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Fertility & birth rates in Iraq and Zambia

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has an annual birth rate of 25.7 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33.1 for Zambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.25 in Iraq and 4.1 in Zambia — 26.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.7% in Iraq and by 41% in Zambia — in 1960, it was 5.3 and 6.95, respectively.

  • Iraq is ranked 51/196 by birth rate compared to 19/196 for Zambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.6 in Iraq — it's 28.3 in Zambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 58 in Iraq vs 115.9 in Zambia.
  • In Iraq, 25.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Zambia.

Fertility rate in Iraq vs Zambia by year

Iraq
Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Iraq Zambia
2023 3.25 4.1
2022 3.29 4.18
2021 3.36 4.25
2020 3.42 4.32
2019 3.48 4.42
2018 3.55 4.49
2017 3.64 4.57
2016 3.84 4.67
2015 4.08 4.78
2014 4.31 4.89
2013 4.44 5.01
2012 4.54 5.14
2011 4.59 5.26
2010 4.46 5.36
2009 4.38 5.45
2008 4.37 5.53
2007 4.4 5.61
2006 4.46 5.68
2005 4.45 5.7
2004 4.53 5.7
2003 4.58 5.71
2002 4.67 5.77
2001 4.8 5.85
2000 4.92 5.92
1999 5.04 6
1998 5.11 6.07
1997 5.19 6.12
1996 5.25 6.18
1995 5.36 6.23
1994 5.49 6.26
1993 5.61 6.3
1992 5.72 6.35
1991 5.83 6.46
1990 5.93 6.57
1989 5.99 6.64
1988 6.05 6.7
1987 6.11 6.8
1986 6.18 6.87
1985 6.25 6.93
1984 6.32 6.97
1983 6.39 7.01
1982 6.46 7.04
1981 6.53 7.07
1980 6.59 7.14
1979 6.66 7.22
1978 6.73 7.29
1977 6.8 7.35
1976 6.86 7.39
1975 6.91 7.42
1974 6.95 7.36
1973 6.99 7.34
1972 7.02 7.3
1971 7.06 7.26
1970 7.07 7.22
1969 7.08 7.18
1968 7.06 7.18
1967 7.03 7.15
1966 7.02 7.14
1965 7.02 7.12
1964 7.01 7.09
1963 7.01 7.06
1962 6.99 7.01
1961 5.8 6.98
1960 5.3 6.95

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/zambia | 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 4.1 in Zambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Iraq
Zambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Iraq Zambia
2023 973,420 577,660
2022 962,501 563,456
2021 941,924 535,629
2020 919,953 536,484
2019 942,972 528,089
2018 938,310 515,644
2017 924,507 504,630
2016 946,968 497,521
2015 1,007,561 491,021
2014 1,040,726 483,663
2013 1,026,036 476,846
2012 999,987 469,406
2011 971,082 459,743
2010 906,369 448,337
2009 855,096 434,458
2008 802,382 419,560
2007 784,119 403,729
2006 797,342 387,891
2005 776,603 368,756
2004 761,563 349,352
2003 746,159 331,189
2002 739,419 316,041
2001 729,704 302,682
2000 715,771 293,186
1999 702,170 283,297
1998 684,152 275,568
1997 667,582 268,198
1996 652,866 262,468
1995 642,977 257,897
1994 634,344 252,023
1993 606,700 245,917
1992 591,886 239,953
1991 550,146 237,957
1990 518,575 235,835
1989 496,852 233,429
1988 476,778 230,118
1987 488,742 227,813
1986 474,348 224,768
1985 467,445 221,351
1984 455,740 216,695
1983 439,800 212,712
1982 428,336 207,621
1981 416,998 202,822
1980 419,653 198,817
1979 428,458 197,578
1978 418,756 194,933
1977 410,229 191,557
1976 402,260 186,762
1975 385,916 182,258
1974 376,197 174,484
1973 373,191 168,258
1972 362,334 161,648
1971 351,464 155,249
1970 338,030 149,380
1969 324,792 142,660
1968 310,644 137,315
1967 298,192 131,938
1966 285,507 127,164
1965 274,551 122,814
1964 262,825 117,197
1963 254,046 114,555
1962 247,520 110,173
1961 184,792 106,318
1960 155,651 102,335

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/zambia | 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 +2.79% in Zambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.37% in Iraq and +2.87% in Zambia.

Birth rate in Iraq vs Zambia by year

Iraq
Zambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Iraq Zambia
2023 25.7 33.1
2022 26 33.5
2021 26.4 33.9
2020 26.8 34.4
2019 27.3 35
2018 27.7 35.5
2017 28.3 35.9
2016 29.8 36.6
2015 31.6 37.3
2014 33.3 38.1
2013 34.1 39
2012 34.8 39.9
2011 35.5 40.7
2010 34.6 41.4
2009 33.9 42
2008 33.6 42.6
2007 34.5 43.2
2006 35 43.7
2005 33.9 43.8
2004 34.3 43.9
2003 34.5 43.9
2002 34.8 44.3
2001 35.5 44.8
2000 36.1 45.5
1999 36.7 45.9
1998 37 46.2
1997 37.3 46.3
1996 37.5 46.6
1995 38 46.8
1994 38.6 46.7
1993 38.6 46.6
1992 39.5 46.6
1991 40 46.9
1990 40.6 47
1989 39.6 47.1
1988 39.4 47.1
1987 39 47.3
1986 39 47.4
1985 39.5 47.4
1984 39.6 47.3
1983 39.6 47.3
1982 39.9 47.3
1981 40.2 47.3
1980 40.5 47.5
1979 41 48.2
1978 41.4 48.7
1977 42.1 49.2
1976 42.8 49.5
1975 43.4 50
1974 44 49.7
1973 44.4 49.7
1972 44.9 49.6
1971 45.4 49.4
1970 45.6 49.3
1969 45.9 48.9
1968 46 48.9
1967 46.1 48.8
1966 46.4 48.8
1965 46.7 48.8
1964 47.1 48.9
1963 47.5 48.9
1962 47.9 48.9
1961 40 48.9
1960 36.7 48.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 25.7 in Iraq and 33.1 in Zambia, compared with 36.7 and 48.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Iraq Zambia
Fertility rate 3.25 4.1
Fertility rate rank 49/196 24/196
Birth rate 25.7 33.1
Birth rate rank 51/196 19/196
Population change due to births and deaths +973,420 +577,660
Natural population change rank 20/196 34/196
Natural population change rate +2.16% +2.79%
Population growth +2.15% +2.85%
Population growth rank 46/197 21/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.6 years 28.3 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 56 115.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 162.2 176.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 44.9 64.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.3% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 36.1% 47.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 95.6% 80.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.09%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.29% 2.2%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.08% 3.09%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 2.26% 4.47%
Life expectancy 72.6 years 66.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Iraq
Factual

UN forecast
Zambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Iraq Zambia
2100 18.2% 21.6%
2099 18.3% 21.7%
2098 18.4% 21.9%
2097 18.5% 22%
2096 18.6% 22.2%
2095 18.8% 22.3%
2094 18.9% 22.5%
2093 19% 22.7%
2092 19.1% 22.8%
2091 19.2% 23%
2090 19.4% 23.1%
2089 19.5% 23.3%
2088 19.7% 23.5%
2087 19.8% 23.6%
2086 19.9% 23.8%
2085 20.1% 24%
2084 20.3% 24.2%
2083 20.4% 24.3%
2082 20.6% 24.5%
2081 20.8% 24.7%
2080 20.9% 24.9%
2079 21.1% 25.1%
2078 21.3% 25.3%
2077 21.5% 25.5%
2076 21.6% 25.7%
2075 21.8% 25.9%
2074 22% 26.1%
2073 22.2% 26.4%
2072 22.3% 26.6%
2071 22.5% 26.8%
2070 22.7% 27%
2069 22.8% 27.2%
2068 23% 27.5%
2067 23.2% 27.7%
2066 23.4% 27.9%
2065 23.6% 28.1%
2064 23.8% 28.4%
2063 24% 28.6%
2062 24.2% 28.9%
2061 24.4% 29.1%
2060 24.6% 29.3%
2059 24.9% 29.6%
2058 25.1% 29.8%
2057 25.4% 30.1%
2056 25.7% 30.4%
2055 26% 30.6%
2054 26.3% 30.9%
2053 26.6% 31.2%
2052 26.9% 31.5%
2051 27.2% 31.8%
2050 27.5% 32.2%
2049 27.8% 32.5%
2048 28.1% 32.8%
2047 28.4% 33.2%
2046 28.7% 33.5%
2045 29% 33.9%
2044 29.3% 34.2%
2043 29.5% 34.6%
2042 29.8% 34.9%
2041 30% 35.3%
2040 30.3% 35.6%
2039 30.5% 36%
2038 30.7% 36.3%
2037 31% 36.6%
2036 31.2% 37%
2035 31.5% 37.3%
2034 31.7% 37.6%
2033 32% 38%
2032 32.3% 38.3%
2031 32.7% 38.7%
2030 33.2% 39%
2029 33.7% 39.4%
2028 34.4% 39.8%
2027 35.1% 40.3%
2026 35.7% 40.7%
2025 36.3% 41.2%
2024 36.6% 41.5%
2023 37.1% 42%
2022 37.6% 42.4%
2021 38.1% 42.9%
2020 38.5% 43.3%
2019 38.9% 43.8%
2018 39.3% 44.1%
2017 39.7% 44.5%
2016 40.1% 44.9%
2015 40.4% 45.2%
2014 40.6% 45.5%
2013 40.8% 45.7%
2012 41% 45.9%
2011 41.1% 46.1%
2010 41.2% 46.3%
2009 41.5% 46.4%
2008 41.8% 46.6%
2007 42.1% 46.8%
2006 42.3% 47%
2005 42.6% 47.1%
2004 42.9% 47.3%
2003 43.1% 47.4%
2002 43.3% 47.6%
2001 43.5% 47.8%
2000 43.7% 48%
1999 43.8% 48.1%
1998 44% 48.2%
1997 44.1% 48.2%
1996 44.3% 48.2%
1995 44.4% 48.2%
1994 44.6% 48.2%
1993 44.7% 48.2%
1992 44.9% 48.2%
1991 45% 48.3%
1990 45.2% 48.4%
1989 45.4% 48.5%
1988 45.6% 48.6%
1987 45.8% 48.7%
1986 46% 48.8%
1985 46.2% 48.9%
1984 46.3% 49%
1983 46.5% 49.1%
1982 46.6% 49.3%
1981 46.7% 49.4%
1980 46.8% 49.5%
1979 47% 49.5%
1978 47.1% 49.4%
1977 47.3% 49.2%
1976 47.2% 49.1%
1975 46.7% 48.8%
1974 46.2% 48.6%
1973 45.5% 48.3%
1972 44.7% 48%
1971 44.1% 47.7%
1970 43.6% 47.4%
1969 43.3% 47.2%
1968 43% 47.1%
1967 42.8% 47%
1966 42.5% 46.9%
1965 42.1% 46.9%
1964 41.5% 46.7%
1963 41% 46.5%
1962 40.4% 46.3%
1961 39.9% 46.2%
1960 39.8% 46%

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/zambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.6% of the population in Iraq and 41.5% in Zambia in 2024, compared to 45.2% and 48.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Iraq and Zambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Iraq vs Zambia

Iraq
Zambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Iraq Zambia
2023 66 85
2022 59 89
2021 77 140
2020 63 99
2019 74 103
2018 76 117
2017 81 141
2016 87 158
2015 86 154
2014 90 174
2013 96 213
2012 100 256
2011 105 291
2010 107 332
2009 107 406
2008 109 394
2007 117 324
2006 120 262
2005 118 264
2004 122 260
2003 125 250
2002 128 274
2001 137 306
2000 146 340
1999 156 378
1998 163 392
1997 165 403
1996 158 433
1995 152 466
1994 142 507
1993 132 532
1992 126 581
1991 157 611
1990 195 625
1989 190 635
1988 174 635
1987 145 630
1986 147 619
1985 152 596

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/iraq/zambia | 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 85 deaths in Zambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Iraq
Zambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Iraq Zambia
2023 2.26% 4.47%
2022 2.33% 4.67%
2021 2.41% 4.92%
2020 2.49% 5.24%
2019 2.57% 5.41%
2018 2.66% 5.52%
2017 2.75% 5.61%
2016 2.84% 5.9%
2015 2.94% 6.15%
2014 3.04% 6.38%
2013 3.14% 6.72%
2012 3.24% 7.04%
2011 3.35% 7.31%
2010 3.46% 7.57%
2009 3.56% 8%
2008 3.67% 8.62%
2007 3.78% 9.14%
2006 3.88% 9.71%
2005 3.97% 10.5%
2004 4.07% 11.4%
2003 4.16% 12.4%
2002 4.24% 13.4%
2001 4.33% 14.4%
2000 4.43% 15.3%
1999 4.52% 15.9%
1998 4.61% 16.3%
1997 4.71% 16.7%
1996 4.8% 17%
1995 4.89% 17.3%
1994 4.98% 17.7%
1993 5.07% 17.9%
1992 5.17% 18.1%
1991 6.49% 18.1%
1990 7.97% 18.1%
1989 8.12% 17.9%
1988 6.92% 17.7%
1987 5.75% 17.3%
1986 5.91% 17%
1985 6.09% 16.6%
1984 6.28% 16.2%
1983 6.49% 15.9%
1982 6.71% 15.7%
1981 6.96% 15.6%
1980 7.23% 15.5%
1979 7.52% 15.4%
1978 7.83% 15.3%
1977 8.17% 15.3%
1976 8.54% 15.4%
1975 8.93% 15.5%
1974 9.35% 15.9%
1973 9.79% 16.3%
1972 10.3% 16.9%
1971 10.7% 17.4%
1970 11.2% 17.9%
1969 11.8% 18.3%
1968 12.4% 18.5%
1967 13% 18.7%
1966 13.6% 18.9%
1965 14.4% 19%
1964 15.1% 19.2%
1963 16% 19.5%
1962 16.9% 19.8%
1961 17.9% 20.1%
1960 19% 20.5%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 2.26% in Iraq and 4.47% in Zambia. 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)
  3. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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