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Fertility & birth rates in Laos and Papua New Guinea

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has an annual birth rate of 21.3 births per 1,000 people, compared to 24.6 for Papua New Guinea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.42 in Laos and 3.1 in Papua New Guinea — 28% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 61.5% in Laos and by 48.5% in Papua New Guinea — in 1960, it was 6.29 and 6.02, respectively.

  • Laos is ranked 65/196 by birth rate compared to 55/196 for Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 26.1 in Laos — it's 29.2 in Papua New Guinea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 81.7 in Laos vs 54.1 in Papua New Guinea.
  • In Laos, 27% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in Papua New Guinea.

Fertility rate in Laos vs Papua New Guinea by year

Laos
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Laos Papua New Guinea
2023 2.42 3.1
2022 2.46 3.17
2021 2.49 3.22
2020 2.54 3.27
2019 2.59 3.32
2018 2.63 3.38
2017 2.69 3.43
2016 2.74 3.5
2015 2.8 3.56
2014 2.8 3.63
2013 2.87 3.68
2012 2.95 3.75
2011 3.05 3.82
2010 3.14 3.88
2009 3.23 3.94
2008 3.33 4.01
2007 3.44 4.08
2006 3.56 4.15
2005 3.69 4.22
2004 3.9 4.28
2003 4.02 4.36
2002 4.13 4.42
2001 4.29 4.47
2000 4.43 4.53
1999 4.64 4.59
1998 4.79 4.63
1997 4.96 4.68
1996 5.15 4.73
1995 5.36 4.78
1994 5.6 4.87
1993 5.8 4.96
1992 5.9 5.03
1991 5.99 5.11
1990 6.06 5.18
1989 6.1 5.24
1988 6.16 5.3
1987 6.21 5.36
1986 6.26 5.42
1985 6.33 5.47
1984 6.37 5.51
1983 6.38 5.56
1982 6.37 5.59
1981 6.35 5.65
1980 6.33 5.71
1979 6.31 5.79
1978 6.3 5.88
1977 6.29 5.96
1976 6.29 6.02
1975 6.29 6.07
1974 6.29 6.11
1973 6.28 6.16
1972 6.28 6.2
1971 6.3 6.23
1970 6.31 6.25
1969 6.3 6.26
1968 6.3 6.25
1967 6.31 6.24
1966 6.31 6.23
1965 6.32 6.2
1964 6.31 6.19
1963 6.32 6.15
1962 6.31 6.14
1961 6.31 6.07
1960 6.29 6.02

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | 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 3.1 in Papua New Guinea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Laos vs Papua New Guinea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Laos
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Natural population change
Laos Papua New Guinea
2023 115,359 187,637
2022 116,620 186,861
2021 115,323 183,766
2020 118,609 189,130
2019 119,797 190,662
2018 119,986 190,662
2017 120,515 189,715
2016 119,978 189,281
2015 118,723 188,600
2014 118,103 187,592
2013 119,845 185,790
2012 121,324 183,658
2011 122,863 181,842
2010 122,516 178,998
2009 122,174 175,421
2008 121,042 172,823
2007 119,980 169,306
2006 118,602 166,540
2005 118,165 163,888
2004 121,888 161,023
2003 122,158 158,611
2002 122,110 155,091
2001 123,847 151,431
2000 124,201 147,496
1999 127,255 143,592
1998 128,409 136,677
1997 130,388 134,458
1996 131,142 129,802
1995 132,241 125,410
1994 134,201 122,113
1993 135,295 118,668
1992 132,417 114,818
1991 129,523 111,453
1990 125,297 110,033
1989 121,044 108,199
1988 117,050 106,256
1987 113,005 104,367
1986 109,266 102,346
1985 106,047 100,333
1984 102,318 98,103
1983 98,178 95,982
1982 94,058 93,522
1981 89,963 91,767
1980 86,548 90,266
1979 82,852 89,330
1978 80,604 88,747
1977 79,149 87,954
1976 77,575 86,965
1975 76,725 85,809
1974 74,652 84,829
1973 70,513 83,821
1972 68,095 82,672
1971 65,959 80,599
1970 63,896 78,712
1969 61,595 76,454
1968 59,567 73,983
1967 57,763 71,519
1966 55,494 69,206
1965 54,268 66,693
1964 52,482 64,558
1963 51,056 62,260
1962 51,244 59,974
1961 48,992 58,151
1960 47,575 56,326

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | 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 +1.81% in Papua New Guinea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.65% in Laos and +2% in Papua New Guinea.

Birth rate in Laos vs Papua New Guinea by year

Laos
Papua New Guinea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Laos Papua New Guinea
2023 21.3 24.6
2022 21.7 25.2
2021 22.1 25.6
2020 22.6 26.1
2019 23.2 26.5
2018 23.6 27
2017 24.1 27.4
2016 24.6 27.9
2015 25 28.4
2014 25 28.9
2013 25.6 29.4
2012 26.2 29.8
2011 26.8 30.3
2010 27.2 30.7
2009 27.6 31.1
2008 27.9 31.5
2007 28.1 31.9
2006 28.4 32.4
2005 28.8 32.8
2004 30.1 33.2
2003 30.7 33.7
2002 31.2 34
2001 32.1 34.2
2000 32.9 34.4
1999 34.2 34.7
1998 35.1 34.8
1997 36.2 34.8
1996 37.2 34.9
1995 38.5 35
1994 40 35.3
1993 41.2 35.6
1992 41.7 35.8
1991 42.2 36.1
1990 42.5 36.7
1989 42.6 37.1
1988 42.8 37.3
1987 43 37.4
1986 43.1 37.5
1985 43.5 37.7
1984 43.6 37.7
1983 43.5 37.8
1982 43.4 37.7
1981 43.3 37.9
1980 43.4 38.1
1979 43.5 38.7
1978 43.8 39.3
1977 44.1 39.9
1976 44.3 40.5
1975 44.4 41.1
1974 44.4 41.8
1973 44.3 42.6
1972 44.3 43.3
1971 44.3 43.7
1970 44.3 44
1969 44.2 44.2
1968 44.2 44.4
1967 44.2 44.5
1966 44.2 44.6
1965 44.3 44.6
1964 44.3 44.7
1963 44.5 44.7
1962 44.6 44.9
1961 44.8 44.9
1960 44.9 45.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 21.3 in Laos and 24.6 in Papua New Guinea, compared with 44.9 and 45.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Laos Papua New Guinea
Fertility rate 2.42 3.1
Fertility rate rank 78/196 55/196
Birth rate 21.3 24.6
Birth rate rank 65/196 55/196
Population change due to births and deaths +115,359 +187,637
Natural population change rank 75/196 63/196
Natural population change rate +1.51% +1.81%
Population growth +1.37% +1.8%
Population growth rank 77/197 59/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 21.9 years
Average age at childbearing 26.1 years 29.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 81.7 52.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 131.8 144.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 21.5 46.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 27% 25.9%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 51% 30.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 64.4% 56.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.11% 0.19%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2% 2.05%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.52% 3.2%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.9% 4.03%
Life expectancy 69.7 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Laos
Factual

UN forecast
Papua New Guinea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Laos Papua New Guinea
2100 14.8% 19%
2099 14.9% 19.1%
2098 14.9% 19.2%
2097 15% 19.3%
2096 15.1% 19.4%
2095 15.1% 19.5%
2094 15.2% 19.6%
2093 15.3% 19.7%
2092 15.4% 19.8%
2091 15.4% 19.9%
2090 15.5% 20%
2089 15.6% 20.1%
2088 15.7% 20.2%
2087 15.8% 20.4%
2086 15.9% 20.5%
2085 16% 20.6%
2084 16.1% 20.7%
2083 16.1% 20.8%
2082 16.2% 20.9%
2081 16.3% 21%
2080 16.4% 21.2%
2079 16.5% 21.3%
2078 16.6% 21.4%
2077 16.8% 21.5%
2076 16.9% 21.7%
2075 17% 21.8%
2074 17.1% 21.9%
2073 17.2% 22.1%
2072 17.3% 22.2%
2071 17.5% 22.4%
2070 17.6% 22.5%
2069 17.7% 22.7%
2068 17.9% 22.8%
2067 18.1% 23%
2066 18.2% 23.2%
2065 18.4% 23.3%
2064 18.5% 23.5%
2063 18.7% 23.7%
2062 18.9% 23.9%
2061 19.1% 24.1%
2060 19.3% 24.3%
2059 19.5% 24.5%
2058 19.7% 24.6%
2057 19.9% 24.8%
2056 20.1% 25%
2055 20.4% 25.2%
2054 20.6% 25.4%
2053 20.8% 25.6%
2052 21% 25.8%
2051 21.3% 26%
2050 21.5% 26.2%
2049 21.8% 26.4%
2048 22% 26.6%
2047 22.3% 26.8%
2046 22.5% 27%
2045 22.8% 27.2%
2044 23.1% 27.4%
2043 23.3% 27.6%
2042 23.6% 27.9%
2041 24% 28.1%
2040 24.3% 28.4%
2039 24.6% 28.7%
2038 24.9% 28.9%
2037 25.3% 29.2%
2036 25.7% 29.6%
2035 26% 29.9%
2034 26.4% 30.2%
2033 26.9% 30.6%
2032 27.3% 30.9%
2031 27.7% 31.2%
2030 28.2% 31.6%
2029 28.6% 31.9%
2028 28.9% 32.3%
2027 29.3% 32.6%
2026 29.7% 33%
2025 30% 33.3%
2024 30.2% 33.5%
2023 30.6% 33.8%
2022 30.9% 34.1%
2021 31.3% 34.4%
2020 31.6% 34.7%
2019 31.9% 35%
2018 32.2% 35.3%
2017 32.5% 35.6%
2016 32.9% 35.9%
2015 33.2% 36.2%
2014 33.7% 36.5%
2013 34.3% 36.7%
2012 34.9% 37%
2011 35.6% 37.2%
2010 36.3% 37.5%
2009 37.1% 37.7%
2008 38% 38%
2007 39% 38.3%
2006 40% 38.5%
2005 40.9% 38.8%
2004 41.5% 39%
2003 42% 39.3%
2002 42.5% 39.5%
2001 42.9% 39.8%
2000 43.2% 40%
1999 43.5% 40.2%
1998 43.7% 40.4%
1997 43.8% 40.6%
1996 43.9% 40.8%
1995 43.9% 41%
1994 44% 41.2%
1993 43.9% 41.5%
1992 43.9% 41.7%
1991 43.9% 41.9%
1990 43.9% 42.1%
1989 43.9% 42.3%
1988 43.9% 42.4%
1987 44% 42.4%
1986 44% 42.5%
1985 44% 42.6%
1984 44.1% 42.8%
1983 44.1% 42.9%
1982 44.1% 43%
1981 44% 43.2%
1980 43.9% 43.5%
1979 43.8% 44%
1978 43.5% 44.4%
1977 43.2% 44.9%
1976 43% 45.2%
1975 42.7% 45.5%
1974 42.5% 45.8%
1973 42.4% 45.9%
1972 42.4% 46%
1971 42.3% 46%
1970 42.2% 45.8%
1969 42.2% 45.6%
1968 42.2% 45.3%
1967 42.2% 45.1%
1966 42.2% 44.9%
1965 42.2% 44.6%
1964 42.1% 44.4%
1963 42% 44.2%
1962 41.9% 43.9%
1961 41.8% 43.7%
1960 41.8% 43.4%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 30.2% of the population in Laos and 33.5% in Papua New Guinea in 2024, compared to 43.9% and 42.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Laos and Papua New Guinea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Laos vs Papua New Guinea

Laos
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Laos Papua New Guinea
2023 112 189
2022 120 189
2021 139 223
2020 132 194
2019 137 199
2018 145 205
2017 154 207
2016 165 214
2015 180 221
2014 193 232
2013 215 243
2012 241 257
2011 267 271
2010 305 289
2009 336 302
2008 374 315
2007 402 326
2006 432 325
2005 458 326
2004 492 326
2003 524 328
2002 550 329
2001 574 325
2000 609 323
1999 638 321
1998 647 325
1997 660 316
1996 682 316
1995 709 318
1994 741 324
1993 751 333
1992 781 340
1991 798 354
1990 834 360
1989 856 369
1988 898 377
1987 930 379
1986 963 386
1985 994 393

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | 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 189 deaths in Papua New Guinea.

Under-five mortality rates

Laos
Papua New Guinea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Laos Papua New Guinea
2023 3.9% 4.03%
2022 4.04% 4.17%
2021 4.19% 4.31%
2020 4.34% 4.45%
2019 4.51% 4.59%
2018 4.68% 4.72%
2017 4.88% 4.87%
2016 5.09% 5.02%
2015 5.32% 5.17%
2014 5.58% 5.3%
2013 5.86% 5.44%
2012 6.15% 5.59%
2011 6.47% 5.73%
2010 6.8% 5.88%
2009 7.14% 6.02%
2008 7.5% 6.16%
2007 7.88% 6.31%
2006 8.27% 6.44%
2005 8.68% 6.58%
2004 9.08% 6.71%
2003 9.49% 6.84%
2002 9.91% 6.96%
2001 10.3% 7.08%
2000 10.8% 7.19%
1999 11.2% 7.3%
1998 11.6% 7.41%
1997 12% 7.52%
1996 12.5% 7.64%
1995 12.9% 7.77%
1994 13.4% 7.89%
1993 13.9% 8.03%
1992 14.4% 8.17%
1991 14.9% 8.31%
1990 15.4% 8.47%
1989 15.9% 8.63%
1988 16.4% 8.78%
1987 16.9% 8.96%
1986 17.4% 9.12%
1985 18% 9.3%
1984 18.4% 9.5%
1983 18.9% 9.71%
1982 19.5% 9.94%
1981 20% 10.2%
1980 20.6% 10.4%
1979 21.1% 10.7%
1978 21.7% 11%
1977 - 11.3%
1976 - 11.7%
1975 - 12.1%
1974 - 12.4%
1973 - 12.9%
1972 - 13.3%
1971 - 13.7%
1970 - 14.2%
1969 - 14.7%
1968 - 15.2%
1967 - 15.8%
1966 - 16.3%
1965 - 16.9%
1964 - 17.4%
1963 - 18%
1962 - 18.6%
1961 - 19.2%
1960 - 19.8%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.9% in Laos and 4.03% in Papua New Guinea. 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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