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Fertility & birth rates in Iraq and Malaysia

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has an annual birth rate of 25.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 12.4 for Malaysia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.25 in Iraq and 1.55 in Malaysia — 52.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.7% in Iraq and by 75.8% in Malaysia — in 1960, it was 5.3 and 6.41, respectively.

  • Iraq is ranked 51/196 by birth rate compared to 112/196 for Malaysia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Iraq — it's 31 in Malaysia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58 in Iraq vs 5.96 in Malaysia.
  • In Iraq, 25.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.5% in Malaysia.

Fertility rate in Iraq vs Malaysia by year

Iraq
Malaysia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq Malaysia
2023 3.25 1.55
2022 3.29 1.55
2021 3.36 1.56
2020 3.42 1.68
2019 3.48 1.78
2018 3.55 1.84
2017 3.64 1.89
2016 3.84 1.94
2015 4.08 2.01
2014 4.31 2.06
2013 4.44 2.07
2012 4.54 2.12
2011 4.59 2.15
2010 4.46 2.14
2009 4.38 2.22
2008 4.37 2.26
2007 4.4 2.25
2006 4.46 2.31
2005 4.45 2.39
2004 4.53 2.49
2003 4.58 2.6
2002 4.67 2.66
2001 4.8 2.81
2000 4.92 2.94
1999 5.04 3.07
1998 5.11 3.12
1997 5.19 3.23
1996 5.25 3.3
1995 5.36 3.32
1994 5.49 3.35
1993 5.61 3.36
1992 5.72 3.37
1991 5.83 3.34
1990 5.93 3.3
1989 5.99 3.31
1988 6.05 3.5
1987 6.11 3.57
1986 6.18 3.7
1985 6.25 3.8
1984 6.32 3.89
1983 6.39 3.93
1982 6.46 3.97
1981 6.53 4
1980 6.59 4.04
1979 6.66 4.09
1978 6.73 4.18
1977 6.8 4.28
1976 6.86 4.4
1975 6.91 4.5
1974 6.95 4.62
1973 6.99 4.73
1972 7.02 4.82
1971 7.06 4.92
1970 7.07 5.04
1969 7.08 5.16
1968 7.06 5.29
1967 7.03 5.43
1966 7.02 5.64
1965 7.02 5.84
1964 7.01 6.03
1963 7.01 6.19
1962 6.99 6.3
1961 5.8 6.37
1960 5.3 6.41

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/malaysia | 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 1.55 in Malaysia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Iraq
Malaysia
1x
Year Natural population change
Iraq Malaysia
2023 973,420 254,806
2022 962,501 237,560
2021 941,924 212,002
2020 919,953 283,282
2019 942,972 309,426
2018 938,310 324,568
2017 924,507 336,434
2016 946,968 345,681
2015 1,007,561 358,302
2014 1,040,726 367,587
2013 1,026,036 366,738
2012 999,987 371,497
2011 971,082 372,836
2010 906,369 360,260
2009 855,096 366,157
2008 802,382 362,380
2007 784,119 348,711
2006 797,342 349,509
2005 776,603 355,324
2004 761,563 365,138
2003 746,159 377,425
2002 739,419 381,084
2001 729,704 400,939
2000 715,771 417,371
1999 702,170 432,355
1998 684,152 436,316
1997 667,582 447,768
1996 652,866 450,174
1995 642,977 443,349
1994 634,344 437,873
1993 606,700 429,910
1992 591,886 418,900
1991 550,146 401,938
1990 518,575 384,518
1989 496,852 373,277
1988 476,778 386,507
1987 488,742 381,999
1986 474,348 385,799
1985 467,445 383,243
1984 455,740 376,797
1983 439,800 365,290
1982 428,336 353,138
1981 416,998 339,991
1980 419,653 326,947
1979 428,458 317,439
1978 418,756 311,027
1977 410,229 305,515
1976 402,260 300,615
1975 385,916 294,541
1974 376,197 289,880
1973 373,191 284,611
1972 362,334 276,263
1971 351,464 272,323
1970 338,030 269,341
1969 324,792 264,327
1968 310,644 260,705
1967 298,192 258,764
1966 285,507 262,162
1965 274,551 264,836
1964 262,825 266,406
1963 254,046 265,815
1962 247,520 262,140
1961 184,792 257,270
1960 155,651 251,090

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/malaysia | 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 +0.73% in Malaysia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.37% in Iraq and +0.92% in Malaysia.

Birth rate in Iraq vs Malaysia by year

Iraq
Malaysia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iraq Malaysia
2023 25.7 12.4
2022 26 12.4
2021 26.4 12.4
2020 26.8 13.4
2019 27.3 14.2
2018 27.7 14.8
2017 28.3 15.3
2016 29.8 15.8
2015 31.6 16.3
2014 33.3 16.7
2013 34.1 16.8
2012 34.8 17
2011 35.5 17.2
2010 34.6 16.9
2009 33.9 17.3
2008 33.6 17.4
2007 34.5 17.1
2006 35 17.4
2005 33.9 17.9
2004 34.3 18.7
2003 34.5 19.6
2002 34.8 20.1
2001 35.5 21.4
2000 36.1 22.6
1999 36.7 23.8
1998 37 24.4
1997 37.3 25.4
1996 37.5 26.1
1995 38 26.3
1994 38.6 26.6
1993 38.6 26.8
1992 39.5 26.8
1991 40 26.5
1990 40.6 26.2
1989 39.6 26.3
1988 39.4 27.8
1987 39 28.3
1986 39 29.4
1985 39.5 30.1
1984 39.6 30.6
1983 39.6 30.7
1982 39.9 30.8
1981 40.2 30.8
1980 40.5 30.7
1979 41 30.8
1978 41.4 31
1977 42.1 31.3
1976 42.8 31.7
1975 43.4 32
1974 44 32.3
1973 44.4 32.7
1972 44.9 32.7
1971 45.4 33.2
1970 45.6 33.7
1969 45.9 34
1968 46 34.5
1967 46.1 35.1
1966 46.4 36.4
1965 46.7 37.7
1964 47.1 39.1
1963 47.5 40.4
1962 47.9 41.3
1961 40 42.2
1960 36.7 42.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 25.7 in Iraq and 12.4 in Malaysia, compared with 36.7 and 42.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iraq Malaysia
Fertility rate 3.25 1.55
Fertility rate rank 49/196 133/196
Birth rate 25.7 12.4
Birth rate rank 51/196 112/196
Population change due to births and deaths +973,420 +254,806
Natural population change rank 20/196 54/196
Natural population change rate +2.16% +0.73%
Population growth +2.15% +1.23%
Population growth rank 46/197 89/197
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 31 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56 5.24
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 162.2 66
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 44.9 25.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.3% 26.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 36.1% 34.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 95.6% 99.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.03%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.29% 0.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.08% 0.68%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 2.26% 0.81%
Life expectancy 72.6 years 77.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
Malaysia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iraq Malaysia
2100 18.2% 13.3%
2099 18.3% 13.3%
2098 18.4% 13.4%
2097 18.5% 13.4%
2096 18.6% 13.4%
2095 18.8% 13.4%
2094 18.9% 13.5%
2093 19% 13.5%
2092 19.1% 13.5%
2091 19.2% 13.6%
2090 19.4% 13.6%
2089 19.5% 13.7%
2088 19.7% 13.7%
2087 19.8% 13.7%
2086 19.9% 13.8%
2085 20.1% 13.8%
2084 20.3% 13.8%
2083 20.4% 13.9%
2082 20.6% 13.9%
2081 20.8% 13.9%
2080 20.9% 13.9%
2079 21.1% 13.9%
2078 21.3% 13.9%
2077 21.5% 13.9%
2076 21.6% 13.9%
2075 21.8% 13.9%
2074 22% 13.9%
2073 22.2% 13.9%
2072 22.3% 13.9%
2071 22.5% 13.9%
2070 22.7% 13.9%
2069 22.8% 14%
2068 23% 14%
2067 23.2% 14.1%
2066 23.4% 14.1%
2065 23.6% 14.2%
2064 23.8% 14.3%
2063 24% 14.4%
2062 24.2% 14.5%
2061 24.4% 14.6%
2060 24.6% 14.8%
2059 24.9% 14.9%
2058 25.1% 15.1%
2057 25.4% 15.2%
2056 25.7% 15.4%
2055 26% 15.5%
2054 26.3% 15.7%
2053 26.6% 15.8%
2052 26.9% 16%
2051 27.2% 16.1%
2050 27.5% 16.2%
2049 27.8% 16.3%
2048 28.1% 16.4%
2047 28.4% 16.5%
2046 28.7% 16.6%
2045 29% 16.7%
2044 29.3% 16.8%
2043 29.5% 16.9%
2042 29.8% 16.9%
2041 30% 17%
2040 30.3% 17.1%
2039 30.5% 17.1%
2038 30.7% 17.2%
2037 31% 17.3%
2036 31.2% 17.3%
2035 31.5% 17.5%
2034 31.7% 17.7%
2033 32% 18%
2032 32.3% 18.3%
2031 32.7% 18.7%
2030 33.2% 19.2%
2029 33.7% 19.7%
2028 34.4% 20.1%
2027 35.1% 20.6%
2026 35.7% 21.1%
2025 36.3% 21.6%
2024 36.6% 21.8%
2023 37.1% 22.3%
2022 37.6% 22.8%
2021 38.1% 23.4%
2020 38.5% 24%
2019 38.9% 24.5%
2018 39.3% 24.9%
2017 39.7% 25.2%
2016 40.1% 25.5%
2015 40.4% 25.8%
2014 40.6% 26.2%
2013 40.8% 26.6%
2012 41% 27%
2011 41.1% 27.4%
2010 41.2% 27.9%
2009 41.5% 28.6%
2008 41.8% 29.4%
2007 42.1% 30%
2006 42.3% 30.7%
2005 42.6% 31.4%
2004 42.9% 32%
2003 43.1% 32.6%
2002 43.3% 33.2%
2001 43.5% 33.7%
2000 43.7% 34.2%
1999 43.8% 34.6%
1998 44% 35%
1997 44.1% 35.3%
1996 44.3% 35.5%
1995 44.4% 35.7%
1994 44.6% 36%
1993 44.7% 36.3%
1992 44.9% 36.6%
1991 45% 36.9%
1990 45.2% 37.2%
1989 45.4% 37.5%
1988 45.6% 37.7%
1987 45.8% 37.9%
1986 46% 38%
1985 46.2% 38.1%
1984 46.3% 38.2%
1983 46.5% 38.4%
1982 46.6% 38.6%
1981 46.7% 38.8%
1980 46.8% 39.2%
1979 47% 39.6%
1978 47.1% 40.1%
1977 47.3% 40.6%
1976 47.2% 41.1%
1975 46.7% 41.7%
1974 46.2% 42.2%
1973 45.5% 42.8%
1972 44.7% 43.4%
1971 44.1% 44%
1970 43.6% 44.5%
1969 43.3% 45%
1968 43% 45.5%
1967 42.8% 45.9%
1966 42.5% 46.2%
1965 42.1% 46.5%
1964 41.5% 46.6%
1963 41% 46.5%
1962 40.4% 46.3%
1961 39.9% 45.9%
1960 39.8% 45.4%

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/malaysia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.6% of the population in Iraq and 21.8% in Malaysia in 2024, compared to 45.2% and 37.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iraq and Malaysia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Iraq vs Malaysia

Iraq
Malaysia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iraq Malaysia
2023 66 26
2022 59 38
2021 77 52
2020 63 29
2019 74 28
2018 76 29
2017 81 29
2016 87 30
2015 86 30
2014 90 30
2013 96 29
2012 100 29
2011 105 29
2010 107 29
2009 107 29
2008 109 29
2007 117 30
2006 120 30
2005 118 31
2004 122 33
2003 125 34
2002 128 34
2001 137 36
2000 146 37
1999 156 38
1998 163 39
1997 165 40
1996 158 42
1995 152 43
1994 142 44
1993 132 46
1992 126 48
1991 157 49
1990 195 51
1989 190 52
1988 174 55
1987 145 56
1986 147 59
1985 152 63

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/malaysia | 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 26 deaths in Malaysia.

Under-five mortality rates

Iraq
Malaysia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iraq Malaysia
2023 2.26% 0.81%
2022 2.33% 0.81%
2021 2.41% 0.81%
2020 2.49% 0.81%
2019 2.57% 0.82%
2018 2.66% 0.82%
2017 2.75% 0.82%
2016 2.84% 0.82%
2015 2.94% 0.81%
2014 3.04% 0.81%
2013 3.14% 0.81%
2012 3.24% 0.8%
2011 3.35% 0.81%
2010 3.46% 0.81%
2009 3.56% 0.82%
2008 3.67% 0.82%
2007 3.78% 0.82%
2006 3.88% 0.83%
2005 3.97% 0.83%
2004 4.07% 0.84%
2003 4.16% 0.85%
2002 4.24% 0.88%
2001 4.33% 0.93%
2000 4.43% 1%
1999 4.52% 1.07%
1998 4.61% 1.15%
1997 4.71% 1.23%
1996 4.8% 1.29%
1995 4.89% 1.34%
1994 4.98% 1.39%
1993 5.07% 1.45%
1992 5.17% 1.51%
1991 6.49% 1.58%
1990 7.97% 1.66%
1989 8.12% 1.74%
1988 6.92% 1.83%
1987 5.75% 1.93%
1986 5.91% 2.05%
1985 6.09% 2.18%
1984 6.28% 2.32%
1983 6.49% 2.47%
1982 6.71% 2.65%
1981 6.96% 2.84%
1980 7.23% 3.04%
1979 7.52% 3.25%
1978 7.83% 3.48%
1977 8.17% 3.71%
1976 8.54% 3.97%
1975 8.93% 4.23%
1974 9.35% 4.5%
1973 9.79% 4.79%
1972 10.3% 5.06%
1971 10.7% 5.32%
1970 11.2% 5.56%
1969 11.8% 5.79%
1968 12.4% 6.02%
1967 13% 6.27%
1966 13.6% 6.56%
1965 14.4% 6.89%
1964 15.1% 7.28%
1963 16% 7.74%
1962 16.9% 8.25%
1961 17.9% 8.83%
1960 19% 9.46%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 2.26% in Iraq and 0.81% in Malaysia. 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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