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Fertility & birth rates in Ireland and Rwanda

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has an annual birth rate of 10.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.3 for Rwanda. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.5 in Ireland and 3.7 in Rwanda — 146.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 60.3% in Ireland and by 55.4% in Rwanda — in 1960, it was 3.78 and 8.28, respectively.

  • Ireland is ranked 142/196 by birth rate compared to 38/196 for Rwanda.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 31.6 years in Ireland, compared to 23 years in Rwanda.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.7 in Ireland — it's 30.6 in Rwanda.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 4.07 in Ireland vs 30.8 in Rwanda.
  • In Ireland, 23.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.2% in Rwanda.

Fertility rate in Ireland vs Rwanda by year

Ireland
Rwanda
1x
Year Fertility rate
Ireland Rwanda
2023 1.5 3.7
2022 1.54 3.78
2021 1.78 3.84
2020 1.63 3.91
2019 1.71 3.99
2018 1.75 4.05
2017 1.77 4.08
2016 1.81 4.11
2015 1.85 4.11
2014 1.89 4.12
2013 1.93 4.14
2012 1.98 4.2
2011 2.03 4.33
2010 2.05 4.52
2009 2.06 4.71
2008 2.06 4.92
2007 2.01 5.14
2006 1.91 5.34
2005 1.86 5.5
2004 1.93 5.64
2003 1.96 5.74
2002 1.97 5.82
2001 1.94 5.89
2000 1.89 5.97
1999 1.9 6.06
1998 1.94 6.17
1997 1.93 6.24
1996 1.88 6.29
1995 1.84 6.35
1994 1.85 6.42
1993 1.9 6.48
1992 1.99 6.54
1991 2.08 6.62
1990 2.11 6.8
1989 2.08 7.03
1988 2.17 7.23
1987 2.32 7.43
1986 2.44 7.61
1985 2.48 7.79
1984 2.58 7.91
1983 2.74 8
1982 2.94 8.06
1981 3.05 8.1
1980 3.21 8.12
1979 3.21 8.13
1978 3.21 8.16
1977 3.24 8.14
1976 3.29 8.12
1975 3.37 8.1
1974 3.59 8.1
1973 3.71 8.09
1972 3.84 8.09
1971 3.93 8.09
1970 3.85 8.15
1969 3.83 8.18
1968 3.77 8.19
1967 3.84 8.21
1966 3.94 8.23
1965 4.04 8.25
1964 4.07 8.27
1963 4.01 8.27
1962 3.92 8.27
1961 3.78 8.28
1960 3.78 8.28

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/rwanda | 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 3.7 in Rwanda in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Ireland
Rwanda
1x
Year Natural population change
Ireland Rwanda
2023 19,652 312,762
2022 19,287 312,145
2021 26,064 309,895
2020 23,687 312,692
2019 28,365 313,525
2018 29,878 312,512
2017 31,379 310,323
2016 33,339 305,549
2015 35,265 299,114
2014 37,728 292,779
2013 39,302 286,331
2012 42,775 282,584
2011 45,801 282,922
2010 47,426 286,848
2009 47,168 287,034
2008 46,691 287,334
2007 43,109 285,791
2006 36,752 282,149
2005 33,279 275,121
2004 33,376 265,273
2003 32,372 251,243
2002 31,062 239,036
2001 27,837 230,845
2000 23,592 221,276
1999 21,402 210,518
1998 22,277 197,185
1997 21,311 174,687
1996 18,915 140,455
1995 16,601 121,137
1994 17,234 -719,479
1993 17,166 183,926
1992 20,283 188,025
1991 21,206 196,431
1990 21,787 207,895
1989 20,012 217,632
1988 22,912 223,759
1987 26,904 225,744
1986 27,963 225,526
1985 29,013 223,794
1984 31,791 219,337
1983 34,053 212,750
1982 38,344 205,147
1981 39,364 195,769
1980 40,612 184,988
1979 38,798 174,477
1978 36,288 163,779
1977 35,448 155,011
1976 33,676 147,665
1975 34,128 140,596
1974 34,199 135,743
1973 34,562 131,021
1972 34,316 126,403
1971 35,606 122,567
1970 30,756 119,273
1969 29,326 115,394
1968 27,697 111,422
1967 29,895 108,053
1966 26,866 105,128
1965 30,500 103,422
1964 31,532 102,562
1963 29,667 94,296
1962 28,077 102,548
1961 25,137 102,051
1960 28,286 100,627

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/rwanda | 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 +2.24% in Rwanda.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.58% in Ireland and +2.45% in Rwanda.

Birth rate in Ireland vs Rwanda by year

Ireland
Rwanda

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Ireland Rwanda
2023 10.3 28.3
2022 10.4 28.9
2021 11.8 29.4
2020 11.1 30
2019 11.9 30.7
2018 12.5 31.2
2017 12.8 31.7
2016 13.4 32
2015 13.9 32.1
2014 14.4 32.2
2013 14.9 32.4
2012 15.6 32.9
2011 16.2 33.8
2010 16.5 35.1
2009 16.7 36.3
2008 16.7 37.6
2007 16.2 38.8
2006 15.3 39.9
2005 14.8 40.6
2004 15.2 41.1
2003 15.4 41.4
2002 15.4 41.8
2001 15 42.1
2000 14.4 42.1
1999 14.4 42.1
1998 14.5 42.2
1997 14.4 40.5
1996 13.9 37.2
1995 13.5 39.5
1994 13.4 48
1993 13.8 41.5
1992 14.4 42.2
1991 14.9 42.8
1990 15.1 44.1
1989 14.8 45.3
1988 15.5 46.6
1987 16.5 47.8
1986 17.4 49
1985 17.6 50.2
1984 18.1 51.1
1983 19.1 51.8
1982 20.3 52.4
1981 20.9 52.7
1980 21.7 52.7
1979 21.5 52.5
1978 21.1 52.1
1977 21 51.6
1976 20.9 51.1
1975 21.1 50.4
1974 22 50
1973 22.3 49.4
1972 22.6 48.9
1971 22.6 48.5
1970 21.8 48.2
1969 21.5 47.9
1968 20.9 47.6
1967 21.1 47.4
1966 21.5 47.6
1965 22.1 48
1964 22.4 48.8
1963 22.2 49.8
1962 21.8 50.9
1961 21.2 52
1960 21.5 52.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.3 in Ireland and 28.3 in Rwanda, compared with 21.5 and 52.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Ireland Rwanda
Fertility rate 1.5 3.7
Fertility rate rank 145/196 38/196
Birth rate 10.3 28.3
Birth rate rank 142/196 38/196
Population change due to births and deaths +19,652 +312,762
Natural population change rank 109/196 51/196
Natural population change rate +0.37% +2.24%
Population growth +1.59% +2.16%
Population growth rank 68/197 45/197
Age at first childbirth 31.6 years 23 years
Average age at childbearing 32.7 years 30.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 4.15 29.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 42.8 156.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 21.9 65.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.7% 26.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 70.9% 58.4%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.7% 94.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.23%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.25% 1.81%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.34% 3.05%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.38% 4%
Life expectancy 82.9 years 68.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Ireland
Factual

UN forecast
Rwanda
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Ireland Rwanda
2100 12.7% 18.7%
2099 12.7% 18.9%
2098 12.8% 19%
2097 12.8% 19.1%
2096 12.9% 19.3%
2095 13% 19.4%
2094 13.1% 19.6%
2093 13.2% 19.7%
2092 13.3% 19.9%
2091 13.4% 20%
2090 13.4% 20.2%
2089 13.5% 20.4%
2088 13.6% 20.5%
2087 13.7% 20.7%
2086 13.7% 20.9%
2085 13.8% 21.1%
2084 13.8% 21.3%
2083 13.8% 21.5%
2082 13.8% 21.7%
2081 13.8% 21.9%
2080 13.7% 22.1%
2079 13.7% 22.2%
2078 13.6% 22.4%
2077 13.6% 22.6%
2076 13.5% 22.8%
2075 13.5% 23%
2074 13.4% 23.2%
2073 13.4% 23.4%
2072 13.4% 23.6%
2071 13.3% 23.8%
2070 13.3% 24%
2069 13.4% 24.2%
2068 13.4% 24.4%
2067 13.5% 24.6%
2066 13.5% 24.9%
2065 13.6% 25.1%
2064 13.8% 25.3%
2063 13.9% 25.6%
2062 14% 25.8%
2061 14.2% 26.1%
2060 14.4% 26.4%
2059 14.6% 26.7%
2058 14.7% 27%
2057 14.9% 27.3%
2056 15.1% 27.6%
2055 15.2% 27.9%
2054 15.3% 28.3%
2053 15.5% 28.6%
2052 15.6% 28.9%
2051 15.6% 29.2%
2050 15.7% 29.5%
2049 15.7% 29.8%
2048 15.7% 30.1%
2047 15.7% 30.4%
2046 15.6% 30.7%
2045 15.6% 31%
2044 15.5% 31.2%
2043 15.4% 31.5%
2042 15.3% 31.8%
2041 15.3% 32.1%
2040 15.2% 32.4%
2039 15.2% 32.7%
2038 15.1% 33%
2037 15.1% 33.3%
2036 15.3% 33.6%
2035 15.3% 33.9%
2034 15.5% 34.2%
2033 15.7% 34.6%
2032 15.9% 34.9%
2031 16.1% 35.2%
2030 16.4% 35.6%
2029 16.7% 35.9%
2028 17% 36.2%
2027 17.4% 36.5%
2026 17.9% 36.9%
2025 18.3% 37.2%
2024 18.6% 37.4%
2023 19% 37.7%
2022 19.5% 38.2%
2021 19.8% 38.6%
2020 20.1% 39.2%
2019 20.4% 39.7%
2018 20.7% 40.1%
2017 20.9% 40.5%
2016 21.2% 40.9%
2015 21.3% 41.1%
2014 21.4% 41.4%
2013 21.5% 41.7%
2012 21.5% 41.9%
2011 21.4% 42.2%
2010 21.1% 42.4%
2009 20.7% 42.6%
2008 20.5% 42.8%
2007 20.3% 42.9%
2006 20.4% 42.9%
2005 20.6% 43.1%
2004 20.8% 43.3%
2003 21% 43.7%
2002 21.1% 44.3%
2001 21.4% 45.2%
2000 21.8% 46.4%
1999 22.1% 47.8%
1998 22.5% 49.2%
1997 23% 50.5%
1996 23.6% 51.4%
1995 24.2% 52.4%
1994 24.9% 50.1%
1993 25.5% 48.4%
1992 26% 48.7%
1991 26.6% 48.9%
1990 27.1% 49%
1989 27.6% 48.9%
1988 28.1% 48.9%
1987 28.5% 48.8%
1986 28.9% 48.6%
1985 29.3% 48.3%
1984 29.6% 48.1%
1983 29.9% 47.7%
1982 30.1% 47.4%
1981 30.3% 47.1%
1980 30.4% 46.8%
1979 30.5% 46.5%
1978 30.7% 46.4%
1977 30.9% 46.4%
1976 31% 46.4%
1975 31.1% 46.6%
1974 31.2% 46.9%
1973 31.2% 47.2%
1972 31.2% 47.5%
1971 31.2% 47.9%
1970 31.1% 48.2%
1969 31.1% 48.7%
1968 31.1% 49.2%
1967 31.1% 49.7%
1966 31.1% 50.2%
1965 31.1% 50.6%
1964 30.9% 50.8%
1963 30.9% 50.6%
1962 30.9% 50.2%
1961 31% 49.7%
1960 30.9% 49.2%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.6% of the population in Ireland and 37.4% in Rwanda in 2024, compared to 27.1% and 49% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Ireland and Rwanda compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Ireland vs Rwanda

Ireland
Rwanda
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Ireland Rwanda
2023 4 229
2022 7 234
2021 6 254
2020 6 252
2019 4 261
2018 5 269
2017 4 275
2016 4 278
2015 5 292
2014 5 301
2013 5 317
2012 6 331
2011 6 358
2010 6 393
2009 6 418
2008 6 454
2007 6 494
2006 6 494
2005 6 465
2004 6 460
2003 6 551
2002 7 677
2001 7 769
2000 8 885
1999 7 1,073
1998 8 1,268
1997 8 1,318
1996 8 1,295
1995 9 1,505
1994 9 5,721
1993 9 1,619
1992 10 1,530
1991 10 1,386
1990 11 1,309
1989 10 1,238
1988 11 1,188
1987 10 1,145
1986 11 1,126
1985 11 1,116

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/ireland/rwanda | 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 229 deaths in Rwanda.

Under-five mortality rates

Ireland
Rwanda

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Ireland Rwanda
2023 0.38% 4%
2022 0.37% 4.08%
2021 0.36% 4.16%
2020 0.35% 4.25%
2019 0.34% 4.34%
2018 0.34% 4.43%
2017 0.35% 4.52%
2016 0.36% 4.63%
2015 0.37% 4.78%
2014 0.38% 4.96%
2013 0.39% 5.17%
2012 0.4% 5.45%
2011 0.41% 5.81%
2010 0.42% 6.33%
2009 0.43% 6.92%
2008 0.44% 7.62%
2007 0.46% 8.45%
2006 0.49% 9.37%
2005 0.52% 10.5%
2004 0.56% 11.8%
2003 0.6% 13.3%
2002 0.65% 14.9%
2001 0.69% 16.7%
2000 0.72% 18.5%
1999 0.73% 20.2%
1998 0.73% 21.5%
1997 0.73% 22.2%
1996 0.73% 22.2%
1995 0.73% 21.8%
1994 0.74% 38.9%
1993 0.77% 19.3%
1992 0.81% 17.5%
1991 0.87% 16%
1990 0.92% 15.1%
1989 0.96% 14.8%
1988 0.99% 14.8%
1987 1.02% 15.2%
1986 1.04% 15.6%
1985 1.07% 16.1%
1984 1.11% 16.6%
1983 1.17% 17.4%
1982 1.23% 18.6%
1981 1.32% 20.1%
1980 1.43% 21.8%
1979 1.56% 23.4%
1978 1.69% 24.6%
1977 1.81% 25.1%
1976 1.91% 25.1%
1975 2% 24.6%
1974 2.06% 24%
1973 2.11% 23.4%
1972 2.14% 23%
1971 2.17% 22.6%
1970 2.22% 22.3%
1969 2.3% 22%
1968 2.41% 21.7%
1967 2.55% 21.4%
1966 2.71% 21.2%
1965 2.87% 21.1%
1964 3.01% 21.1%
1963 3.13% 21.3%
1962 3.25% 21.5%
1961 3.38% 21.9%
1960 3.53% 22.4%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.38% in Ireland and 4% in Rwanda. 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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