Iraq birth & fertility rate decline on charts

Iraq has a birth rate of 25.7 (annual births per 1,000 people) and a fertility rate of 3.25 (the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime based on current age-specific birth rates).

In 1960, the fertility rate in Iraq was 5.3 children per woman — 1.63 times higher than in 2023.

Iraq birth rate statistics:

Iraq is ranked 51/196 by birth rate now and was ranked 130/194 in 1960.
The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6, a change from 30.6 in 1990.
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) changed from 83.1 in 1960 to 58 in 2023.
25.3% of the population in 2024 is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), a change from 23.4% in 1960.

Fertility rate in Iraq by year

1x

Year	Fertility rate	Rank
2023	3.25	49
2022	3.29	49
2021	3.36	48
2020	3.42	48
2019	3.48	48
2018	3.55	48
2017	3.64	48
2016	3.84	47
2015	4.08	41
2014	4.31	39
2013	4.44	38
2012	4.54	38
2011	4.59	38
2010	4.46	41
2009	4.38	44
2008	4.37	44
2007	4.4	43
2006	4.46	43
2005	4.45	44
2004	4.53	43
2003	4.58	44
2002	4.67	44
2001	4.8	42
2000	4.92	42
1999	5.04	42
1998	5.11	42
1997	5.19	42
1996	5.25	42
1995	5.36	42
1994	5.49	43
1993	5.61	44
1992	5.72	44
1991	5.83	44
1990	5.93	45
1989	5.99	42
1988	6.05	43
1987	6.11	46
1986	6.18	46
1985	6.25	48
1984	6.32	49
1983	6.39	48
1982	6.46	46
1981	6.53	44
1980	6.59	41
1979	6.66	38
1978	6.73	38
1977	6.8	37
1976	6.86	34
1975	6.91	33
1974	6.95	32
1973	6.99	31
1972	7.02	32
1971	7.06	30
1970	7.07	29
1969	7.08	29
1968	7.06	31
1967	7.03	32
1966	7.02	33
1965	7.02	36
1964	7.01	37
1963	7.01	37
1962	6.99	38
1961	5.8	118
1960	5.3	130

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

According to the latest birth rate data available, the fertility rate in Iraq is 3.25, which is above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. In 1993, the fertility rate was 5.61 — a 42.1% decline in 30 years.

Check population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

The chart above shows the historical changes in fertility rate and ranking compared to other countries, where a lower rank number indicates a higher relative fertility rate.

Births, deaths, and natural population change by year

1x

Year	People
Year	Natural change	Births	Deaths
2023	973,420	1,159,665	186,245
2022	962,501	1,146,010	183,509
2021	941,924	1,139,147	197,223
2020	919,953	1,130,409	210,456
2019	942,972	1,122,569	179,597
2018	938,310	1,113,908	175,598
2017	924,507	1,113,404	188,897
2016	946,968	1,147,010	200,042
2015	1,007,561	1,185,485	177,924
2014	1,040,726	1,218,176	177,450
2013	1,026,036	1,204,527	178,491
2012	999,987	1,172,299	172,312
2011	971,082	1,141,505	170,423
2010	906,369	1,074,293	167,924
2009	855,096	1,019,814	164,718
2008	802,382	974,846	172,464
2007	784,119	979,595	195,476
2006	797,342	1,000,547	203,205
2005	776,603	964,262	187,659
2004	761,563	947,134	185,571
2003	746,159	925,334	179,175
2002	739,419	904,794	165,375
2001	729,704	895,707	166,003
2000	715,771	881,879	166,108
1999	702,170	867,436	165,266
1998	684,152	846,631	162,479
1997	667,582	828,118	160,536
1996	652,866	806,385	153,519
1995	642,977	791,944	148,967
1994	634,344	777,799	143,455
1993	606,700	740,743	134,043
1992	591,886	722,480	130,594
1991	550,146	709,926	159,780
1990	518,575	713,603	195,028
1989	496,852	688,243	191,391
1988	476,778	665,784	189,006
1987	488,742	644,254	155,512
1986	474,348	627,325	152,977
1985	467,445	620,185	152,740
1984	455,740	606,305	150,565
1983	439,800	588,012	148,212
1982	428,336	575,148	146,812
1981	416,998	562,608	145,610
1980	419,653	549,918	130,265
1979	428,458	539,510	111,052
1978	418,756	528,511	109,755
1977	410,229	518,902	108,673
1976	402,260	510,252	107,992
1975	385,916	501,190	115,274
1974	376,197	490,923	114,726
1973	373,191	479,584	106,393
1972	362,334	468,481	106,147
1971	351,464	457,079	105,615
1970	338,030	444,362	106,332
1969	324,792	431,924	107,132
1968	310,644	417,810	107,166
1967	298,192	404,600	106,408
1966	285,507	393,496	107,989
1965	274,551	383,409	108,858
1964	262,825	373,339	110,514
1963	254,046	364,126	110,080
1962	247,520	355,050	107,530
1961	184,792	288,105	103,313
1960	155,651	257,730	102,079

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

Over the past 10 years, the natural population change in Iraq (from births and deaths only, excluding migration) has been +2.37% annually. On average, 959,884 more people were born each year than died.

Excluding migration, the natural population change due to births and deaths from 2022 to 2023 was 2.16% — 973,420 more people were born than died.

In 2023, Iraq ranks 20/196 for absolute natural population change and 39/196 for natural change rate, where a lower rank number indicates faster natural growth and a higher number indicates greater decline.

Birth rates in Iraq compared to other countries

	Iraq	Rank
Fertility rate	3.25	49/196
Birth rate	25.7	51/196
Population change due to births and deaths	+973,420	20/196
Natural population change rate	+2.16%	39/196
Population growth	+2.15%	46/197
Average age at childbearing	28.6 years	130/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19	56	55/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29	162.2	50/197
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+	44.9	53/197
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population	25.3%	72/196
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49	36.1%	111/179
Share of births attended by skilled health staff	95.6%	117/191
Maternal mortality per live birth	0.07%	83/193
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age)	1.29%	67/193
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age)	2.08%	67/196
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age	2.26%	72/192
Life expectancy	72.6 years	118/197

Birth rates by women's age

Annual births per 1,000 women

1x

Year	Annual births per 1,000 women
Year	Total	15-19	20-29	30+
2026	50.1	56	162.2	44.9
2025	50.6	57.1	163.7	45.9
2024	51.2	58.1	165.6	46.9
2023	51.5	58.7	166.4	47.6
2022	52	59.7	168.4	48.5
2021	52.8	61	171.2	49.6
2020	53.6	62.3	174	50.7
2019	54.4	63.6	176.8	52
2018	55.2	65.2	179.5	53.5
2017	56.4	67.1	183.4	55.5
2016	59.4	71.8	191.9	59.5
2015	62.8	77.2	202.2	64
2014	66.3	83.2	211.7	68.7
2013	67.9	86.7	217	71.7
2012	69.2	89.5	221.3	74.1
2011	70.5	90.6	223	75.6
2010	68.7	86.6	217.4	73.9
2009	67.3	82	213.8	73.6
2008	66.7	80.4	212.1	74.7
2007	68.4	80.7	210.5	76.7
2006	69.3	79.7	209.7	79.5
2005	67.3	74.5	208.5	80.7
2004	68.1	70.6	211	83.6
2003	68.5	65.3	211.1	86.4
2002	69	61.6	212.5	89.5
2001	70.4	59.7	215.4	93.1
2000	71.5	60	217.7	95.8
1999	72.6	61.9	220.6	97.3
1998	73.1	63.7	221.8	97.9
1997	73.7	65.1	224.2	98.3
1996	73.9	67.1	226.1	97.9
1995	74.9	70.5	230.3	98.3
1994	76	72.6	235.3	99.2
1993	75.8	73.3	240.1	99.9
1992	77.5	73	243.9	100.5
1991	78.4	74.2	249.3	101.2
1990	79.6	73.5	252.2	103
1989	77.7	71.8	252.6	104.8
1988	77.3	68.3	252	107.7
1987	76.6	59.7	252.8	111.7
1986	76.7	68.8	254.7	111.2
1985	77.8	77.8	260.2	109.3
1984	77.9	86.7	265.4	107.6
1983	78	87	269.7	107.4
1982	78.7	88.6	278.3	106.3
1981	79.2	90.2	283.5	105.2
1980	79.8	90.6	288.6	104.5
1979	80.8	90.1	294.2	104.3
1978	81.7	91.5	296.4	104.1
1977	82.9	95.3	300	103.8
1976	84.3	97.9	305	103.9
1975	85.6	103.6	308	103.7
1974	86.7	108	313	103.1
1973	87.6	109.1	316	102.8
1972	88.5	109.2	321	102.4
1971	89.3	111.5	323	101.9
1970	89.8	110.1	325	101.4
1969	90.3	110.6	327	100.8
1968	90.3	110.6	328	99.7
1967	90.4	112.1	326	98.7
1966	91	111.6	327	98.1
1965	91.7	112.1	329	97.6
1964	92.4	112	329	97.3
1963	93.1	112.9	329	97.2
1962	93.9	111.6	328	97.1
1961	78.5	92.3	272.3	80.7
1960	71.9	84.1	249	74.1

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

Above is a chart displaying birth rates in Iraq by maternal age. In 2026, of all live births, 11.4% will be to women under age 20, 55.4% to women ages 20-29, and 33.2% to women ages 30 and above. The respective shares in 1990 were 10.3%, 52.6%, and 37.1%.

Children 0-14 years as share of population by year

1x

Year	Children 0-14 as share of population
Year	Iraq	World
2100	18.2%	16.5%
2099	18.3%	16.6%
2098	18.4%	16.6%
2097	18.5%	16.7%
2096	18.6%	16.8%
2095	18.8%	16.8%
2094	18.9%	16.9%
2093	19%	17%
2092	19.1%	17%
2091	19.2%	17.1%
2090	19.4%	17.2%
2089	19.5%	17.2%
2088	19.7%	17.3%
2087	19.8%	17.4%
2086	19.9%	17.4%
2085	20.1%	17.5%
2084	20.3%	17.5%
2083	20.4%	17.6%
2082	20.6%	17.7%
2081	20.8%	17.7%
2080	20.9%	17.8%
2079	21.1%	17.8%
2078	21.3%	17.9%
2077	21.5%	17.9%
2076	21.6%	18%
2075	21.8%	18%
2074	22%	18.1%
2073	22.2%	18.2%
2072	22.3%	18.2%
2071	22.5%	18.3%
2070	22.7%	18.3%
2069	22.8%	18.4%
2068	23%	18.5%
2067	23.2%	18.6%
2066	23.4%	18.6%
2065	23.6%	18.7%
2064	23.8%	18.8%
2063	24%	18.9%
2062	24.2%	19.1%
2061	24.4%	19.2%
2060	24.6%	19.3%
2059	24.9%	19.4%
2058	25.1%	19.5%
2057	25.4%	19.6%
2056	25.7%	19.8%
2055	26%	19.9%
2054	26.3%	20%
2053	26.6%	20.1%
2052	26.9%	20.2%
2051	27.2%	20.3%
2050	27.5%	20.4%
2049	27.8%	20.5%
2048	28.1%	20.6%
2047	28.4%	20.7%
2046	28.7%	20.8%
2045	29%	20.9%
2044	29.3%	20.9%
2043	29.5%	21%
2042	29.8%	21.1%
2041	30%	21.2%
2040	30.3%	21.2%
2039	30.5%	21.3%
2038	30.7%	21.4%
2037	31%	21.5%
2036	31.2%	21.6%
2035	31.5%	21.8%
2034	31.7%	22%
2033	32%	22.2%
2032	32.3%	22.4%
2031	32.7%	22.7%
2030	33.2%	23%
2029	33.7%	23.3%
2028	34.4%	23.6%
2027	35.1%	23.9%
2026	35.7%	24.2%
2025	36.3%	24.6%
2024	36.6%	24.7%
2023	37.1%	25%
2022	37.6%	25.3%
2021	38.1%	25.6%
2020	38.5%	25.8%
2019	38.9%	26%
2018	39.3%	26.2%
2017	39.7%	26.4%
2016	40.1%	26.5%
2015	40.4%	26.6%
2014	40.6%	26.8%
2013	40.8%	26.9%
2012	41%	27%
2011	41.1%	27.1%
2010	41.2%	27.3%
2009	41.5%	27.5%
2008	41.8%	27.6%
2007	42.1%	27.9%
2006	42.3%	28.1%
2005	42.6%	28.5%
2004	42.9%	28.8%
2003	43.1%	29.2%
2002	43.3%	29.6%
2001	43.5%	30%
2000	43.7%	30.4%
1999	43.8%	30.8%
1998	44%	31.1%
1997	44.1%	31.5%
1996	44.3%	31.8%
1995	44.4%	32.1%
1994	44.6%	32.3%
1993	44.7%	32.5%
1992	44.9%	32.7%
1991	45%	32.9%
1990	45.2%	33%
1989	45.4%	33.2%
1988	45.6%	33.4%
1987	45.8%	33.6%
1986	46%	33.8%
1985	46.2%	34%
1984	46.3%	34.3%
1983	46.5%	34.6%
1982	46.6%	34.9%
1981	46.7%	35.2%
1980	46.8%	35.5%
1979	47%	35.9%
1978	47.1%	36.3%
1977	47.3%	36.7%
1976	47.2%	36.9%
1975	46.7%	37.1%
1974	46.2%	37.2%
1973	45.5%	37.3%
1972	44.7%	37.5%
1971	44.1%	37.6%
1970	43.6%	37.7%
1969	43.3%	37.8%
1968	43%	37.9%
1967	42.8%	38%
1966	42.5%	38%
1965	42.1%	38%
1964	41.5%	38%
1963	41%	37.8%
1962	40.4%	37.6%
1961	39.9%	37.5%
1960	39.8%	37.4%

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/iraq | CC BY

The share of children aged 0-14 in Iraq was 39.8% in 1960, 44.9% in 1992, and 36.6% as of the latest data in 2024.

More about the demographics of Iraq.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

Maternal mortality by year

1x

Year	Maternal mortality per 100K births
2023	66	197
2022	59	203
2021	77	242
2020	63	211
2019	74	207
2018	76	211
2017	81	215
2016	87	220
2015	86	228
2014	90	231
2013	96	235
2012	100	239
2011	105	247
2010	107	253
2009	107	258
2008	109	264
2007	117	269
2006	120	276
2005	118	283
2004	122	291
2003	125	301
2002	128	311
2001	137	321
2000	146	328
1999	156	340
1998	163	360
1997	165	358
1996	158	366
1995	152	371
1994	142	382
1993	132	389
1992	126	395
1991	157	395
1990	195	391
1989	190	401
1988	174	414
1987	145	429
1986	147	438
1985	152	460

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate in Iraq was 66 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 — a 0.07% chance of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination. This is a 54.8% decrease compared to the year 2000.

Under-five mortality by year

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x

Year	Under 5 mortality rate
Year	Iraq	World
2023	2.26%	2.49%
2022	2.33%	2.59%
2021	2.41%	2.66%
2020	2.49%	2.75%
2019	2.57%	2.86%
2018	2.66%	2.97%
2017	2.75%	3.11%
2016	2.84%	3.22%
2015	2.94%	3.35%
2014	3.04%	3.48%
2013	3.14%	3.61%
2012	3.24%	3.77%
2011	3.35%	3.97%
2010	3.46%	4.11%
2009	3.56%	4.31%
2008	3.67%	4.5%
2007	3.78%	4.7%
2006	3.88%	4.92%
2005	3.97%	5.16%
2004	4.07%	5.43%
2003	4.16%	5.65%
2002	4.24%	5.94%
2001	4.33%	6.21%
2000	4.43%	6.48%
1999	4.52%	6.75%
1998	4.61%	7.05%
1997	4.71%	7.28%
1996	4.8%	7.52%
1995	4.89%	7.76%
1994	4.98%	7.98%
1993	5.07%	8.19%
1992	5.17%	8.46%
1991	6.49%	8.66%
1990	7.97%	8.81%
1989	8.12%	9.02%
1988	6.92%	9.31%
1987	5.75%	9.47%
1986	5.91%	9.81%
1985	6.09%	10.1%
1984	6.28%	10.4%
1983	6.49%	10.6%
1982	6.71%	10.8%
1981	6.96%	11%
1980	7.23%	11.4%
1979	7.52%	11.7%
1978	7.83%	12.2%
1977	8.17%	12.6%
1976	8.54%	13%
1975	8.93%	13.4%
1974	9.35%	13.8%
1973	9.79%	14.1%
1972	10.3%	14.5%
1971	10.7%	15.1%
1970	11.2%	15.2%
1969	11.8%	15.4%
1968	12.4%	15.6%
1967	13%	15.9%
1966	13.6%	16.1%
1965	14.4%	16.4%
1964	15.1%	16.6%
1963	16%	16.5%
1962	16.9%	16.7%
1961	17.9%	17%
1960	19%	17.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq | CC BY

The under-5 mortality rate in Iraq was 22.6 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 — a 2.26% chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five. This is down from 44.3 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000.