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Fertility & birth rates in Ireland and Kenya

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has an annual birth rate of 10.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 27.1 for Kenya. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.5 in Ireland and 3.21 in Kenya — 113.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 60.3% in Ireland and by 58.1% in Kenya — in 1960, it was 3.78 and 7.65, respectively.

  • Ireland is ranked 142/196 by birth rate compared to 43/196 for Kenya.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 31.6 years in Ireland, compared to 20.3 years in Kenya.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.7 in Ireland — it's 28.2 in Kenya.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 4.07 in Ireland vs 56.3 in Kenya.
  • In Ireland, 23.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.4% in Kenya.

Fertility rate in Ireland vs Kenya by year

Ireland
Kenya
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ireland Kenya
2023 1.5 3.21
2022 1.54 3.26
2021 1.78 3.31
2020 1.63 3.36
2019 1.71 3.43
2018 1.75 3.54
2017 1.77 3.61
2016 1.81 3.69
2015 1.85 3.77
2014 1.89 3.84
2013 1.93 3.96
2012 1.98 4.12
2011 2.03 4.28
2010 2.05 4.45
2009 2.06 4.57
2008 2.06 4.66
2007 2.01 4.72
2006 1.91 4.75
2005 1.86 4.8
2004 1.93 4.86
2003 1.96 4.94
2002 1.97 5.03
2001 1.94 5.09
2000 1.89 5.14
1999 1.9 5.18
1998 1.94 5.24
1997 1.93 5.27
1996 1.88 5.31
1995 1.84 5.37
1994 1.85 5.44
1993 1.9 5.57
1992 1.99 5.74
1991 2.08 5.94
1990 2.11 6.14
1989 2.08 6.33
1988 2.17 6.52
1987 2.32 6.69
1986 2.44 6.84
1985 2.48 6.96
1984 2.58 7.08
1983 2.74 7.22
1982 2.94 7.35
1981 3.05 7.45
1980 3.21 7.53
1979 3.21 7.6
1978 3.21 7.67
1977 3.24 7.73
1976 3.29 7.77
1975 3.37 7.8
1974 3.59 7.82
1973 3.71 7.86
1972 3.84 7.89
1971 3.93 7.92
1970 3.85 7.94
1969 3.83 7.95
1968 3.77 7.95
1967 3.84 7.95
1966 3.94 7.96
1965 4.04 7.92
1964 4.07 7.87
1963 4.01 7.82
1962 3.92 7.77
1961 3.78 7.72
1960 3.78 7.65

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Ireland was 1.5 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.21 in Kenya in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Ireland vs Kenya population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Ireland
Kenya
1x
Year Natural population change
Ireland Kenya
2023 19,652 1,100,970
2022 19,287 1,092,102
2021 26,064 1,037,082
2020 23,687 1,036,253
2019 28,365 1,071,777
2018 29,878 1,097,075
2017 31,379 1,105,769
2016 33,339 1,108,801
2015 35,265 1,119,200
2014 37,728 1,123,333
2013 39,302 1,136,006
2012 42,775 1,161,548
2011 45,801 1,185,863
2010 47,426 1,199,786
2009 47,168 1,193,598
2008 46,691 1,174,818
2007 43,109 1,147,063
2006 36,752 1,113,357
2005 33,279 1,080,446
2004 33,376 1,048,590
2003 32,372 1,018,182
2002 31,062 992,044
2001 27,837 963,721
2000 23,592 928,357
1999 21,402 898,484
1998 22,277 875,511
1997 21,311 847,493
1996 18,915 827,326
1995 16,601 812,391
1994 17,234 792,702
1993 17,166 788,579
1992 20,283 785,018
1991 21,206 790,030
1990 21,787 789,087
1989 20,012 795,622
1988 22,912 785,652
1987 26,904 775,124
1986 27,963 755,606
1985 29,013 732,739
1984 31,791 709,639
1983 34,053 684,587
1982 38,344 663,109
1981 39,364 642,379
1980 40,612 616,390
1979 38,798 595,390
1978 36,288 574,695
1977 35,448 554,124
1976 33,676 536,740
1975 34,128 517,579
1974 34,199 500,008
1973 34,562 485,556
1972 34,316 472,557
1971 35,606 459,897
1970 30,756 443,065
1969 29,326 427,819
1968 27,697 411,948
1967 29,895 396,920
1966 26,866 382,891
1965 30,500 366,444
1964 31,532 349,322
1963 29,667 332,763
1962 28,077 315,797
1961 25,137 298,463
1960 28,286 280,032

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | 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 +0.37% in Ireland and +1.99% in Kenya.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.58% in Ireland and +2.16% in Kenya.

Birth rate in Ireland vs Kenya by year

Ireland
Kenya

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Ireland Kenya
2023 10.3 27.1
2022 10.4 27.3
2021 11.8 27.6
2020 11.1 27.8
2019 11.9 28.2
2018 12.5 29
2017 12.8 29.6
2016 13.4 30.2
2015 13.9 30.9
2014 14.4 31.5
2013 14.9 32.4
2012 15.6 33.7
2011 16.2 35
2010 16.5 36.3
2009 16.7 37.2
2008 16.7 37.9
2007 16.2 38.3
2006 15.3 38.5
2005 14.8 38.8
2004 15.2 39.1
2003 15.4 39.5
2002 15.4 39.9
2001 15 40.2
2000 14.4 40.2
1999 14.4 40.3
1998 14.5 40.6
1997 14.4 40.5
1996 13.9 40.6
1995 13.5 40.8
1994 13.4 40.9
1993 13.8 41.4
1992 14.4 42.1
1991 14.9 43.1
1990 15.1 43.9
1989 14.8 44.9
1988 15.5 45.6
1987 16.5 46.3
1986 17.4 46.6
1985 17.6 46.9
1984 18.1 47.2
1983 19.1 47.4
1982 20.3 47.8
1981 20.9 48.2
1980 21.7 48.2
1979 21.5 48.6
1978 21.1 48.9
1977 21 49.2
1976 20.9 49.6
1975 21.1 49.8
1974 22 50.2
1973 22.3 50.8
1972 22.6 51.5
1971 22.6 52.2
1970 21.8 52.5
1969 21.5 53.1
1968 20.9 53.5
1967 21.1 54.1
1966 21.5 54.6
1965 22.1 54.9
1964 22.4 55.1
1963 22.2 55.3
1962 21.8 55.4
1961 21.2 55.4
1960 21.5 55.2

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.3 in Ireland and 27.1 in Kenya, compared with 21.5 and 55.2, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Ireland Kenya
Fertility rate 1.5 3.21
Fertility rate rank 145/196 51/196
Birth rate 10.3 27.1
Birth rate rank 142/196 43/196
Population change due to births and deaths +19,652 +1,100,970
Natural population change rank 109/196 18/196
Natural population change rate +0.37% +1.99%
Population growth +1.59% +1.98%
Population growth rank 68/197 53/197
Age at first childbirth 31.6 years 20.3 years
Average age at childbearing 32.7 years 28.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 4.15 51.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 42.8 168.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 21.9 46.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.7% 26.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 70.9% 56.9%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.7% 70.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.15%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.25% 2.15%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.34% 3.47%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.38% 3.99%
Life expectancy 82.9 years 64.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Ireland
Factual

UN forecast
Kenya
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Ireland Kenya
2100 12.7% 18.9%
2099 12.7% 19%
2098 12.8% 19.1%
2097 12.8% 19.2%
2096 12.9% 19.3%
2095 13% 19.5%
2094 13.1% 19.6%
2093 13.2% 19.7%
2092 13.3% 19.8%
2091 13.4% 19.9%
2090 13.4% 20%
2089 13.5% 20.1%
2088 13.6% 20.2%
2087 13.7% 20.4%
2086 13.7% 20.5%
2085 13.8% 20.7%
2084 13.8% 20.8%
2083 13.8% 21%
2082 13.8% 21.1%
2081 13.8% 21.3%
2080 13.7% 21.5%
2079 13.7% 21.7%
2078 13.6% 21.9%
2077 13.6% 22.1%
2076 13.5% 22.3%
2075 13.5% 22.5%
2074 13.4% 22.7%
2073 13.4% 22.9%
2072 13.4% 23.1%
2071 13.3% 23.3%
2070 13.3% 23.5%
2069 13.4% 23.7%
2068 13.4% 23.8%
2067 13.5% 24%
2066 13.5% 24.2%
2065 13.6% 24.4%
2064 13.8% 24.6%
2063 13.9% 24.8%
2062 14% 25%
2061 14.2% 25.2%
2060 14.4% 25.4%
2059 14.6% 25.6%
2058 14.7% 25.9%
2057 14.9% 26.1%
2056 15.1% 26.4%
2055 15.2% 26.7%
2054 15.3% 27%
2053 15.5% 27.3%
2052 15.6% 27.6%
2051 15.6% 28%
2050 15.7% 28.4%
2049 15.7% 28.7%
2048 15.7% 29.1%
2047 15.7% 29.5%
2046 15.6% 29.8%
2045 15.6% 30.2%
2044 15.5% 30.6%
2043 15.4% 30.9%
2042 15.3% 31.2%
2041 15.3% 31.5%
2040 15.2% 31.8%
2039 15.2% 32.1%
2038 15.1% 32.4%
2037 15.1% 32.6%
2036 15.3% 32.8%
2035 15.3% 33%
2034 15.5% 33.3%
2033 15.7% 33.5%
2032 15.9% 33.8%
2031 16.1% 34%
2030 16.4% 34.4%
2029 16.7% 34.7%
2028 17% 35%
2027 17.4% 35.5%
2026 17.9% 36%
2025 18.3% 36.5%
2024 18.6% 36.8%
2023 19% 37.4%
2022 19.5% 38.1%
2021 19.8% 38.7%
2020 20.1% 39.3%
2019 20.4% 39.9%
2018 20.7% 40.5%
2017 20.9% 41%
2016 21.2% 41.5%
2015 21.3% 42%
2014 21.4% 42.4%
2013 21.5% 42.8%
2012 21.5% 43.2%
2011 21.4% 43.4%
2010 21.1% 43.6%
2009 20.7% 43.8%
2008 20.5% 43.9%
2007 20.3% 44%
2006 20.4% 44.2%
2005 20.6% 44.4%
2004 20.8% 44.6%
2003 21% 45%
2002 21.1% 45.3%
2001 21.4% 45.7%
2000 21.8% 46.1%
1999 22.1% 46.5%
1998 22.5% 46.8%
1997 23% 47.1%
1996 23.6% 47.4%
1995 24.2% 47.7%
1994 24.9% 48%
1993 25.5% 48.4%
1992 26% 48.7%
1991 26.6% 48.9%
1990 27.1% 49.2%
1989 27.6% 49.5%
1988 28.1% 49.7%
1987 28.5% 49.9%
1986 28.9% 50.1%
1985 29.3% 50.3%
1984 29.6% 50.6%
1983 29.9% 50.8%
1982 30.1% 51.1%
1981 30.3% 51.3%
1980 30.4% 51.5%
1979 30.5% 51.7%
1978 30.7% 51.9%
1977 30.9% 52%
1976 31% 52.1%
1975 31.1% 52%
1974 31.2% 52%
1973 31.2% 52%
1972 31.2% 51.9%
1971 31.2% 51.7%
1970 31.1% 51.6%
1969 31.1% 51.4%
1968 31.1% 51.2%
1967 31.1% 50.9%
1966 31.1% 50.6%
1965 31.1% 50.2%
1964 30.9% 49.8%
1963 30.9% 49.7%
1962 30.9% 49.4%
1961 31% 49.1%
1960 30.9% 48.7%

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/ireland/kenya | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.6% of the population in Ireland and 36.8% in Kenya in 2024, compared to 27.1% and 49.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Ireland and Kenya compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Ireland vs Kenya

Ireland
Kenya
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Ireland Kenya
2023 4 149
2022 7 155
2021 6 183
2020 6 184
2019 4 176
2018 5 183
2017 4 186
2016 4 196
2015 5 203
2014 5 203
2013 5 206
2012 6 214
2011 6 209
2010 6 210
2009 6 208
2008 6 197
2007 6 198
2006 6 188
2005 6 178
2004 6 177
2003 6 177
2002 7 182
2001 7 188
2000 8 206
1999 7 217
1998 8 250
1997 8 253
1996 8 275
1995 9 308
1994 9 342
1993 9 363
1992 10 419
1991 10 493
1990 11 586
1989 10 663
1988 11 756
1987 10 960
1986 11 1,059
1985 11 1,375

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 4 deaths per 100,000 live births in Ireland, compared to 149 deaths in Kenya.

Under-five mortality rates

Ireland
Kenya

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Ireland Kenya
2023 0.38% 3.99%
2022 0.37% 4.11%
2021 0.36% 4.19%
2020 0.35% 4.28%
2019 0.34% 4.33%
2018 0.34% 4.43%
2017 0.35% 4.53%
2016 0.36% 4.6%
2015 0.37% 4.74%
2014 0.38% 4.88%
2013 0.39% 5%
2012 0.4% 5.12%
2011 0.41% 5.22%
2010 0.42% 5.35%
2009 0.43% 5.54%
2008 0.44% 5.82%
2007 0.46% 6.32%
2006 0.49% 6.71%
2005 0.52% 7.15%
2004 0.56% 7.66%
2003 0.6% 8.16%
2002 0.65% 8.66%
2001 0.69% 9.16%
2000 0.72% 9.63%
1999 0.73% 10.1%
1998 0.73% 10.4%
1997 0.73% 10.7%
1996 0.73% 10.9%
1995 0.73% 11%
1994 0.74% 11%
1993 0.77% 10.9%
1992 0.81% 10.7%
1991 0.87% 10.5%
1990 0.92% 10.1%
1989 0.96% 9.85%
1988 0.99% 9.63%
1987 1.02% 9.51%
1986 1.04% 9.49%
1985 1.07% 9.57%
1984 1.11% 9.74%
1983 1.17% 9.98%
1982 1.23% 10.3%
1981 1.32% 10.6%
1980 1.43% 11%
1979 1.56% 11.4%
1978 1.69% 11.8%
1977 1.81% 12.2%
1976 1.91% 12.7%
1975 2% 13.1%
1974 2.06% 13.5%
1973 2.11% 14%
1972 2.14% 14.3%
1971 2.17% 14.7%
1970 2.22% 15%
1969 2.3% 15.4%
1968 2.41% 15.7%
1967 2.55% 16%
1966 2.71% 16.3%
1965 2.87% 16.6%
1964 3.01% 17%
1963 3.13% 17.5%
1962 3.25% 18.1%
1961 3.38% 18.8%
1960 3.53% 19.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/kenya | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.38% in Ireland and 3.99% in Kenya. 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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