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Fertility & birth rates in Libya and South Sudan

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has an annual birth rate of 17 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.6 for South Sudan. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 2.36 in Libya and 3.86 in South Sudan — 64.1% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 68.6% in Libya and by 46% in South Sudan — in 1960, it was 7.51 and 7.16, respectively.

  • Libya is ranked 88/196 by birth rate compared to 36/196 for South Sudan.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.9 in Libya — it's 28.4 in South Sudan.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 5.92 in Libya vs 97.1 in South Sudan.
  • In Libya, 26.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.1% in South Sudan.

Fertility rate in Libya vs South Sudan by year

Libya
South Sudan
1x
Year Fertility rate
Libya South Sudan
2023 2.36 3.86
2022 2.4 3.96
2021 2.46 4.05
2020 2.51 4.16
2019 2.54 4.26
2018 2.58 4.37
2017 2.63 4.48
2016 2.67 4.58
2015 2.71 4.7
2014 2.75 4.82
2013 2.72 4.94
2012 2.68 5.06
2011 2.65 5.19
2010 2.6 5.32
2009 2.56 5.45
2008 2.6 5.57
2007 2.65 5.7
2006 2.7 5.85
2005 2.77 6.02
2004 2.77 6.19
2003 2.8 6.35
2002 2.83 6.52
2001 2.87 6.65
2000 2.91 6.8
1999 2.97 6.94
1998 3.04 7.08
1997 3.13 7.2
1996 3.26 7.32
1995 3.44 7.34
1994 3.65 7.35
1993 3.88 7.36
1992 4.16 7.37
1991 4.46 7.38
1990 4.78 7.38
1989 5.09 7.37
1988 5.41 7.38
1987 5.72 7.39
1986 6.02 7.38
1985 6.33 7.36
1984 6.62 7.35
1983 6.91 7.34
1982 7.16 7.34
1981 7.37 7.33
1980 7.54 7.33
1979 7.68 7.32
1978 7.79 7.33
1977 7.87 7.33
1976 7.93 7.33
1975 7.98 7.33
1974 8.02 7.31
1973 8.05 7.31
1972 8.07 7.31
1971 8.1 7.3
1970 8.05 7.29
1969 8.01 7.28
1968 7.97 7.26
1967 7.93 7.26
1966 7.89 7.25
1965 7.82 7.22
1964 7.75 7.22
1963 7.69 7.2
1962 7.61 7.2
1961 7.56 7.18
1960 7.51 7.16

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Libya was 2.36 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.86 in South Sudan in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Libya vs South Sudan population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Libya
South Sudan
1x
Year Natural population change
Libya South Sudan
2023 75,760 217,966
2022 91,951 211,166
2021 88,005 213,567
2020 92,950 212,332
2019 97,842 209,708
2018 101,619 168,497
2017 103,891 72,193
2016 105,265 110,553
2015 108,096 148,542
2014 110,420 227,611
2013 110,772 315,983
2012 108,855 312,974
2011 121,016 303,181
2010 122,926 287,409
2009 118,102 278,859
2008 117,481 268,268
2007 116,704 256,546
2006 115,645 246,706
2005 112,823 239,272
2004 107,144 231,877
2003 102,144 225,822
2002 97,598 212,014
2001 93,370 204,108
2000 89,814 196,055
1999 88,743 180,721
1998 87,613 -12,157
1997 86,899 121,454
1996 86,945 116,728
1995 87,661 110,417
1994 88,765 165,407
1993 90,553 32,779
1992 93,568 28,874
1991 96,582 87,873
1990 99,898 82,900
1989 102,823 83,735
1988 105,469 -125,447
1987 107,761 5,756
1986 109,325 99,502
1985 110,194 95,342
1984 110,028 90,970
1983 122,183 104,107
1982 133,511 118,641
1981 130,233 115,163
1980 128,034 112,307
1979 121,469 109,540
1978 114,669 107,352
1977 107,769 104,886
1976 101,146 102,346
1975 94,862 99,882
1974 89,337 97,181
1973 81,256 94,765
1972 77,864 74,803
1971 74,934 72,308
1970 70,488 44,776
1969 66,782 42,015
1968 63,971 44,213
1967 61,889 41,357
1966 60,394 38,523
1965 59,134 51,682
1964 55,227 64,786
1963 50,421 46,333
1962 46,252 47,406
1961 42,167 45,186
1960 38,391 42,945

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | 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 +1.04% in Libya and +1.9% in South Sudan.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.43% in Libya and +1.65% in South Sudan.

Birth rate in Libya vs South Sudan by year

Libya
South Sudan

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Libya South Sudan
2023 17 28.6
2022 17.5 29.1
2021 18.2 29.7
2020 18.7 29.4
2019 19.2 29.4
2018 19.8 29.1
2017 20.5 32.8
2016 21.3 35.1
2015 21.9 35.4
2014 22.6 38.2
2013 22.5 38.3
2012 22.6 39.1
2011 24.9 39.8
2010 23.5 39.9
2009 23.2 41
2008 23.4 41.6
2007 23.7 42.3
2006 23.9 43.2
2005 23.9 44.3
2004 23.4 45.5
2003 22.9 46.8
2002 22.5 48
2001 22.1 48.9
2000 21.7 49.8
1999 21.7 50.7
1998 21.6 51.2
1997 21.6 51.6
1996 21.8 52.6
1995 22.2 52.7
1994 22.7 52.7
1993 23.4 52.7
1992 24.5 52.5
1991 25.7 52.4
1990 27 52.3
1989 28.4 53.1
1988 29.7 51.9
1987 31.1 50.6
1986 32.4 50.6
1985 33.7 50.7
1984 34.8 50.8
1983 39 51.1
1982 42.3 51.4
1981 42.6 51.7
1980 44.4 52
1979 44.9 52.3
1978 45.2 52.7
1977 45.5 53
1976 45.7 53.4
1975 45.9 53.7
1974 46.3 53.9
1973 45.3 54.3
1972 45.9 54.5
1971 46.5 54.6
1970 46.4 54.5
1969 46.6 54.3
1968 47.3 54
1967 48.3 53.7
1966 49.7 53.5
1965 51.1 53.1
1964 51.1 53
1963 51 52.7
1962 51 52.5
1961 51.2 52.3
1960 51.3 52

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 17 in Libya and 28.6 in South Sudan, compared with 51.3 and 52, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Libya South Sudan
Fertility rate 2.36 3.86
Fertility rate rank 80/196 31/196
Birth rate 17 28.6
Birth rate rank 88/196 36/196
Population change due to births and deaths +75,760 +217,966
Natural population change rank 85/196 58/196
Natural population change rate +1.04% +1.9%
Population growth +1.03% +4.01%
Population growth rank 99/197 7/197
Average age at childbearing 31.9 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 5.69 95.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 83.3 173.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 38 43.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.2% 25.1%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 16.3% 1.59%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.9% 39.7%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.06% 0.69%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.57% 4.02%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 1.59% 7.26%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.08% 9.87%
Life expectancy 75.2 years 58 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Libya
Factual

UN forecast
South Sudan
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Libya South Sudan
2100 14.4% 20.1%
2099 14.4% 20.2%
2098 14.5% 20.3%
2097 14.5% 20.3%
2096 14.6% 20.4%
2095 14.7% 20.5%
2094 14.8% 20.6%
2093 14.9% 20.7%
2092 15% 20.9%
2091 15.1% 21%
2090 15.2% 21.1%
2089 15.3% 21.2%
2088 15.3% 21.3%
2087 15.4% 21.5%
2086 15.5% 21.6%
2085 15.6% 21.8%
2084 15.6% 21.9%
2083 15.7% 22.1%
2082 15.8% 22.3%
2081 15.8% 22.4%
2080 15.9% 22.6%
2079 15.9% 22.8%
2078 15.9% 23%
2077 16% 23.2%
2076 16% 23.3%
2075 16% 23.5%
2074 16.1% 23.7%
2073 16.1% 23.9%
2072 16.2% 24.1%
2071 16.2% 24.3%
2070 16.3% 24.5%
2069 16.4% 24.7%
2068 16.5% 25%
2067 16.6% 25.2%
2066 16.8% 25.4%
2065 16.9% 25.6%
2064 17.1% 25.8%
2063 17.3% 26%
2062 17.4% 26.3%
2061 17.6% 26.5%
2060 17.8% 26.7%
2059 18% 27%
2058 18.3% 27.2%
2057 18.5% 27.5%
2056 18.7% 27.8%
2055 18.9% 28.1%
2054 19.1% 28.5%
2053 19.2% 28.8%
2052 19.4% 29.2%
2051 19.6% 29.5%
2050 19.7% 29.9%
2049 19.8% 30.3%
2048 19.9% 30.8%
2047 20% 31.2%
2046 20.1% 31.6%
2045 20.2% 32%
2044 20.3% 32.4%
2043 20.4% 32.7%
2042 20.5% 33%
2041 20.7% 33.3%
2040 20.8% 33.6%
2039 20.9% 33.8%
2038 21.1% 33.9%
2037 21.4% 34.1%
2036 21.6% 34.2%
2035 22% 34.3%
2034 22.3% 34.4%
2033 22.7% 34.3%
2032 23.2% 34.4%
2031 23.7% 34.6%
2030 24.2% 34.8%
2029 24.8% 35.2%
2028 25.3% 35.8%
2027 25.9% 36.6%
2026 26.5% 37.5%
2025 27.2% 38.4%
2024 27.4% 38.9%
2023 28% 39.9%
2022 28.5% 40.9%
2021 29% 41.6%
2020 29.5% 42.4%
2019 29.9% 43.6%
2018 30.3% 44.9%
2017 30.6% 45%
2016 30.9% 43.7%
2015 31% 43.1%
2014 31.1% 42.5%
2013 31.3% 41.9%
2012 31.5% 41.9%
2011 30.7% 42.2%
2010 29.9% 42.8%
2009 30.1% 43.4%
2008 30.3% 43.8%
2007 30.6% 44.3%
2006 30.9% 44.8%
2005 31.1% 45.3%
2004 31.2% 45.8%
2003 31.3% 45.9%
2002 31.5% 45.7%
2001 31.7% 45.5%
2000 32% 45.5%
1999 32.5% 45.6%
1998 33.3% 45.8%
1997 34.2% 46%
1996 35.2% 46%
1995 36.3% 45.8%
1994 37.4% 45.8%
1993 38.6% 45.7%
1992 39.7% 45.6%
1991 40.7% 45.5%
1990 41.7% 45.4%
1989 42.6% 45.4%
1988 43.4% 46.2%
1987 44.1% 46.9%
1986 44.8% 46.7%
1985 45.5% 46.6%
1984 46.1% 46.5%
1983 46.8% 46.3%
1982 47.3% 46.2%
1981 47.5% 46%
1980 47.7% 45.8%
1979 47.9% 45.7%
1978 48% 45.5%
1977 48.2% 45.4%
1976 48.6% 45.3%
1975 48.9% 45.2%
1974 49.3% 45.1%
1973 50.2% 45%
1972 50.9% 44.8%
1971 50.9% 44.7%
1970 50.9% 44.5%
1969 50.7% 44.3%
1968 50.3% 44%
1967 49.5% 43.8%
1966 48.4% 43.5%
1965 47% 43.3%
1964 46.1% 43%
1963 45.5% 42.8%
1962 44.8% 42.6%
1961 44.2% 42.6%
1960 43.6% 42.5%

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/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 27.4% of the population in Libya and 38.9% in South Sudan in 2024, compared to 41.7% and 45.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Libya and South Sudan compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Libya vs South Sudan

Libya
South Sudan
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Libya South Sudan
2023 59 692
2022 60 704
2021 98 749
2020 71 729
2019 65 745
2018 66 913
2017 69 1,662
2016 74 1,629
2015 76 1,436
2014 77 1,216
2013 75 771
2012 74 755
2011 81 770
2010 71 776
2009 70 823
2008 68 858
2007 67 933
2006 66 1,005
2005 66 1,074
2004 67 1,150
2003 68 1,199
2002 69 1,521
2001 71 1,580
2000 71 1,658
1999 69 2,048
1998 67 7,514
1997 64 4,172
1996 61 4,357
1995 59 4,430
1994 59 1,666
1993 60 7,537
1992 61 7,597
1991 64 4,764
1990 67 4,877
1989 70 5,103
1988 74 5,535
1987 77 8,045
1986 82 3,720
1985 86 3,845

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 59 deaths per 100,000 live births in Libya, compared to 692 deaths in South Sudan.

Under-five mortality rates

Libya
South Sudan

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Libya South Sudan
2023 3.08% 9.87%
2022 1.05% 9.87%
2021 1.08% 9.87%
2020 1.12% 9.87%
2019 1.16% 9.87%
2018 1.19% 13.2%
2017 1.24% 27.8%
2016 1.28% 26.4%
2015 1.33% 23.7%
2014 1.39% 18.2%
2013 1.45% 9.92%
2012 1.51% 10.1%
2011 1.96% 10.5%
2010 1.66% 10.9%
2009 1.76% 11.5%
2008 1.88% 12.1%
2007 2.02% 12.7%
2006 2.17% 13.4%
2005 2.31% 14.1%
2004 2.44% 14.8%
2003 2.55% 15.7%
2002 2.65% 16.5%
2001 2.73% 17.4%
2000 2.81% 18.3%
1999 2.9% 19.2%
1998 2.99% 42.6%
1997 3.09% 25.2%
1996 3.2% 26.1%
1995 3.32% 27%
1994 3.46% 23%
1993 3.61% 33.1%
1992 3.78% 33.8%
1991 3.98% 29.7%
1990 4.19% 30.3%
1989 4.42% 30.7%
1988 4.67% 76.7%
1987 4.94% 36%
1986 5.21% 26.7%
1985 5.5% 27.1%
1984 5.79% 27.5%
1983 6.1% 27.8%
1982 6.42% 28.2%
1981 6.76% 28.5%
1980 7.11% 28.9%
1979 7.5% 29.2%
1978 7.92% 29.5%
1977 8.39% 29.9%
1976 8.91% 30.2%
1975 9.5% 30.6%
1974 10.2% 30.9%
1973 10.9% 31.3%
1972 11.7% 31.6%
1971 12.6% 31.9%
1970 13.6% 32.3%
1969 14.7% 32.6%
1968 15.8% 32.9%
1967 17% 33.3%
1966 18.3% 33.6%
1965 19.7% 34%
1964 21.2% 34.3%
1963 22.7% 34.6%
1962 24.3% 34.9%
1961 26% 35.2%
1960 27.7% 35.5%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/libya/south-sudan | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.08% in Libya and 9.87% in South Sudan. 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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