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Fertility & birth rates in Italy and North Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has an annual birth rate of 6.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 12.9 for North Korea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.2 in Italy and 1.78 in North Korea — 48.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50% in Italy and by 50.1% in North Korea — in 1960, it was 2.4 and 3.57, respectively.

  • Italy is ranked 190/196 by birth rate compared to 109/196 for North Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.3 in Italy — it's 28.8 in North Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 2.85 in Italy vs 0.51 in North Korea.
  • In Italy, 19.6% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.3% in North Korea.

Fertility rate in Italy vs North Korea by year

Italy
North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Italy North Korea
2023 1.2 1.78
2022 1.24 1.8
2021 1.25 1.81
2020 1.24 1.82
2019 1.27 1.83
2018 1.31 1.83
2017 1.34 1.85
2016 1.36 1.86
2015 1.36 1.86
2014 1.38 1.87
2013 1.39 1.88
2012 1.42 1.88
2011 1.42 1.88
2010 1.44 1.89
2009 1.44 1.91
2008 1.44 1.97
2007 1.39 1.94
2006 1.37 1.94
2005 1.33 1.87
2004 1.34 1.9
2003 1.29 1.91
2002 1.27 1.92
2001 1.25 1.94
2000 1.26 1.94
1999 1.23 1.97
1998 1.22 1.99
1997 1.22 2.03
1996 1.2 2.09
1995 1.19 2.15
1994 1.21 2.18
1993 1.25 2.22
1992 1.3 2.29
1991 1.3 2.35
1990 1.33 2.39
1989 1.33 2.41
1988 1.36 2.47
1987 1.33 2.53
1986 1.35 2.59
1985 1.42 2.65
1984 1.46 2.71
1983 1.51 2.78
1982 1.56 2.85
1981 1.58 2.92
1980 1.64 2.84
1979 1.73 2.85
1978 1.84 2.79
1977 1.93 2.77
1976 2.04 2.84
1975 2.17 3.05
1974 2.28 3.14
1973 2.3 3.35
1972 2.35 3.89
1971 2.4 3.74
1970 2.38 3.85
1969 2.47 3.86
1968 2.46 3.87
1967 2.5 4.05
1966 2.58 3.71
1965 2.6 3.56
1964 2.66 3.55
1963 2.51 3.63
1962 2.46 3.41
1961 2.44 3.26
1960 2.4 3.57

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Italy was 1.2 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.78 in North Korea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Italy vs North Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Italy
North Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Italy North Korea
2023 -283,125 86,203
2022 -318,674 96,495
2021 -301,579 99,710
2020 -338,801 95,920
2019 -215,025 106,208
2018 -192,475 113,164
2017 -192,007 120,181
2016 -138,265 125,048
2015 -162,620 127,365
2014 -96,513 127,078
2013 -90,468 122,519
2012 -78,248 118,773
2011 -48,021 114,798
2010 -23,928 112,443
2009 -17,866 111,530
2008 -11,842 122,015
2007 -5,876 120,521
2006 0 129,171
2005 -17,450 132,765
2004 11,566 155,838
2003 -40,179 178,775
2002 -22,836 119,504
2001 -11,396 143,321
2000 -17,082 161,591
1999 -22,766 181,613
1998 -39,835 197,589
1997 -22,756 211,325
1996 -22,744 226,095
1995 -34,107 233,381
1994 -17,053 320,861
1993 0 320,880
1992 22,718 324,002
1991 11,352 320,551
1990 22,688 312,460
1989 28,336 303,078
1988 33,977 299,305
1987 16,980 296,030
1986 11,319 293,227
1985 28,297 287,714
1984 50,919 282,987
1983 33,939 279,046
1982 79,161 276,332
1981 73,452 273,800
1980 84,650 255,206
1979 129,531 251,409
1978 168,465 243,533
1977 190,248 242,870
1976 228,445 255,841
1975 271,660 288,966
1974 336,176 306,902
1973 328,508 338,600
1972 364,355 411,997
1971 383,922 393,220
1970 376,753 406,129
1969 390,827 404,189
1968 399,268 399,837
1967 439,074 414,632
1966 488,427 363,882
1965 474,222 335,587
1964 527,089 323,623
1963 440,767 321,805
1962 427,387 286,534
1961 459,880 257,788
1960 426,697 277,717

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | 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 -0.48% in Italy and +0.33% in North Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been -0.38% in Italy and +0.42% in North Korea.

Birth rate in Italy vs North Korea by year

Italy
North Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Italy North Korea
2023 6.4 12.9
2022 6.7 13.1
2021 6.8 13.3
2020 6.8 13.4
2019 7 13.4
2018 7.3 13.4
2017 7.6 13.5
2016 7.9 13.5
2015 8.1 13.4
2014 8.3 13.4
2013 8.5 13.4
2012 8.9 13.3
2011 9.1 13.3
2010 9.4 13.3
2009 9.6 13.4
2008 9.7 13.9
2007 9.6 13.9
2006 9.6 14
2005 9.5 13.9
2004 9.7 14.6
2003 9.5 15.3
2002 9.4 16.1
2001 9.4 16.9
2000 9.5 17.5
1999 9.4 18.3
1998 9.3 18.9
1997 9.4 19.4
1996 9.3 20
1995 9.2 20.3
1994 9.4 20.4
1993 9.7 20.4
1992 10 20.5
1991 9.9 20.6
1990 10 20.5
1989 9.9 20.2
1988 10.1 20.2
1987 9.7 20.3
1986 9.8 20.4
1985 10.2 20.4
1984 10.4 20.4
1983 10.6 20.5
1982 10.9 20.6
1981 11 20.8
1980 11.3 20.1
1979 11.9 20.2
1978 12.6 20.1
1977 13.2 20.4
1976 14 21.5
1975 14.9 23.9
1974 15.8 25.6
1973 16 28.2
1972 16.3 33.7
1971 16.8 33.4
1970 16.7 35.3
1969 17.4 36.2
1968 17.5 37.1
1967 17.9 39.3
1966 18.7 36.6
1965 19 35.4
1964 19.7 35.4
1963 18.7 36.1
1962 18.4 34
1961 18.4 32.3
1960 18.1 34.8

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 6.4 in Italy and 12.9 in North Korea, compared with 18.1 and 34.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Italy North Korea
Fertility rate 1.2 1.78
Fertility rate rank 182/196 112/196
Birth rate 6.4 12.9
Birth rate rank 190/196 109/196
Population change due to births and deaths -283,125 +86,203
Natural population change rank 191/196 83/196
Natural population change rate -0.48% +0.33%
Population growth -0.05% +0.31%
Population growth rank 170/197 150/197
Age at first childbirth 31.8 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 32.3 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 2.92 0.49
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 38.3 120.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 11.7 13.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 19.6% 23.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 51.8% 68.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.8% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.006% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.16% 0.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.23% 1.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.28% 1.8%
Life expectancy 84.2 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Italy
Factual

UN forecast
North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Italy North Korea
2100 11.1% 13%
2099 11.1% 13.1%
2098 11.1% 13.2%
2097 11.1% 13.3%
2096 11.1% 13.4%
2095 11.1% 13.4%
2094 11.1% 13.5%
2093 11.2% 13.6%
2092 11.2% 13.7%
2091 11.2% 13.8%
2090 11.2% 13.8%
2089 11.3% 13.8%
2088 11.3% 13.9%
2087 11.3% 13.9%
2086 11.3% 13.9%
2085 11.3% 13.8%
2084 11.3% 13.8%
2083 11.3% 13.8%
2082 11.3% 13.7%
2081 11.2% 13.7%
2080 11.2% 13.7%
2079 11.2% 13.6%
2078 11.1% 13.6%
2077 11.1% 13.6%
2076 11% 13.6%
2075 10.9% 13.7%
2074 10.9% 13.7%
2073 10.8% 13.8%
2072 10.8% 13.8%
2071 10.7% 14%
2070 10.7% 14.1%
2069 10.6% 14.2%
2068 10.6% 14.3%
2067 10.6% 14.5%
2066 10.5% 14.6%
2065 10.5% 14.8%
2064 10.5% 14.9%
2063 10.6% 15%
2062 10.6% 15.1%
2061 10.6% 15.2%
2060 10.6% 15.3%
2059 10.7% 15.4%
2058 10.7% 15.4%
2057 10.8% 15.4%
2056 10.8% 15.4%
2055 10.8% 15.4%
2054 10.9% 15.4%
2053 10.9% 15.3%
2052 10.9% 15.3%
2051 10.9% 15.2%
2050 10.9% 15.2%
2049 10.9% 15.2%
2048 10.8% 15.2%
2047 10.8% 15.2%
2046 10.7% 15.3%
2045 10.7% 15.3%
2044 10.6% 15.5%
2043 10.6% 15.6%
2042 10.5% 15.8%
2041 10.5% 16%
2040 10.4% 16.2%
2039 10.4% 16.5%
2038 10.3% 16.7%
2037 10.3% 17%
2036 10.3% 17.2%
2035 10.3% 17.5%
2034 10.4% 17.8%
2033 10.4% 18%
2032 10.5% 18.2%
2031 10.7% 18.4%
2030 10.8% 18.6%
2029 11% 18.7%
2028 11.1% 18.8%
2027 11.3% 18.9%
2026 11.5% 18.9%
2025 11.8% 18.9%
2024 11.9% 18.9%
2023 12.1% 19%
2022 12.4% 19%
2021 12.6% 19.1%
2020 12.8% 19.1%
2019 13% 19.1%
2018 13.2% 19.2%
2017 13.4% 19.4%
2016 13.6% 19.6%
2015 13.7% 19.8%
2014 13.8% 20.1%
2013 13.9% 20.4%
2012 14% 20.8%
2011 14% 21.2%
2010 14% 21.6%
2009 14% 22.1%
2008 14% 22.5%
2007 14% 23%
2006 14.1% 23.4%
2005 14.1% 23.9%
2004 14.2% 24.3%
2003 14.2% 24.6%
2002 14.2% 25%
2001 14.2% 25.3%
2000 14.3% 25.6%
1999 14.3% 25.8%
1998 14.3% 26%
1997 14.4% 26.2%
1996 14.5% 26.3%
1995 14.6% 26.4%
1994 14.8% 26.4%
1993 15% 26.4%
1992 15.2% 26.3%
1991 15.8% 26.4%
1990 16.5% 26.5%
1989 17% 26.8%
1988 17.5% 27.3%
1987 18.1% 28%
1986 18.7% 29%
1985 19.3% 29.9%
1984 19.9% 30.9%
1983 20.5% 32%
1982 21.1% 33.1%
1981 21.6% 34.2%
1980 22.3% 35.1%
1979 22.8% 36%
1978 23.4% 36.9%
1977 23.7% 37.7%
1976 24.1% 38.3%
1975 24.3% 38.8%
1974 24.5% 39.3%
1973 24.6% 39.8%
1972 24.6% 40.2%
1971 24.6% 40.3%
1970 24.7% 40.1%
1969 24.7% 39.8%
1968 24.6% 39.2%
1967 24.6% 38.3%
1966 24.5% 37.3%
1965 24.5% 36.7%
1964 24.5% 36.6%
1963 24.5% 36.5%
1962 24.7% 36.6%
1961 25% 37%
1960 25% 37.5%

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/italy/north-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 11.9% of the population in Italy and 18.9% in North Korea in 2024, compared to 16.5% and 26.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Italy and North Korea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Italy vs North Korea

Italy
North Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Italy North Korea
2023 6 67
2022 10 67
2021 7 72
2020 8 66
2019 7 66
2018 7 69
2017 8 70
2016 8 71
2015 8 72
2014 8 73
2013 8 75
2012 8 76
2011 8 76
2010 8 77
2009 8 78
2008 7 79
2007 7 80
2006 7 80
2005 8 78
2004 8 77
2003 8 76
2002 10 131
2001 10 130
2000 11 129
1999 11 129
1998 12 129
1997 13 128
1996 14 128
1995 15 127
1994 15 57
1993 16 46
1992 17 37
1991 18 38
1990 18 43
1989 19 49
1988 20 55
1987 21 62
1986 22 68
1985 22 76

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 6 deaths per 100,000 live births in Italy, compared to 67 deaths in North Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Italy
North Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Italy North Korea
2023 0.28% 1.8%
2022 0.28% 1.77%
2021 0.29% 1.74%
2020 0.3% 1.74%
2019 0.31% 1.77%
2018 0.32% 1.84%
2017 0.33% 1.91%
2016 0.34% 2.06%
2015 0.35% 2.14%
2014 0.36% 2.26%
2013 0.37% 2.41%
2012 0.38% 2.57%
2011 0.39% 2.72%
2010 0.4% 2.87%
2009 0.41% 3%
2008 0.41% 3.1%
2007 0.42% 3.24%
2006 0.43% 3.28%
2005 0.45% 3.33%
2004 0.46% 3.38%
2003 0.48% 3.45%
2002 0.51% 9.78%
2001 0.53% 9.9%
2000 0.56% 10%
1999 0.59% 10.2%
1998 0.62% 10.3%
1997 0.66% 10.5%
1996 0.7% 10.6%
1995 0.75% 10.8%
1994 0.8% 4.25%
1993 0.85% 4.27%
1992 0.89% 4.25%
1991 0.93% 4.18%
1990 0.97% 4.07%
1989 1% 3.95%
1988 1.04% 3.83%
1987 1.08% 3.78%
1986 1.14% 3.68%
1985 1.2% 3.68%
1984 1.27% 3.71%
1983 1.35% 3.8%
1982 1.43% 3.91%
1981 1.52% 4.05%
1980 1.61% 4.22%
1979 1.7% 4.4%
1978 1.82% 4.59%
1977 1.95% 4.8%
1976 2.11% 5.03%
1975 2.31% 5.28%
1974 2.53% 5.56%
1973 2.76% 5.86%
1972 2.98% 6.2%
1971 3.18% 6.58%
1970 3.36% 6.99%
1969 3.51% 7.45%
1968 3.64% 7.94%
1967 3.78% 8.45%
1966 3.93% 8.96%
1965 4.11% 9.46%
1964 4.31% 9.92%
1963 4.53% 10.4%
1962 4.76% 10.8%
1961 4.98% 11.2%
1960 5.19% 11.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/italy/north-korea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.28% in Italy and 1.8% in North Korea. 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)

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