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Fertility & birth rates in Laos and Malaysia

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has an annual birth rate of 21.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 12.4 for Malaysia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.42 in Laos and 1.55 in Malaysia — 36% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 61.5% in Laos and by 75.8% in Malaysia — in 1960, it was 6.29 and 6.41, respectively.

  • Laos is ranked 65/196 by birth rate compared to 112/196 for Malaysia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 26.1 in Laos — it's 31 in Malaysia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 81.7 in Laos vs 5.96 in Malaysia.
  • In Laos, 27% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.5% in Malaysia.

Fertility rate in Laos vs Malaysia by year

Laos
Malaysia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Laos Malaysia
2023 2.42 1.55
2022 2.46 1.55
2021 2.49 1.56
2020 2.54 1.68
2019 2.59 1.78
2018 2.63 1.84
2017 2.69 1.89
2016 2.74 1.94
2015 2.8 2.01
2014 2.8 2.06
2013 2.87 2.07
2012 2.95 2.12
2011 3.05 2.15
2010 3.14 2.14
2009 3.23 2.22
2008 3.33 2.26
2007 3.44 2.25
2006 3.56 2.31
2005 3.69 2.39
2004 3.9 2.49
2003 4.02 2.6
2002 4.13 2.66
2001 4.29 2.81
2000 4.43 2.94
1999 4.64 3.07
1998 4.79 3.12
1997 4.96 3.23
1996 5.15 3.3
1995 5.36 3.32
1994 5.6 3.35
1993 5.8 3.36
1992 5.9 3.37
1991 5.99 3.34
1990 6.06 3.3
1989 6.1 3.31
1988 6.16 3.5
1987 6.21 3.57
1986 6.26 3.7
1985 6.33 3.8
1984 6.37 3.89
1983 6.38 3.93
1982 6.37 3.97
1981 6.35 4
1980 6.33 4.04
1979 6.31 4.09
1978 6.3 4.18
1977 6.29 4.28
1976 6.29 4.4
1975 6.29 4.5
1974 6.29 4.62
1973 6.28 4.73
1972 6.28 4.82
1971 6.3 4.92
1970 6.31 5.04
1969 6.3 5.16
1968 6.3 5.29
1967 6.31 5.43
1966 6.31 5.64
1965 6.32 5.84
1964 6.31 6.03
1963 6.32 6.19
1962 6.31 6.3
1961 6.31 6.37
1960 6.29 6.41

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Laos was 2.42 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.55 in Malaysia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Laos vs Malaysia population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Laos
Malaysia
1x
Year Natural population change
Laos Malaysia
2023 115,359 254,806
2022 116,620 237,560
2021 115,323 212,002
2020 118,609 283,282
2019 119,797 309,426
2018 119,986 324,568
2017 120,515 336,434
2016 119,978 345,681
2015 118,723 358,302
2014 118,103 367,587
2013 119,845 366,738
2012 121,324 371,497
2011 122,863 372,836
2010 122,516 360,260
2009 122,174 366,157
2008 121,042 362,380
2007 119,980 348,711
2006 118,602 349,509
2005 118,165 355,324
2004 121,888 365,138
2003 122,158 377,425
2002 122,110 381,084
2001 123,847 400,939
2000 124,201 417,371
1999 127,255 432,355
1998 128,409 436,316
1997 130,388 447,768
1996 131,142 450,174
1995 132,241 443,349
1994 134,201 437,873
1993 135,295 429,910
1992 132,417 418,900
1991 129,523 401,938
1990 125,297 384,518
1989 121,044 373,277
1988 117,050 386,507
1987 113,005 381,999
1986 109,266 385,799
1985 106,047 383,243
1984 102,318 376,797
1983 98,178 365,290
1982 94,058 353,138
1981 89,963 339,991
1980 86,548 326,947
1979 82,852 317,439
1978 80,604 311,027
1977 79,149 305,515
1976 77,575 300,615
1975 76,725 294,541
1974 74,652 289,880
1973 70,513 284,611
1972 68,095 276,263
1971 65,959 272,323
1970 63,896 269,341
1969 61,595 264,327
1968 59,567 260,705
1967 57,763 258,764
1966 55,494 262,162
1965 54,268 264,836
1964 52,482 266,406
1963 51,056 265,815
1962 51,244 262,140
1961 48,992 257,270
1960 47,575 251,090

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | 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 +1.51% in Laos and +0.73% in Malaysia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.65% in Laos and +0.92% in Malaysia.

Birth rate in Laos vs Malaysia by year

Laos
Malaysia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Laos Malaysia
2023 21.3 12.4
2022 21.7 12.4
2021 22.1 12.4
2020 22.6 13.4
2019 23.2 14.2
2018 23.6 14.8
2017 24.1 15.3
2016 24.6 15.8
2015 25 16.3
2014 25 16.7
2013 25.6 16.8
2012 26.2 17
2011 26.8 17.2
2010 27.2 16.9
2009 27.6 17.3
2008 27.9 17.4
2007 28.1 17.1
2006 28.4 17.4
2005 28.8 17.9
2004 30.1 18.7
2003 30.7 19.6
2002 31.2 20.1
2001 32.1 21.4
2000 32.9 22.6
1999 34.2 23.8
1998 35.1 24.4
1997 36.2 25.4
1996 37.2 26.1
1995 38.5 26.3
1994 40 26.6
1993 41.2 26.8
1992 41.7 26.8
1991 42.2 26.5
1990 42.5 26.2
1989 42.6 26.3
1988 42.8 27.8
1987 43 28.3
1986 43.1 29.4
1985 43.5 30.1
1984 43.6 30.6
1983 43.5 30.7
1982 43.4 30.8
1981 43.3 30.8
1980 43.4 30.7
1979 43.5 30.8
1978 43.8 31
1977 44.1 31.3
1976 44.3 31.7
1975 44.4 32
1974 44.4 32.3
1973 44.3 32.7
1972 44.3 32.7
1971 44.3 33.2
1970 44.3 33.7
1969 44.2 34
1968 44.2 34.5
1967 44.2 35.1
1966 44.2 36.4
1965 44.3 37.7
1964 44.3 39.1
1963 44.5 40.4
1962 44.6 41.3
1961 44.8 42.2
1960 44.9 42.9

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 21.3 in Laos and 12.4 in Malaysia, compared with 44.9 and 42.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Laos Malaysia
Fertility rate 2.42 1.55
Fertility rate rank 78/196 133/196
Birth rate 21.3 12.4
Birth rate rank 65/196 112/196
Population change due to births and deaths +115,359 +254,806
Natural population change rank 75/196 54/196
Natural population change rate +1.51% +0.73%
Population growth +1.37% +1.23%
Population growth rank 77/197 89/197
Average age at childbearing 26.1 years 31 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 81.7 5.24
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 131.8 66
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 21.5 25.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27% 26.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 51% 34.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 64.4% 99.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.11% 0.03%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2% 0.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.52% 0.68%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.9% 0.81%
Life expectancy 69.7 years 77.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Laos
Factual

UN forecast
Malaysia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Laos Malaysia
2100 14.8% 13.3%
2099 14.9% 13.3%
2098 14.9% 13.4%
2097 15% 13.4%
2096 15.1% 13.4%
2095 15.1% 13.4%
2094 15.2% 13.5%
2093 15.3% 13.5%
2092 15.4% 13.5%
2091 15.4% 13.6%
2090 15.5% 13.6%
2089 15.6% 13.7%
2088 15.7% 13.7%
2087 15.8% 13.7%
2086 15.9% 13.8%
2085 16% 13.8%
2084 16.1% 13.8%
2083 16.1% 13.9%
2082 16.2% 13.9%
2081 16.3% 13.9%
2080 16.4% 13.9%
2079 16.5% 13.9%
2078 16.6% 13.9%
2077 16.8% 13.9%
2076 16.9% 13.9%
2075 17% 13.9%
2074 17.1% 13.9%
2073 17.2% 13.9%
2072 17.3% 13.9%
2071 17.5% 13.9%
2070 17.6% 13.9%
2069 17.7% 14%
2068 17.9% 14%
2067 18.1% 14.1%
2066 18.2% 14.1%
2065 18.4% 14.2%
2064 18.5% 14.3%
2063 18.7% 14.4%
2062 18.9% 14.5%
2061 19.1% 14.6%
2060 19.3% 14.8%
2059 19.5% 14.9%
2058 19.7% 15.1%
2057 19.9% 15.2%
2056 20.1% 15.4%
2055 20.4% 15.5%
2054 20.6% 15.7%
2053 20.8% 15.8%
2052 21% 16%
2051 21.3% 16.1%
2050 21.5% 16.2%
2049 21.8% 16.3%
2048 22% 16.4%
2047 22.3% 16.5%
2046 22.5% 16.6%
2045 22.8% 16.7%
2044 23.1% 16.8%
2043 23.3% 16.9%
2042 23.6% 16.9%
2041 24% 17%
2040 24.3% 17.1%
2039 24.6% 17.1%
2038 24.9% 17.2%
2037 25.3% 17.3%
2036 25.7% 17.3%
2035 26% 17.5%
2034 26.4% 17.7%
2033 26.9% 18%
2032 27.3% 18.3%
2031 27.7% 18.7%
2030 28.2% 19.2%
2029 28.6% 19.7%
2028 28.9% 20.1%
2027 29.3% 20.6%
2026 29.7% 21.1%
2025 30% 21.6%
2024 30.2% 21.8%
2023 30.6% 22.3%
2022 30.9% 22.8%
2021 31.3% 23.4%
2020 31.6% 24%
2019 31.9% 24.5%
2018 32.2% 24.9%
2017 32.5% 25.2%
2016 32.9% 25.5%
2015 33.2% 25.8%
2014 33.7% 26.2%
2013 34.3% 26.6%
2012 34.9% 27%
2011 35.6% 27.4%
2010 36.3% 27.9%
2009 37.1% 28.6%
2008 38% 29.4%
2007 39% 30%
2006 40% 30.7%
2005 40.9% 31.4%
2004 41.5% 32%
2003 42% 32.6%
2002 42.5% 33.2%
2001 42.9% 33.7%
2000 43.2% 34.2%
1999 43.5% 34.6%
1998 43.7% 35%
1997 43.8% 35.3%
1996 43.9% 35.5%
1995 43.9% 35.7%
1994 44% 36%
1993 43.9% 36.3%
1992 43.9% 36.6%
1991 43.9% 36.9%
1990 43.9% 37.2%
1989 43.9% 37.5%
1988 43.9% 37.7%
1987 44% 37.9%
1986 44% 38%
1985 44% 38.1%
1984 44.1% 38.2%
1983 44.1% 38.4%
1982 44.1% 38.6%
1981 44% 38.8%
1980 43.9% 39.2%
1979 43.8% 39.6%
1978 43.5% 40.1%
1977 43.2% 40.6%
1976 43% 41.1%
1975 42.7% 41.7%
1974 42.5% 42.2%
1973 42.4% 42.8%
1972 42.4% 43.4%
1971 42.3% 44%
1970 42.2% 44.5%
1969 42.2% 45%
1968 42.2% 45.5%
1967 42.2% 45.9%
1966 42.2% 46.2%
1965 42.2% 46.5%
1964 42.1% 46.6%
1963 42% 46.5%
1962 41.9% 46.3%
1961 41.8% 45.9%
1960 41.8% 45.4%

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/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 30.2% of the population in Laos and 21.8% in Malaysia in 2024, compared to 43.9% and 37.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Laos and Malaysia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Laos vs Malaysia

Laos
Malaysia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Laos Malaysia
2023 112 26
2022 120 38
2021 139 52
2020 132 29
2019 137 28
2018 145 29
2017 154 29
2016 165 30
2015 180 30
2014 193 30
2013 215 29
2012 241 29
2011 267 29
2010 305 29
2009 336 29
2008 374 29
2007 402 30
2006 432 30
2005 458 31
2004 492 33
2003 524 34
2002 550 34
2001 574 36
2000 609 37
1999 638 38
1998 647 39
1997 660 40
1996 682 42
1995 709 43
1994 741 44
1993 751 46
1992 781 48
1991 798 49
1990 834 51
1989 856 52
1988 898 55
1987 930 56
1986 963 59
1985 994 63

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 112 deaths per 100,000 live births in Laos, compared to 26 deaths in Malaysia.

Under-five mortality rates

Laos
Malaysia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Laos Malaysia
2023 3.9% 0.81%
2022 4.04% 0.81%
2021 4.19% 0.81%
2020 4.34% 0.81%
2019 4.51% 0.82%
2018 4.68% 0.82%
2017 4.88% 0.82%
2016 5.09% 0.82%
2015 5.32% 0.81%
2014 5.58% 0.81%
2013 5.86% 0.81%
2012 6.15% 0.8%
2011 6.47% 0.81%
2010 6.8% 0.81%
2009 7.14% 0.82%
2008 7.5% 0.82%
2007 7.88% 0.82%
2006 8.27% 0.83%
2005 8.68% 0.83%
2004 9.08% 0.84%
2003 9.49% 0.85%
2002 9.91% 0.88%
2001 10.3% 0.93%
2000 10.8% 1%
1999 11.2% 1.07%
1998 11.6% 1.15%
1997 12% 1.23%
1996 12.5% 1.29%
1995 12.9% 1.34%
1994 13.4% 1.39%
1993 13.9% 1.45%
1992 14.4% 1.51%
1991 14.9% 1.58%
1990 15.4% 1.66%
1989 15.9% 1.74%
1988 16.4% 1.83%
1987 16.9% 1.93%
1986 17.4% 2.05%
1985 18% 2.18%
1984 18.4% 2.32%
1983 18.9% 2.47%
1982 19.5% 2.65%
1981 20% 2.84%
1980 20.6% 3.04%
1979 21.1% 3.25%
1978 21.7% 3.48%
1977 - 3.71%
1976 - 3.97%
1975 - 4.23%
1974 - 4.5%
1973 - 4.79%
1972 - 5.06%
1971 - 5.32%
1970 - 5.56%
1969 - 5.79%
1968 - 6.02%
1967 - 6.27%
1966 - 6.56%
1965 - 6.89%
1964 - 7.28%
1963 - 7.74%
1962 - 8.25%
1961 - 8.83%
1960 - 9.46%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/malaysia | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.9% in Laos and 0.81% in Malaysia. 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)

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