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Fertility & birth rates in Iraq and Kuwait

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has an annual birth rate of 25.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 10.3 for Kuwait. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.25 in Iraq and 1.52 in Kuwait — 53.1% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.7% in Iraq and by 78.9% in Kuwait — in 1960, it was 5.3 and 7.22, respectively.

  • Iraq is ranked 51/196 by birth rate compared to 141/196 for Kuwait.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Iraq — it's 30.4 in Kuwait.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58 in Iraq vs 1.58 in Kuwait.
  • In Iraq, 25.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.4% in Kuwait.

Fertility rate in Iraq vs Kuwait by year

Iraq
Kuwait
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq Kuwait
2023 3.25 1.52
2022 3.29 1.55
2021 3.36 2.15
2020 3.42 2.03
2019 3.48 2.08
2018 3.55 2.12
2017 3.64 2.16
2016 3.84 2.06
2015 4.08 2.03
2014 4.31 2.06
2013 4.44 1.97
2012 4.54 1.99
2011 4.59 1.96
2010 4.46 2.04
2009 4.38 2.15
2008 4.37 2.27
2007 4.4 2.41
2006 4.46 2.59
2005 4.45 2.73
2004 4.53 2.76
2003 4.58 2.77
2002 4.67 2.8
2001 4.8 2.84
2000 4.92 2.89
1999 5.04 2.95
1998 5.11 3.04
1997 5.19 3.14
1996 5.25 3.22
1995 5.36 3.25
1994 5.49 3.27
1993 5.61 3.31
1992 5.72 3.35
1991 5.83 3.4
1990 5.93 3.49
1989 5.99 3.59
1988 6.05 3.7
1987 6.11 3.83
1986 6.18 4
1985 6.25 4.22
1984 6.32 4.45
1983 6.39 4.66
1982 6.46 4.85
1981 6.53 5.02
1980 6.59 5.18
1979 6.66 5.33
1978 6.73 5.52
1977 6.8 5.71
1976 6.86 5.9
1975 6.91 6.06
1974 6.95 6.23
1973 6.99 6.43
1972 7.02 6.64
1971 7.06 6.84
1970 7.07 7.03
1969 7.08 7.18
1968 7.06 7.28
1967 7.03 7.33
1966 7.02 7.34
1965 7.02 7.31
1964 7.01 7.29
1963 7.01 7.28
1962 6.99 7.25
1961 5.8 7.25
1960 5.3 7.22

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Iraq was 3.25 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.52 in Kuwait in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Iraq vs Kuwait population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Iraq
Kuwait
1x
Year Natural population change
Iraq Kuwait
2023 973,420 42,568
2022 962,501 41,752
2021 941,924 42,057
2020 919,953 41,083
2019 942,972 46,268
2018 938,310 47,222
2017 924,507 51,498
2016 946,968 51,397
2015 1,007,561 52,127
2014 1,040,726 54,673
2013 1,026,036 52,666
2012 999,987 53,181
2011 971,082 50,733
2010 906,369 49,838
2009 855,096 48,879
2008 802,382 47,505
2007 784,119 46,539
2006 797,342 45,911
2005 776,603 45,243
2004 761,563 44,341
2003 746,159 42,934
2002 739,419 41,651
2001 729,704 40,662
2000 715,771 39,811
1999 702,170 39,342
1998 684,152 39,324
1997 667,582 39,581
1996 652,866 39,920
1995 642,977 39,198
1994 634,344 36,533
1993 606,700 33,239
1992 591,886 32,016
1991 550,146 21,867
1990 518,575 46,720
1989 496,852 49,390
1988 476,778 50,037
1987 488,742 50,690
1986 474,348 51,824
1985 467,445 51,772
1984 455,740 52,539
1983 439,800 51,460
1982 428,336 49,981
1981 416,998 48,098
1980 419,653 47,096
1979 428,458 45,569
1978 418,756 44,277
1977 410,229 42,922
1976 402,260 41,439
1975 385,916 39,295
1974 376,197 37,425
1973 373,191 35,741
1972 362,334 34,045
1971 351,464 32,339
1970 338,030 30,789
1969 324,792 28,774
1968 310,644 26,161
1967 298,192 23,520
1966 285,507 20,914
1965 274,551 18,952
1964 262,825 17,064
1963 254,046 15,357
1962 247,520 13,730
1961 184,792 12,327
1960 155,651 11,054

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/kuwait | 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 +2.16% in Iraq and +0.88% in Kuwait.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.37% in Iraq and +1.12% in Kuwait.

Birth rate in Iraq vs Kuwait by year

Iraq
Kuwait

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iraq Kuwait
2023 25.7 10.3
2022 26 10.8
2021 26.4 12.2
2020 26.8 11.7
2019 27.3 12.1
2018 27.7 12.8
2017 28.3 14.3
2016 29.8 14.7
2015 31.6 15.4
2014 33.3 16.7
2013 34.1 16.8
2012 34.8 17.8
2011 35.5 18.1
2010 34.6 18.9
2009 33.9 19.5
2008 33.6 20
2007 34.5 20.6
2006 35 21.5
2005 33.9 22.3
2004 34.3 22.6
2003 34.5 22.4
2002 34.8 22.3
2001 35.5 22.3
2000 36.1 22.4
1999 36.7 22.7
1998 37 23.3
1997 37.3 24.1
1996 37.5 25
1995 38 25.4
1994 38.6 24.3
1993 38.6 22.4
1992 39.5 21.9
1991 40 18.8
1990 40.6 31.9
1989 39.6 24.5
1988 39.4 25.7
1987 39 27
1986 39 28.7
1985 39.5 29.9
1984 39.6 31.6
1983 39.6 32.4
1982 39.9 33.1
1981 40.2 33.6
1980 40.5 34.7
1979 41 35.6
1978 41.4 36.8
1977 42.1 38.1
1976 42.8 39.3
1975 43.4 39.9
1974 44 40.5
1973 44.4 41.2
1972 44.9 41.9
1971 45.4 42.5
1970 45.6 43.4
1969 45.9 44
1968 46 44
1967 46.1 43.7
1966 46.4 43.2
1965 46.7 43.6
1964 47.1 43.8
1963 47.5 44.3
1962 47.9 44.7
1961 40 45.3
1960 36.7 45.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 25.7 in Iraq and 10.3 in Kuwait, compared with 36.7 and 45.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iraq Kuwait
Fertility rate 3.25 1.52
Fertility rate rank 49/196 136/196
Birth rate 25.7 10.3
Birth rate rank 51/196 141/196
Population change due to births and deaths +973,420 +42,568
Natural population change rank 20/196 100/196
Natural population change rate +2.16% +0.88%
Population growth +2.15% +0.9%
Population growth rank 46/197 106/197
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 30.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56 1.18
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 162.2 77.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 44.9 25.3
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.3% 23.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 36.1% 39.3%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 95.6% 99.9%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.008%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.29% 0.48%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.08% 0.76%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 2.26% 0.88%
Life expectancy 72.6 years 81 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
Kuwait
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iraq Kuwait
2100 18.2% 18.1%
2099 18.3% 18%
2098 18.4% 18%
2097 18.5% 18%
2096 18.6% 18%
2095 18.8% 18%
2094 18.9% 17.9%
2093 19% 17.9%
2092 19.1% 17.9%
2091 19.2% 17.9%
2090 19.4% 17.9%
2089 19.5% 17.9%
2088 19.7% 17.9%
2087 19.8% 17.9%
2086 19.9% 17.9%
2085 20.1% 17.9%
2084 20.3% 17.9%
2083 20.4% 17.9%
2082 20.6% 17.9%
2081 20.8% 17.9%
2080 20.9% 17.9%
2079 21.1% 17.8%
2078 21.3% 17.8%
2077 21.5% 17.8%
2076 21.6% 17.8%
2075 21.8% 17.7%
2074 22% 17.7%
2073 22.2% 17.7%
2072 22.3% 17.6%
2071 22.5% 17.6%
2070 22.7% 17.5%
2069 22.8% 17.5%
2068 23% 17.5%
2067 23.2% 17.4%
2066 23.4% 17.4%
2065 23.6% 17.4%
2064 23.8% 17.4%
2063 24% 17.3%
2062 24.2% 17.3%
2061 24.4% 17.3%
2060 24.6% 17.4%
2059 24.9% 17.4%
2058 25.1% 17.4%
2057 25.4% 17.4%
2056 25.7% 17.5%
2055 26% 17.5%
2054 26.3% 17.5%
2053 26.6% 17.6%
2052 26.9% 17.6%
2051 27.2% 17.7%
2050 27.5% 17.7%
2049 27.8% 17.7%
2048 28.1% 17.7%
2047 28.4% 17.7%
2046 28.7% 17.7%
2045 29% 17.7%
2044 29.3% 17.7%
2043 29.5% 17.6%
2042 29.8% 17.6%
2041 30% 17.5%
2040 30.3% 17.4%
2039 30.5% 17.4%
2038 30.7% 17.3%
2037 31% 17.3%
2036 31.2% 17.2%
2035 31.5% 17.2%
2034 31.7% 17.1%
2033 32% 17.1%
2032 32.3% 17.1%
2031 32.7% 17.1%
2030 33.2% 17.2%
2029 33.7% 17.3%
2028 34.4% 17.5%
2027 35.1% 17.7%
2026 35.7% 17.9%
2025 36.3% 18.1%
2024 36.6% 18.2%
2023 37.1% 18.6%
2022 37.6% 19.2%
2021 38.1% 20.1%
2020 38.5% 20.6%
2019 38.9% 20.8%
2018 39.3% 21.1%
2017 39.7% 21.4%
2016 40.1% 21.6%
2015 40.4% 21.8%
2014 40.6% 21.9%
2013 40.8% 22%
2012 41% 22.1%
2011 41.1% 22.5%
2010 41.2% 23%
2009 41.5% 23.3%
2008 41.8% 23.7%
2007 42.1% 24.1%
2006 42.3% 24.5%
2005 42.6% 24.9%
2004 42.9% 25.6%
2003 43.1% 26.4%
2002 43.3% 27.4%
2001 43.5% 28.3%
2000 43.7% 29.4%
1999 43.8% 30.4%
1998 44% 31.4%
1997 44.1% 32.3%
1996 44.3% 33%
1995 44.4% 33.4%
1994 44.6% 33.4%
1993 44.7% 33.8%
1992 44.9% 34.6%
1991 45% 35.1%
1990 45.2% 36%
1989 45.4% 36.5%
1988 45.6% 36.6%
1987 45.8% 36.7%
1986 46% 36.6%
1985 46.2% 36.8%
1984 46.3% 37.1%
1983 46.5% 37.5%
1982 46.6% 38.1%
1981 46.7% 38.8%
1980 46.8% 39.3%
1979 47% 39.9%
1978 47.1% 40.6%
1977 47.3% 41.4%
1976 47.2% 42.3%
1975 46.7% 43%
1974 46.2% 43.3%
1973 45.5% 43.6%
1972 44.7% 43.8%
1971 44.1% 43.9%
1970 43.6% 43.6%
1969 43.3% 43%
1968 43% 42.3%
1967 42.8% 41.5%
1966 42.5% 40.7%
1965 42.1% 40%
1964 41.5% 39.5%
1963 41% 39%
1962 40.4% 38.3%
1961 39.9% 37.8%
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/kuwait | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.6% of the population in Iraq and 18.2% in Kuwait in 2024, compared to 45.2% and 36% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iraq and Kuwait compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Iraq vs Kuwait

Iraq
Kuwait
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iraq Kuwait
2023 66 8
2022 59 8
2021 77 75
2020 63 33
2019 74 7
2018 76 8
2017 81 8
2016 87 8
2015 86 8
2014 90 8
2013 96 8
2012 100 8
2011 105 8
2010 107 9
2009 107 9
2008 109 9
2007 117 10
2006 120 10
2005 118 10
2004 122 11
2003 125 11
2002 128 11
2001 137 11
2000 146 11
1999 156 11
1998 163 11
1997 165 11
1996 158 11
1995 152 10
1994 142 10
1993 132 10
1992 126 10
1991 157 8
1990 195 16
1989 190 10
1988 174 10
1987 145 10
1986 147 11
1985 152 11

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 66 deaths per 100,000 live births in Iraq, compared to 8 deaths in Kuwait.

Under-five mortality rates

Iraq
Kuwait

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iraq Kuwait
2023 2.26% 0.88%
2022 2.33% 0.88%
2021 2.41% 0.89%
2020 2.49% 0.89%
2019 2.57% 0.89%
2018 2.66% 0.89%
2017 2.75% 0.89%
2016 2.84% 0.9%
2015 2.94% 0.91%
2014 3.04% 0.93%
2013 3.14% 0.96%
2012 3.24% 0.99%
2011 3.35% 1.03%
2010 3.46% 1.07%
2009 3.56% 1.1%
2008 3.67% 1.12%
2007 3.78% 1.14%
2006 3.88% 1.16%
2005 3.97% 1.17%
2004 4.07% 1.19%
2003 4.16% 1.21%
2002 4.24% 1.23%
2001 4.33% 1.25%
2000 4.43% 1.27%
1999 4.52% 1.3%
1998 4.61% 1.34%
1997 4.71% 1.38%
1996 4.8% 1.42%
1995 4.89% 1.46%
1994 4.98% 1.49%
1993 5.07% 1.52%
1992 5.17% 1.57%
1991 6.49% 1.64%
1990 7.97% 1.73%
1989 8.12% 1.83%
1988 6.92% 1.93%
1987 5.75% 2.04%
1986 5.91% 2.16%
1985 6.09% 2.3%
1984 6.28% 2.48%
1983 6.49% 2.72%
1982 6.71% 3%
1981 6.96% 3.29%
1980 7.23% 3.59%
1979 7.52% 3.89%
1978 7.83% 4.19%
1977 8.17% 4.49%
1976 8.54% 4.8%
1975 8.93% 5.12%
1974 9.35% 5.45%
1973 9.79% 5.8%
1972 10.3% 6.17%
1971 10.7% 6.57%
1970 11.2% 7%
1969 11.8% 7.47%
1968 12.4% 7.98%
1967 13% 8.55%
1966 13.6% 9.17%
1965 14.4% 9.86%
1964 15.1% 10.6%
1963 16% 11.4%
1962 16.9% 12.3%
1961 17.9% 13.2%
1960 19% 14.2%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 2.26% in Iraq and 0.88% in Kuwait. 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)

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