Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in Iraq and Yemen

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has an annual birth rate of 25.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 35.2 for Yemen. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.25 in Iraq and 4.59 in Yemen — 41.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.7% in Iraq and by 42.5% in Yemen — in 1960, it was 5.3 and 7.99, respectively.

  • Iraq is ranked 51/196 by birth rate compared to 11/196 for Yemen.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Iraq — it's 29.7 in Yemen.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58 in Iraq vs 75.3 in Yemen.
  • In Iraq, 25.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.6% in Yemen.

Fertility rate in Iraq vs Yemen by year

Iraq
Yemen
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq Yemen
2023 3.25 4.59
2022 3.29 4.59
2021 3.36 4.6
2020 3.42 4.6
2019 3.48 4.6
2018 3.55 4.61
2017 3.64 4.61
2016 3.84 4.61
2015 4.08 4.62
2014 4.31 4.62
2013 4.44 4.62
2012 4.54 4.63
2011 4.59 4.63
2010 4.46 4.81
2009 4.38 5
2008 4.37 5.11
2007 4.4 5.26
2006 4.46 5.41
2005 4.45 5.56
2004 4.53 5.71
2003 4.58 5.84
2002 4.67 5.97
2001 4.8 6.14
2000 4.92 6.32
1999 5.04 6.49
1998 5.11 6.64
1997 5.19 6.82
1996 5.25 7
1995 5.36 7.53
1994 5.49 7.8
1993 5.61 8.05
1992 5.72 8.27
1991 5.83 8.46
1990 5.93 8.61
1989 5.99 8.71
1988 6.05 8.79
1987 6.11 8.83
1986 6.18 8.86
1985 6.25 8.86
1984 6.32 8.85
1983 6.39 8.83
1982 6.46 8.79
1981 6.53 8.75
1980 6.59 8.71
1979 6.66 8.67
1978 6.73 8.5
1977 6.8 8.47
1976 6.86 8.42
1975 6.91 8.37
1974 6.95 8.33
1973 6.99 8.29
1972 7.02 8.27
1971 7.06 8.26
1970 7.07 8.23
1969 7.08 8.22
1968 7.06 8.19
1967 7.03 8.17
1966 7.02 8.14
1965 7.02 8.1
1964 7.01 8.07
1963 7.01 8.03
1962 6.99 8.01
1961 5.8 8
1960 5.3 7.99

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/yemen | 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 4.59 in Yemen in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Iraq
Yemen
1x
Year Natural population change
Iraq Yemen
2023 973,420 1,198,150
2022 962,501 1,153,375
2021 941,924 1,103,622
2020 919,953 1,086,322
2019 942,972 1,056,432
2018 938,310 1,020,238
2017 924,507 1,006,725
2016 946,968 975,697
2015 1,007,561 939,922
2014 1,040,726 920,330
2013 1,026,036 884,929
2012 999,987 845,645
2011 971,082 806,359
2010 906,369 803,246
2009 855,096 798,911
2008 802,382 779,123
2007 784,119 764,780
2006 797,342 750,082
2005 776,603 726,708
2004 761,563 710,493
2003 746,159 694,457
2002 739,419 672,494
2001 729,704 658,704
2000 715,771 646,694
1999 702,170 633,166
1998 684,152 615,488
1997 667,582 604,443
1996 652,866 588,786
1995 642,977 607,966
1994 634,344 602,363
1993 606,700 595,459
1992 591,886 582,072
1991 550,146 565,837
1990 518,575 549,654
1989 496,852 530,464
1988 476,778 513,296
1987 488,742 493,337
1986 474,348 464,665
1985 467,445 455,576
1984 455,740 434,674
1983 439,800 414,823
1982 428,336 392,302
1981 416,998 374,482
1980 419,653 355,767
1979 428,458 336,378
1978 418,756 312,439
1977 410,229 296,115
1976 402,260 281,078
1975 385,916 266,815
1974 376,197 252,737
1973 373,191 240,235
1972 362,334 229,322
1971 351,464 219,095
1970 338,030 207,613
1969 324,792 196,305
1968 310,644 182,518
1967 298,192 173,637
1966 285,507 164,091
1965 274,551 155,398
1964 262,825 147,299
1963 254,046 133,781
1962 247,520 131,262
1961 184,792 129,787
1960 155,651 122,994

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/yemen | 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 +3.04% in Yemen.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.37% in Iraq and +3.02% in Yemen.

Birth rate in Iraq vs Yemen by year

Iraq
Yemen

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iraq Yemen
2023 25.7 35.2
2022 26 35.4
2021 26.4 35.7
2020 26.8 35.9
2019 27.3 35.9
2018 27.7 36
2017 28.3 36.1
2016 29.8 36
2015 31.6 35.9
2014 33.3 35.7
2013 34.1 35.5
2012 34.8 35.2
2011 35.5 34.7
2010 34.6 35.6
2009 33.9 36.6
2008 33.6 36.9
2007 34.5 37.5
2006 35 38.2
2005 33.9 38.4
2004 34.3 38.9
2003 34.5 39.4
2002 34.8 39.6
2001 35.5 40.2
2000 36.1 40.9
1999 36.7 41.5
1998 37 41.9
1997 37.3 42.6
1996 37.5 43.2
1995 38 45.9
1994 38.6 47.3
1993 38.6 48.6
1992 39.5 49.5
1991 40 50.2
1990 40.6 50.9
1989 39.6 51.4
1988 39.4 52.1
1987 39 52.5
1986 39 53.1
1985 39.5 53.6
1984 39.6 53.9
1983 39.6 54.3
1982 39.9 54.5
1981 40.2 54.6
1980 40.5 54.9
1979 41 54.9
1978 41.4 54.2
1977 42.1 54.4
1976 42.8 54.6
1975 43.4 54.7
1974 44 54.8
1973 44.4 55
1972 44.9 55.4
1971 45.4 55.8
1970 45.6 56.1
1969 45.9 56.2
1968 46 56.5
1967 46.1 56.8
1966 46.4 56.9
1965 46.7 56.8
1964 47.1 56.8
1963 47.5 56.5
1962 47.9 56.3
1961 40 56.2
1960 36.7 56

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 25.7 in Iraq and 35.2 in Yemen, compared with 36.7 and 56, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iraq Yemen
Fertility rate 3.25 4.59
Fertility rate rank 49/196 13/196
Birth rate 25.7 35.2
Birth rate rank 51/196 11/196
Population change due to births and deaths +973,420 +1,198,150
Natural population change rank 20/196 14/196
Natural population change rate +2.16% +3.04%
Population growth +2.15% +3.03%
Population growth rank 46/197 13/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 20.8 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 29.7 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56 71.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 162.2 202.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 44.9 79.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.3% 24.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 36.1% 29.2%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 95.6% 44.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.12%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.29% 2.14%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.08% 3.47%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 2.26% 3.93%
Life expectancy 72.6 years 69.7 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
Yemen
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iraq Yemen
2100 18.2% 19.3%
2099 18.3% 19.4%
2098 18.4% 19.6%
2097 18.5% 19.7%
2096 18.6% 19.9%
2095 18.8% 20.1%
2094 18.9% 20.2%
2093 19% 20.4%
2092 19.1% 20.6%
2091 19.2% 20.8%
2090 19.4% 20.9%
2089 19.5% 21.1%
2088 19.7% 21.3%
2087 19.8% 21.5%
2086 19.9% 21.7%
2085 20.1% 21.9%
2084 20.3% 22.1%
2083 20.4% 22.3%
2082 20.6% 22.5%
2081 20.8% 22.7%
2080 20.9% 22.9%
2079 21.1% 23.1%
2078 21.3% 23.4%
2077 21.5% 23.6%
2076 21.6% 23.8%
2075 21.8% 24.1%
2074 22% 24.3%
2073 22.2% 24.6%
2072 22.3% 24.9%
2071 22.5% 25.1%
2070 22.7% 25.4%
2069 22.8% 25.7%
2068 23% 26%
2067 23.2% 26.3%
2066 23.4% 26.6%
2065 23.6% 26.9%
2064 23.8% 27.2%
2063 24% 27.5%
2062 24.2% 27.9%
2061 24.4% 28.2%
2060 24.6% 28.5%
2059 24.9% 28.8%
2058 25.1% 29.1%
2057 25.4% 29.4%
2056 25.7% 29.6%
2055 26% 29.9%
2054 26.3% 30.2%
2053 26.6% 30.4%
2052 26.9% 30.7%
2051 27.2% 30.9%
2050 27.5% 31.2%
2049 27.8% 31.5%
2048 28.1% 31.8%
2047 28.4% 32.1%
2046 28.7% 32.4%
2045 29% 32.8%
2044 29.3% 33.2%
2043 29.5% 33.6%
2042 29.8% 34.1%
2041 30% 34.6%
2040 30.3% 35.1%
2039 30.5% 35.7%
2038 30.7% 36.3%
2037 31% 36.8%
2036 31.2% 37.4%
2035 31.5% 37.9%
2034 31.7% 38.4%
2033 32% 38.9%
2032 32.3% 39.4%
2031 32.7% 39.8%
2030 33.2% 40.2%
2029 33.7% 40.5%
2028 34.4% 40.7%
2027 35.1% 40.9%
2026 35.7% 41%
2025 36.3% 41.1%
2024 36.6% 41.1%
2023 37.1% 41.2%
2022 37.6% 41.3%
2021 38.1% 41.4%
2020 38.5% 41.4%
2019 38.9% 41.4%
2018 39.3% 41.5%
2017 39.7% 41.6%
2016 40.1% 41.7%
2015 40.4% 41.8%
2014 40.6% 42.1%
2013 40.8% 42.3%
2012 41% 42.7%
2011 41.1% 43%
2010 41.2% 43.5%
2009 41.5% 44.1%
2008 41.8% 44.7%
2007 42.1% 45.3%
2006 42.3% 45.9%
2005 42.6% 46.5%
2004 42.9% 47.1%
2003 43.1% 47.6%
2002 43.3% 48.1%
2001 43.5% 48.6%
2000 43.7% 49%
1999 43.8% 49.5%
1998 44% 49.9%
1997 44.1% 50.3%
1996 44.3% 50.6%
1995 44.4% 50.9%
1994 44.6% 51.1%
1993 44.7% 51.2%
1992 44.9% 51.2%
1991 45% 51.2%
1990 45.2% 51.1%
1989 45.4% 50.9%
1988 45.6% 50.7%
1987 45.8% 50.5%
1986 46% 50.3%
1985 46.2% 50%
1984 46.3% 49.7%
1983 46.5% 49.4%
1982 46.6% 49.1%
1981 46.7% 48.7%
1980 46.8% 48.3%
1979 47% 47.9%
1978 47.1% 47.5%
1977 47.3% 47%
1976 47.2% 46.6%
1975 46.7% 46.2%
1974 46.2% 45.7%
1973 45.5% 45.3%
1972 44.7% 44.8%
1971 44.1% 44.3%
1970 43.6% 43.8%
1969 43.3% 43.3%
1968 43% 42.8%
1967 42.8% 42.3%
1966 42.5% 41.8%
1965 42.1% 41.3%
1964 41.5% 40.9%
1963 41% 40.6%
1962 40.4% 40.4%
1961 39.9% 40.4%
1960 39.8% 40.3%

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/yemen | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.6% of the population in Iraq and 41.1% in Yemen in 2024, compared to 45.2% and 51.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iraq and Yemen compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Iraq vs Yemen

Iraq
Yemen
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iraq Yemen
2023 66 118
2022 59 125
2021 77 156
2020 63 135
2019 74 131
2018 76 134
2017 81 142
2016 87 134
2015 86 135
2014 90 134
2013 96 135
2012 100 137
2011 105 140
2010 107 144
2009 107 149
2008 109 153
2007 117 161
2006 120 171
2005 118 181
2004 122 194
2003 125 205
2002 128 218
2001 137 231
2000 146 241
1999 156 250
1998 163 260
1997 165 271
1996 158 282
1995 152 296
1994 142 311
1993 132 319
1992 126 330
1991 157 341
1990 195 359
1989 190 371
1988 174 388
1987 145 400
1986 147 430
1985 152 430

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/yemen | 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 118 deaths in Yemen.

Under-five mortality rates

Iraq
Yemen

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iraq Yemen
2023 2.26% 3.93%
2022 2.33% 4.08%
2021 2.41% 4.24%
2020 2.49% 4.32%
2019 2.57% 4.59%
2018 2.66% 4.7%
2017 2.75% 4.66%
2016 2.84% 4.77%
2015 2.94% 4.9%
2014 3.04% 4.84%
2013 3.14% 4.95%
2012 3.24% 5.14%
2011 3.35% 5.3%
2010 3.46% 5.49%
2009 3.56% 5.74%
2008 3.67% 6.02%
2007 3.78% 6.33%
2006 3.88% 6.68%
2005 3.97% 7.06%
2004 4.07% 7.47%
2003 4.16% 7.9%
2002 4.24% 8.36%
2001 4.33% 8.84%
2000 4.43% 9.32%
1999 4.52% 9.77%
1998 4.61% 10.2%
1997 4.71% 10.5%
1996 4.8% 10.8%
1995 4.89% 11.1%
1994 4.98% 11.3%
1993 5.07% 11.6%
1992 5.17% 11.8%
1991 6.49% 12.1%
1990 7.97% 12.5%
1989 8.12% 12.9%
1988 6.92% 13.4%
1987 5.75% 14%
1986 5.91% 14.6%
1985 6.09% 15.3%
1984 6.28% 16.2%
1983 6.49% 17.2%
1982 6.71% 18.4%
1981 6.96% 19.6%
1980 7.23% 20.8%
1979 7.52% 22.1%
1978 7.83% 23.4%
1977 8.17% 24.7%
1976 8.54% 26%
1975 8.93% 27.2%
1974 9.35% 28.4%
1973 9.79% 29.5%
1972 10.3% 30.6%
1971 10.7% 31.8%
1970 11.2% 33%
1969 11.8% 34.3%
1968 12.4% 35.6%
1967 13% 36.8%
1966 13.6% 38%
1965 14.4% 39%
1964 15.1% 40%
1963 16% 40.8%
1962 16.9% 41.5%
1961 17.9% 42.2%
1960 19% 42.9%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 2.26% in Iraq and 3.93% in Yemen. 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.