43.9%
2003 28.7% 43.8%
2002 30.1% 43.8%
2001 31.7% 43.7%
2000 33.6% 43.7%
1999 35.4% 43.8%
1998 37.3% 43.9%
1997 39.1% 44.1%
1996 40.7% 44.2%
1995 42.1% 44.4%
1994 43.2% 44.6%
1993 43.6% 44.8%
1992 43.6% 45%
1991 43.9% 45.2%
1990 44.1% 45.3%
1989 44.2% 45.5%
1988 44% 45.5%
1987 43.9% 45.6%
1986 43.7% 45.6%
1985 43.5% 45.5%
1984 43.3% 45.4%
1983 43% 45.2%
1982 42.7% 45%
1981 42.9% 44.8%
1980 43.3% 44.6%
1979 43.1% 44.4%
1978 43% 44.2%
1977 42.9% 43.9%
1976 43% 43.7%
1975 43.2% 43.4%
1974 43.5% 43.2%
1973 43.8% 43%
1972 44.2% 42.8%
1971 44.4% 42.5%
1970 44.6% 42.4%
1969 44.7% 42.2%
1968 44.8% 42%
1967 44.8% 41.8%
1966 44.9% 41.7%
1965 45% 41.5%
1964 45% 41.4%
1963 44.9% 41.2%
1962 44.6% 41.1%
1961 44.1% 41.1%
1960 43.5% 41.1%

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/iran/nigeria | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 22.4% of the population in Iran and 41% in Nigeria in 2024, compared to 44.1% and 45.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iran and Nigeria compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Iran vs Nigeria

Iran
Nigeria
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iran Nigeria
2023 16 993
2022 21 1,016
2021 51 1,046
2020 34 1,065
2019 18 1,091
2018 19 1,118
2017 20 1,142
2016 21 1,155
2015 22 1,168
2014 23 1,155
2013 24 1,146
2012 25 1,124
2011 26 1,108
2010 27 1,094
2009 28 1,088
2008 30 1,081
2007 31 1,063
2006 32 1,067
2005 33 1,060
2004 34 1,075
2003 37 1,090
2002 38 1,117
2001 40 1,130
2000 43 1,136
1999 46 1,165
1998 50 1,189
1997 55 1,184
1996 59 1,185
1995 65 1,186
1994 71 1,193
1993 80 1,200
1992 86 1,246
1991 94 1,282
1990 107 1,285
1989 113 1,304
1988 126 1,332
1987 136 1,351
1986 148 1,363
1985 160 1,344

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 16 deaths per 100,000 live births in Iran, compared to 993 deaths in Nigeria.

Under-five mortality rates

Iran
Nigeria

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iran Nigeria
2023 1.18% 10.5%
2022 1.22% 10.8%
2021 1.26% 11.1%
2020 1.3% 11.4%
2019 1.35% 11.8%
2018 1.39% 12%
2017 1.45% 12.3%
2016 1.5% 12.5%
2015 1.55% 12.6%
2014 1.61% 12.8%
2013 1.68% 12.9%
2012 1.75% 13.1%
2011 1.84% 13.3%
2010 1.93% 13.5%
2009 2.04% 13.8%
2008 2.17% 14.1%
2007 2.32% 14.5%
2006 2.48% 15%
2005 2.65% 15.5%
2004 2.83% 16%
2003 3.02% 16.5%
2002 3.22% 17.1%
2001 3.42% 17.7%
2000 3.63% 18.2%
1999 3.83% 18.8%
1998 4.02% 19.3%
1997 4.21% 19.7%
1996 4.4% 20.1%
1995 4.59% 20.4%
1994 4.79% 20.6%
1993 5% 20.7%
1992 5.22% 20.8%
1991 5.48% 20.9%
1990 5.76% 21%
1989 6.07% 21%
1988 6.42% 21%
1987 6.8% 20.9%
1986 7.2% 20.9%
1985 7.64% 20.8%
1984 8.13% 20.7%
1983 8.67% 20.7%
1982 9.3% 20.8%
1981 10% 21%
1980 10.8% 21.3%
1979 11.7% 21.8%
1978 12.6% 22.3%
1977 13.5% 22.9%
1976 14.4% 23.6%
1975 15.3% 24.4%
1974 16.2% 25.2%
1973 17.1% 26.1%
1972 18% 26.9%
1971 18.9% 27.7%
1970 - 28.5%
1969 - 29.3%
1968 - 30%
1967 - 30.7%
1966 - 31.3%
1965 - 32%
1964 - 32.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1964–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iran/nigeria | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.18% in Iran and 10.5% in Nigeria. 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.