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Fertility & birth rates in Ireland and Namibia

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has an annual birth rate of 10.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 25.9 for Namibia. 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 Namibia — 114.1% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 60.3% in Ireland and by 48.6% in Namibia — in 1960, it was 3.78 and 6.24, respectively.

  • Ireland is ranked 142/196 by birth rate compared to 49/196 for Namibia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 31.6 years in Ireland, compared to 21.6 years in Namibia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.7 in Ireland — it's 28.9 in Namibia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 4.07 in Ireland vs 66 in Namibia.
  • In Ireland, 23.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.7% in Namibia.

Fertility rate in Ireland vs Namibia by year

Ireland
Namibia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ireland Namibia
2023 1.5 3.21
2022 1.54 3.25
2021 1.78 3.3
2020 1.63 3.35
2019 1.71 3.4
2018 1.75 3.46
2017 1.77 3.51
2016 1.81 3.57
2015 1.85 3.6
2014 1.89 3.64
2013 1.93 3.65
2012 1.98 3.68
2011 2.03 3.66
2010 2.05 3.66
2009 2.06 3.63
2008 2.06 3.62
2007 2.01 3.61
2006 1.91 3.6
2005 1.86 3.57
2004 1.93 3.55
2003 1.96 3.58
2002 1.97 3.69
2001 1.94 3.83
2000 1.89 3.99
1999 1.9 4.14
1998 1.94 4.18
1997 1.93 4.17
1996 1.88 4.2
1995 1.84 4.42
1994 1.85 4.68
1993 1.9 4.91
1992 1.99 5.11
1991 2.08 5.29
1990 2.11 5.4
1989 2.08 5.52
1988 2.17 5.61
1987 2.32 5.7
1986 2.44 5.79
1985 2.48 5.88
1984 2.58 5.94
1983 2.74 6
1982 2.94 6.08
1981 3.05 6.16
1980 3.21 6.24
1979 3.21 6.31
1978 3.21 6.38
1977 3.24 6.44
1976 3.29 6.49
1975 3.37 6.53
1974 3.59 6.55
1973 3.71 6.54
1972 3.84 6.53
1971 3.93 6.52
1970 3.85 6.52
1969 3.83 6.51
1968 3.77 6.5
1967 3.84 6.49
1966 3.94 6.47
1965 4.04 6.45
1964 4.07 6.43
1963 4.01 6.41
1962 3.92 6.35
1961 3.78 6.29
1960 3.78 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/namibia | 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 Namibia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Ireland
Namibia
1x
Year Natural population change
Ireland Namibia
2023 19,652 58,435
2022 19,287 54,534
2021 26,064 50,160
2020 23,687 55,034
2019 28,365 54,769
2018 29,878 53,970
2017 31,379 52,975
2016 33,339 52,228
2015 35,265 50,846
2014 37,728 49,581
2013 39,302 47,801
2012 42,775 46,204
2011 45,801 43,557
2010 47,426 42,046
2009 47,168 39,942
2008 46,691 38,147
2007 43,109 36,430
2006 36,752 34,690
2005 33,279 32,909
2004 33,376 31,478
2003 32,372 31,115
2002 31,062 31,947
2001 27,837 32,942
2000 23,592 35,280
1999 21,402 37,233
1998 22,277 37,500
1997 21,311 37,256
1996 18,915 37,177
1995 16,601 39,119
1994 17,234 41,316
1993 17,166 42,861
1992 20,283 43,945
1991 21,206 44,523
1990 21,787 43,956
1989 20,012 37,715
1988 22,912 34,798
1987 26,904 33,340
1986 27,963 31,764
1985 29,013 30,575
1984 31,791 29,395
1983 34,053 28,307
1982 38,344 27,474
1981 39,364 27,938
1980 40,612 28,142
1979 38,798 28,930
1978 36,288 29,821
1977 35,448 29,241
1976 33,676 28,785
1975 34,128 27,882
1974 34,199 26,844
1973 34,562 25,754
1972 34,316 24,606
1971 35,606 23,467
1970 30,756 22,414
1969 29,326 21,387
1968 27,697 20,470
1967 29,895 19,498
1966 26,866 18,635
1965 30,500 17,902
1964 31,532 17,134
1963 29,667 16,430
1962 28,077 15,656
1961 25,137 14,936
1960 28,286 14,307

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/namibia | 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 +1.97% in Namibia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.58% in Ireland and +2.04% in Namibia.

Birth rate in Ireland vs Namibia by year

Ireland
Namibia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Ireland Namibia
2023 10.3 25.9
2022 10.4 26.3
2021 11.8 27
2020 11.1 27.7
2019 11.9 28.4
2018 12.5 29.1
2017 12.8 29.7
2016 13.4 30.3
2015 13.9 30.7
2014 14.4 31
2013 14.9 31.2
2012 15.6 31.4
2011 16.2 31.1
2010 16.5 31
2009 16.7 30.6
2008 16.7 30.3
2007 16.2 30
2006 15.3 29.7
2005 14.8 29.3
2004 15.2 28.9
2003 15.4 29
2002 15.4 29.6
2001 15 30.5
2000 14.4 31.6
1999 14.4 32.6
1998 14.5 32.9
1997 14.4 32.8
1996 13.9 32.9
1995 13.5 34.5
1994 13.4 36.3
1993 13.8 37.9
1992 14.4 39.3
1991 14.9 40.5
1990 15.1 41
1989 14.8 38.2
1988 15.5 38.7
1987 16.5 38.6
1986 17.4 38.3
1985 17.6 38.3
1984 18.1 38.3
1983 19.1 38.3
1982 20.3 38.4
1981 20.9 39.8
1980 21.7 40.6
1979 21.5 40.8
1978 21.1 42.6
1977 21 42.8
1976 20.9 43.5
1975 21.1 43.7
1974 22 43.9
1973 22.3 43.9
1972 22.6 43.7
1971 22.6 43.6
1970 21.8 43.4
1969 21.5 43.3
1968 20.9 43.2
1967 21.1 43
1966 21.5 42.9
1965 22.1 42.8
1964 22.4 42.7
1963 22.2 42.6
1962 21.8 42.4
1961 21.2 42.2
1960 21.5 42.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.3 in Ireland and 25.9 in Namibia, compared with 21.5 and 42.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Ireland Namibia
Fertility rate 1.5 3.21
Fertility rate rank 145/196 50/196
Birth rate 10.3 25.9
Birth rate rank 142/196 49/196
Population change due to births and deaths +19,652 +58,435
Natural population change rank 109/196 90/196
Natural population change rate +0.37% +1.97%
Population growth +1.59% +2.26%
Population growth rank 68/197 41/197
Age at first childbirth 31.6 years 21.6 years
Average age at childbearing 32.7 years 28.9 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 4.15 64.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 42.8 145.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 21.9 50.1
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.7% 25.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 70.9% 55.3%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.7% 88.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.14%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.25% 2.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.34% 3.84%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.38% 4.07%
Life expectancy 82.9 years 67.8 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Ireland
Factual

UN forecast
Namibia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Ireland Namibia
2100 12.7% 18.7%
2099 12.7% 18.8%
2098 12.8% 18.9%
2097 12.8% 19.1%
2096 12.9% 19.2%
2095 13% 19.3%
2094 13.1% 19.5%
2093 13.2% 19.6%
2092 13.3% 19.7%
2091 13.4% 19.9%
2090 13.4% 20%
2089 13.5% 20.2%
2088 13.6% 20.3%
2087 13.7% 20.4%
2086 13.7% 20.6%
2085 13.8% 20.7%
2084 13.8% 20.8%
2083 13.8% 21%
2082 13.8% 21.1%
2081 13.8% 21.2%
2080 13.7% 21.4%
2079 13.7% 21.5%
2078 13.6% 21.6%
2077 13.6% 21.8%
2076 13.5% 21.9%
2075 13.5% 22.1%
2074 13.4% 22.2%
2073 13.4% 22.4%
2072 13.4% 22.6%
2071 13.3% 22.8%
2070 13.3% 23%
2069 13.4% 23.2%
2068 13.4% 23.4%
2067 13.5% 23.6%
2066 13.5% 23.8%
2065 13.6% 24.1%
2064 13.8% 24.3%
2063 13.9% 24.6%
2062 14% 24.8%
2061 14.2% 25.1%
2060 14.4% 25.3%
2059 14.6% 25.6%
2058 14.7% 25.8%
2057 14.9% 26.1%
2056 15.1% 26.3%
2055 15.2% 26.5%
2054 15.3% 26.8%
2053 15.5% 27%
2052 15.6% 27.2%
2051 15.6% 27.4%
2050 15.7% 27.6%
2049 15.7% 27.8%
2048 15.7% 28%
2047 15.7% 28.2%
2046 15.6% 28.4%
2045 15.6% 28.6%
2044 15.5% 28.9%
2043 15.4% 29.1%
2042 15.3% 29.3%
2041 15.3% 29.6%
2040 15.2% 29.8%
2039 15.2% 30.1%
2038 15.1% 30.4%
2037 15.1% 30.8%
2036 15.3% 31.5%
2035 15.3% 32.2%
2034 15.5% 32.7%
2033 15.7% 33.2%
2032 15.9% 33.8%
2031 16.1% 34.3%
2030 16.4% 34.9%
2029 16.7% 35.3%
2028 17% 35.8%
2027 17.4% 36.1%
2026 17.9% 36.5%
2025 18.3% 36.8%
2024 18.6% 37%
2023 19% 37.3%
2022 19.5% 37.5%
2021 19.8% 37.4%
2020 20.1% 37.1%
2019 20.4% 37%
2018 20.7% 36.8%
2017 20.9% 36.7%
2016 21.2% 36.5%
2015 21.3% 36.5%
2014 21.4% 36.5%
2013 21.5% 36.6%
2012 21.5% 36.6%
2011 21.4% 36.7%
2010 21.1% 36.8%
2009 20.7% 37.1%
2008 20.5% 37.5%
2007 20.3% 38.1%
2006 20.4% 38.7%
2005 20.6% 39.4%
2004 20.8% 40%
2003 21% 40.5%
2002 21.1% 41%
2001 21.4% 41.3%
2000 21.8% 41.5%
1999 22.1% 41.7%
1998 22.5% 41.8%
1997 23% 41.9%
1996 23.6% 42%
1995 24.2% 42.1%
1994 24.9% 42.2%
1993 25.5% 42.2%
1992 26% 42.2%
1991 26.6% 42.2%
1990 27.1% 42.3%
1989 27.6% 43.4%
1988 28.1% 44.8%
1987 28.5% 45.3%
1986 28.9% 45.8%
1985 29.3% 46.2%
1984 29.6% 46.6%
1983 29.9% 46.9%
1982 30.1% 47.2%
1981 30.3% 47.1%
1980 30.4% 46.6%
1979 30.5% 46.3%
1978 30.7% 45.9%
1977 30.9% 45.3%
1976 31% 45%
1975 31.1% 44.8%
1974 31.2% 44.6%
1973 31.2% 44.3%
1972 31.2% 44.1%
1971 31.2% 43.9%
1970 31.1% 43.8%
1969 31.1% 43.6%
1968 31.1% 43.5%
1967 31.1% 43.3%
1966 31.1% 43.2%
1965 31.1% 43%
1964 30.9% 42.9%
1963 30.9% 42.7%
1962 30.9% 42.6%
1961 31% 42.4%
1960 30.9% 42.2%

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/namibia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.6% of the population in Ireland and 37% in Namibia in 2024, compared to 27.1% and 42.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Ireland and Namibia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Ireland vs Namibia

Ireland
Namibia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Ireland Namibia
2023 4 139
2022 7 127
2021 6 254
2020 6 143
2019 4 175
2018 5 198
2017 4 213
2016 4 250
2015 5 307
2014 5 369
2013 5 402
2012 6 439
2011 6 498
2010 6 531
2009 6 547
2008 6 537
2007 6 489
2006 6 408
2005 6 344
2004 6 282
2003 6 290
2002 7 313
2001 7 376
2000 8 384
1999 7 371
1998 8 396
1997 8 383
1996 8 387
1995 9 369
1994 9 367
1993 9 354
1992 10 346
1991 10 337
1990 11 325
1989 10 306
1988 11 342
1987 10 336
1986 11 348
1985 11 354

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/namibia | 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 139 deaths in Namibia.

Under-five mortality rates

Ireland
Namibia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Ireland Namibia
2023 0.38% 4.07%
2022 0.37% 4.2%
2021 0.36% 4.38%
2020 0.35% 4.57%
2019 0.34% 4.78%
2018 0.34% 5.01%
2017 0.35% 5.19%
2016 0.36% 5.42%
2015 0.37% 5.5%
2014 0.38% 5.31%
2013 0.39% 5.4%
2012 0.4% 5.51%
2011 0.41% 5.16%
2010 0.42% 5.08%
2009 0.43% 5.29%
2008 0.44% 5.64%
2007 0.46% 6.06%
2006 0.49% 6.49%
2005 0.52% 7.05%
2004 0.56% 7.41%
2003 0.6% 7.51%
2002 0.65% 7.61%
2001 0.69% 7.71%
2000 0.72% 7.79%
1999 0.73% 7.79%
1998 0.73% 7.7%
1997 0.73% 7.56%
1996 0.73% 7.39%
1995 0.73% 7.24%
1994 0.74% 7.13%
1993 0.77% 7.1%
1992 0.81% 7.14%
1991 0.87% 7.24%
1990 0.92% 7.39%
1989 0.96% 7.57%
1988 0.99% 7.81%
1987 1.02% 8.09%
1986 1.04% 8.43%
1985 1.07% 8.81%
1984 1.11% 9.22%
1983 1.17% 9.61%
1982 1.23% 9.93%
1981 1.32% 10.2%
1980 1.43% 10.3%
1979 1.56% 10.3%
1978 1.69% 10.3%
1977 1.81% 10.2%
1976 1.91% 10%
1975 2% 9.89%
1974 2.06% 9.79%
1973 2.11% 9.73%
1972 2.14% 9.68%
1971 2.17% 9.67%
1970 2.22% 9.65%
1969 2.3% 9.65%
1968 2.41% 9.64%
1967 2.55% 9.66%
1966 2.71% -
1965 2.87% -
1964 3.01% -
1963 3.13% -
1962 3.25% -
1961 3.38% -
1960 3.53% -

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.38% in Ireland and 4.07% in Namibia. 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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