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Fertility & birth rates in Kenya and North Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has an annual birth rate of 27.1 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 3.21 in Kenya and 1.78 in North Korea — 44.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 58.1% in Kenya and by 50.1% in North Korea — in 1960, it was 7.65 and 3.57, respectively.

  • Kenya is ranked 43/196 by birth rate compared to 109/196 for North Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.2 in Kenya — it's 28.8 in North Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 56.3 in Kenya vs 0.51 in North Korea.
  • In Kenya, 26.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.3% in North Korea.

Fertility rate in Kenya vs North Korea by year

Kenya
North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Kenya North Korea
2023 3.21 1.78
2022 3.26 1.8
2021 3.31 1.81
2020 3.36 1.82
2019 3.43 1.83
2018 3.54 1.83
2017 3.61 1.85
2016 3.69 1.86
2015 3.77 1.86
2014 3.84 1.87
2013 3.96 1.88
2012 4.12 1.88
2011 4.28 1.88
2010 4.45 1.89
2009 4.57 1.91
2008 4.66 1.97
2007 4.72 1.94
2006 4.75 1.94
2005 4.8 1.87
2004 4.86 1.9
2003 4.94 1.91
2002 5.03 1.92
2001 5.09 1.94
2000 5.14 1.94
1999 5.18 1.97
1998 5.24 1.99
1997 5.27 2.03
1996 5.31 2.09
1995 5.37 2.15
1994 5.44 2.18
1993 5.57 2.22
1992 5.74 2.29
1991 5.94 2.35
1990 6.14 2.39
1989 6.33 2.41
1988 6.52 2.47
1987 6.69 2.53
1986 6.84 2.59
1985 6.96 2.65
1984 7.08 2.71
1983 7.22 2.78
1982 7.35 2.85
1981 7.45 2.92
1980 7.53 2.84
1979 7.6 2.85
1978 7.67 2.79
1977 7.73 2.77
1976 7.77 2.84
1975 7.8 3.05
1974 7.82 3.14
1973 7.86 3.35
1972 7.89 3.89
1971 7.92 3.74
1970 7.94 3.85
1969 7.95 3.86
1968 7.95 3.87
1967 7.95 4.05
1966 7.96 3.71
1965 7.92 3.56
1964 7.87 3.55
1963 7.82 3.63
1962 7.77 3.41
1961 7.72 3.26
1960 7.65 3.57

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Kenya was 3.21 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 Kenya vs North Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Kenya
North Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Kenya North Korea
2023 1,100,970 86,203
2022 1,092,102 96,495
2021 1,037,082 99,710
2020 1,036,253 95,920
2019 1,071,777 106,208
2018 1,097,075 113,164
2017 1,105,769 120,181
2016 1,108,801 125,048
2015 1,119,200 127,365
2014 1,123,333 127,078
2013 1,136,006 122,519
2012 1,161,548 118,773
2011 1,185,863 114,798
2010 1,199,786 112,443
2009 1,193,598 111,530
2008 1,174,818 122,015
2007 1,147,063 120,521
2006 1,113,357 129,171
2005 1,080,446 132,765
2004 1,048,590 155,838
2003 1,018,182 178,775
2002 992,044 119,504
2001 963,721 143,321
2000 928,357 161,591
1999 898,484 181,613
1998 875,511 197,589
1997 847,493 211,325
1996 827,326 226,095
1995 812,391 233,381
1994 792,702 320,861
1993 788,579 320,880
1992 785,018 324,002
1991 790,030 320,551
1990 789,087 312,460
1989 795,622 303,078
1988 785,652 299,305
1987 775,124 296,030
1986 755,606 293,227
1985 732,739 287,714
1984 709,639 282,987
1983 684,587 279,046
1982 663,109 276,332
1981 642,379 273,800
1980 616,390 255,206
1979 595,390 251,409
1978 574,695 243,533
1977 554,124 242,870
1976 536,740 255,841
1975 517,579 288,966
1974 500,008 306,902
1973 485,556 338,600
1972 472,557 411,997
1971 459,897 393,220
1970 443,065 406,129
1969 427,819 404,189
1968 411,948 399,837
1967 396,920 414,632
1966 382,891 363,882
1965 366,444 335,587
1964 349,322 323,623
1963 332,763 321,805
1962 315,797 286,534
1961 298,463 257,788
1960 280,032 277,717

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/kenya/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 +1.99% in Kenya and +0.33% in North Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.16% in Kenya and +0.42% in North Korea.

Birth rate in Kenya vs North Korea by year

Kenya
North Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Kenya North Korea
2023 27.1 12.9
2022 27.3 13.1
2021 27.6 13.3
2020 27.8 13.4
2019 28.2 13.4
2018 29 13.4
2017 29.6 13.5
2016 30.2 13.5
2015 30.9 13.4
2014 31.5 13.4
2013 32.4 13.4
2012 33.7 13.3
2011 35 13.3
2010 36.3 13.3
2009 37.2 13.4
2008 37.9 13.9
2007 38.3 13.9
2006 38.5 14
2005 38.8 13.9
2004 39.1 14.6
2003 39.5 15.3
2002 39.9 16.1
2001 40.2 16.9
2000 40.2 17.5
1999 40.3 18.3
1998 40.6 18.9
1997 40.5 19.4
1996 40.6 20
1995 40.8 20.3
1994 40.9 20.4
1993 41.4 20.4
1992 42.1 20.5
1991 43.1 20.6
1990 43.9 20.5
1989 44.9 20.2
1988 45.6 20.2
1987 46.3 20.3
1986 46.6 20.4
1985 46.9 20.4
1984 47.2 20.4
1983 47.4 20.5
1982 47.8 20.6
1981 48.2 20.8
1980 48.2 20.1
1979 48.6 20.2
1978 48.9 20.1
1977 49.2 20.4
1976 49.6 21.5
1975 49.8 23.9
1974 50.2 25.6
1973 50.8 28.2
1972 51.5 33.7
1971 52.2 33.4
1970 52.5 35.3
1969 53.1 36.2
1968 53.5 37.1
1967 54.1 39.3
1966 54.6 36.6
1965 54.9 35.4
1964 55.1 35.4
1963 55.3 36.1
1962 55.4 34
1961 55.4 32.3
1960 55.2 34.8

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 27.1 in Kenya and 12.9 in North Korea, compared with 55.2 and 34.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Kenya North Korea
Fertility rate 3.21 1.78
Fertility rate rank 51/196 112/196
Birth rate 27.1 12.9
Birth rate rank 43/196 109/196
Population change due to births and deaths +1,100,970 +86,203
Natural population change rank 18/196 83/196
Natural population change rate +1.99% +0.33%
Population growth +1.98% +0.31%
Population growth rank 53/197 150/197
Age at first childbirth 20.3 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 28.2 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 51.6 0.49
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 168.5 120.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 46.4 13.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.4% 23.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 56.9% 68.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 70.2% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.15% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.15% 0.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.47% 1.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.99% 1.8%
Life expectancy 64.2 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Kenya
Factual

UN forecast
North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Kenya North Korea
2100 18.9% 13%
2099 19% 13.1%
2098 19.1% 13.2%
2097 19.2% 13.3%
2096 19.3% 13.4%
2095 19.5% 13.4%
2094 19.6% 13.5%
2093 19.7% 13.6%
2092 19.8% 13.7%
2091 19.9% 13.8%
2090 20% 13.8%
2089 20.1% 13.8%
2088 20.2% 13.9%
2087 20.4% 13.9%
2086 20.5% 13.9%
2085 20.7% 13.8%
2084 20.8% 13.8%
2083 21% 13.8%
2082 21.1% 13.7%
2081 21.3% 13.7%
2080 21.5% 13.7%
2079 21.7% 13.6%
2078 21.9% 13.6%
2077 22.1% 13.6%
2076 22.3% 13.6%
2075 22.5% 13.7%
2074 22.7% 13.7%
2073 22.9% 13.8%
2072 23.1% 13.8%
2071 23.3% 14%
2070 23.5% 14.1%
2069 23.7% 14.2%
2068 23.8% 14.3%
2067 24% 14.5%
2066 24.2% 14.6%
2065 24.4% 14.8%
2064 24.6% 14.9%
2063 24.8% 15%
2062 25% 15.1%
2061 25.2% 15.2%
2060 25.4% 15.3%
2059 25.6% 15.4%
2058 25.9% 15.4%
2057 26.1% 15.4%
2056 26.4% 15.4%
2055 26.7% 15.4%
2054 27% 15.4%
2053 27.3% 15.3%
2052 27.6% 15.3%
2051 28% 15.2%
2050 28.4% 15.2%
2049 28.7% 15.2%
2048 29.1% 15.2%
2047 29.5% 15.2%
2046 29.8% 15.3%
2045 30.2% 15.3%
2044 30.6% 15.5%
2043 30.9% 15.6%
2042 31.2% 15.8%
2041 31.5% 16%
2040 31.8% 16.2%
2039 32.1% 16.5%
2038 32.4% 16.7%
2037 32.6% 17%
2036 32.8% 17.2%
2035 33% 17.5%
2034 33.3% 17.8%
2033 33.5% 18%
2032 33.8% 18.2%
2031 34% 18.4%
2030 34.4% 18.6%
2029 34.7% 18.7%
2028 35% 18.8%
2027 35.5% 18.9%
2026 36% 18.9%
2025 36.5% 18.9%
2024 36.8% 18.9%
2023 37.4% 19%
2022 38.1% 19%
2021 38.7% 19.1%
2020 39.3% 19.1%
2019 39.9% 19.1%
2018 40.5% 19.2%
2017 41% 19.4%
2016 41.5% 19.6%
2015 42% 19.8%
2014 42.4% 20.1%
2013 42.8% 20.4%
2012 43.2% 20.8%
2011 43.4% 21.2%
2010 43.6% 21.6%
2009 43.8% 22.1%
2008 43.9% 22.5%
2007 44% 23%
2006 44.2% 23.4%
2005 44.4% 23.9%
2004 44.6% 24.3%
2003 45% 24.6%
2002 45.3% 25%
2001 45.7% 25.3%
2000 46.1% 25.6%
1999 46.5% 25.8%
1998 46.8% 26%
1997 47.1% 26.2%
1996 47.4% 26.3%
1995 47.7% 26.4%
1994 48% 26.4%
1993 48.4% 26.4%
1992 48.7% 26.3%
1991 48.9% 26.4%
1990 49.2% 26.5%
1989 49.5% 26.8%
1988 49.7% 27.3%
1987 49.9% 28%
1986 50.1% 29%
1985 50.3% 29.9%
1984 50.6% 30.9%
1983 50.8% 32%
1982 51.1% 33.1%
1981 51.3% 34.2%
1980 51.5% 35.1%
1979 51.7% 36%
1978 51.9% 36.9%
1977 52% 37.7%
1976 52.1% 38.3%
1975 52% 38.8%
1974 52% 39.3%
1973 52% 39.8%
1972 51.9% 40.2%
1971 51.7% 40.3%
1970 51.6% 40.1%
1969 51.4% 39.8%
1968 51.2% 39.2%
1967 50.9% 38.3%
1966 50.6% 37.3%
1965 50.2% 36.7%
1964 49.8% 36.6%
1963 49.7% 36.5%
1962 49.4% 36.6%
1961 49.1% 37%
1960 48.7% 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/kenya/north-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 36.8% of the population in Kenya and 18.9% in North Korea in 2024, compared to 49.2% and 26.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Kenya 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/kenya/north-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Kenya vs North Korea

Kenya
North Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Kenya North Korea
2023 149 67
2022 155 67
2021 183 72
2020 184 66
2019 176 66
2018 183 69
2017 186 70
2016 196 71
2015 203 72
2014 203 73
2013 206 75
2012 214 76
2011 209 76
2010 210 77
2009 208 78
2008 197 79
2007 198 80
2006 188 80
2005 178 78
2004 177 77
2003 177 76
2002 182 131
2001 188 130
2000 206 129
1999 217 129
1998 250 129
1997 253 128
1996 275 128
1995 308 127
1994 342 57
1993 363 46
1992 419 37
1991 493 38
1990 586 43
1989 663 49
1988 756 55
1987 960 62
1986 1,059 68
1985 1,375 76

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 149 deaths per 100,000 live births in Kenya, compared to 67 deaths in North Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Kenya
North Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Kenya North Korea
2023 3.99% 1.8%
2022 4.11% 1.77%
2021 4.19% 1.74%
2020 4.28% 1.74%
2019 4.33% 1.77%
2018 4.43% 1.84%
2017 4.53% 1.91%
2016 4.6% 2.06%
2015 4.74% 2.14%
2014 4.88% 2.26%
2013 5% 2.41%
2012 5.12% 2.57%
2011 5.22% 2.72%
2010 5.35% 2.87%
2009 5.54% 3%
2008 5.82% 3.1%
2007 6.32% 3.24%
2006 6.71% 3.28%
2005 7.15% 3.33%
2004 7.66% 3.38%
2003 8.16% 3.45%
2002 8.66% 9.78%
2001 9.16% 9.9%
2000 9.63% 10%
1999 10.1% 10.2%
1998 10.4% 10.3%
1997 10.7% 10.5%
1996 10.9% 10.6%
1995 11% 10.8%
1994 11% 4.25%
1993 10.9% 4.27%
1992 10.7% 4.25%
1991 10.5% 4.18%
1990 10.1% 4.07%
1989 9.85% 3.95%
1988 9.63% 3.83%
1987 9.51% 3.78%
1986 9.49% 3.68%
1985 9.57% 3.68%
1984 9.74% 3.71%
1983 9.98% 3.8%
1982 10.3% 3.91%
1981 10.6% 4.05%
1980 11% 4.22%
1979 11.4% 4.4%
1978 11.8% 4.59%
1977 12.2% 4.8%
1976 12.7% 5.03%
1975 13.1% 5.28%
1974 13.5% 5.56%
1973 14% 5.86%
1972 14.3% 6.2%
1971 14.7% 6.58%
1970 15% 6.99%
1969 15.4% 7.45%
1968 15.7% 7.94%
1967 16% 8.45%
1966 16.3% 8.96%
1965 16.6% 9.46%
1964 17% 9.92%
1963 17.5% 10.4%
1962 18.1% 10.8%
1961 18.8% 11.2%
1960 19.6% 11.6%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.99% in Kenya 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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