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Fertility & birth rates in Malawi and Mozambique

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has an annual birth rate of 31.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 37.5 for Mozambique. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.65 in Malawi and 4.76 in Mozambique — 30.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 48.2% in Malawi and by 24.5% in Mozambique — in 1960, it was 7.04 and 6.31, respectively.

  • Malawi is ranked 25/196 by birth rate compared to 8/196 for Mozambique.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.1 years in Malawi, compared to 19.2 years in Mozambique.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.5 in Malawi — it's 28.3 in Mozambique.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 113.6 in Malawi vs 153.5 in Mozambique.
  • In Malawi, 26.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.2% in Mozambique.

Fertility rate in Malawi vs Mozambique by year

Malawi
Mozambique
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Mozambique
2023 3.65 4.76
2022 3.72 4.84
2021 3.79 4.91
2020 3.88 4.96
2019 3.95 5.02
2018 4.02 5.07
2017 4.11 5.13
2016 4.22 5.19
2015 4.38 5.25
2014 4.57 5.3
2013 4.76 5.43
2012 4.9 5.52
2011 5.08 5.6
2010 5.26 5.66
2009 5.45 5.68
2008 5.61 5.6
2007 5.72 5.47
2006 5.8 5.45
2005 5.85 5.5
2004 5.86 5.55
2003 5.88 5.6
2002 5.9 5.67
2001 5.94 5.76
2000 6 5.83
1999 6.12 5.88
1998 6.21 5.91
1997 6.23 5.93
1996 6.29 5.97
1995 6.39 6.02
1994 6.49 6.08
1993 6.57 6.15
1992 6.63 6.22
1991 6.68 6.28
1990 6.74 6.32
1989 6.8 6.35
1988 6.88 6.37
1987 6.97 6.39
1986 7.07 6.41
1985 7.17 6.43
1984 7.27 6.44
1983 7.36 6.43
1982 7.45 6.43
1981 7.49 6.48
1980 7.52 6.53
1979 7.47 6.56
1978 7.43 6.59
1977 7.41 6.62
1976 7.39 6.64
1975 7.36 6.66
1974 7.34 6.67
1973 7.34 6.7
1972 7.33 6.7
1971 7.31 6.7
1970 7.3 6.7
1969 7.27 6.67
1968 7.26 6.65
1967 7.21 6.61
1966 7.17 6.58
1965 7.13 6.54
1964 7.11 6.51
1963 7.13 6.47
1962 7.1 6.42
1961 7.07 6.37
1960 7.04 6.31

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Malawi was 3.65 children per woman in 2023, compared to 4.76 in Mozambique in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Malawi vs Mozambique population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Malawi
Mozambique
1x
Year Natural population change
Malawi Mozambique
2023 549,096 1,025,334
2022 533,450 1,003,689
2021 517,400 951,234
2020 514,659 945,952
2019 506,104 927,581
2018 494,348 903,176
2017 484,655 876,594
2016 474,779 850,430
2015 472,484 824,435
2014 472,418 799,778
2013 470,293 784,641
2012 460,684 763,088
2011 454,149 741,303
2010 444,468 719,025
2009 434,811 693,673
2008 421,781 654,920
2007 410,290 610,913
2006 397,123 586,009
2005 381,130 570,132
2004 361,133 554,973
2003 341,133 540,992
2002 322,863 529,867
2001 310,833 519,594
2000 300,439 506,162
1999 295,629 491,814
1998 285,407 474,453
1997 277,433 461,209
1996 270,048 442,559
1995 266,745 421,630
1994 275,439 384,821
1993 276,538 369,518
1992 269,066 362,373
1991 260,193 357,676
1990 250,159 353,290
1989 237,967 348,833
1988 226,911 349,480
1987 220,566 334,438
1986 218,519 332,609
1985 216,179 307,625
1984 212,146 304,524
1983 209,422 324,158
1982 205,386 321,493
1981 199,436 322,207
1980 192,746 349,586
1979 182,123 331,162
1978 172,503 310,403
1977 161,930 289,193
1976 153,422 273,924
1975 145,254 257,984
1974 137,819 240,665
1973 131,529 226,847
1972 125,728 215,793
1971 121,015 211,137
1970 116,822 207,385
1969 113,120 202,174
1968 110,329 197,623
1967 106,668 193,044
1966 103,512 189,218
1965 100,040 185,931
1964 97,658 182,334
1963 95,933 180,867
1962 92,463 176,297
1961 89,091 171,236
1960 85,718 165,774

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | 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 +2.6% in Malawi and +3.05% in Mozambique.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.67% in Malawi and +3.08% in Mozambique.

Birth rate in Malawi vs Mozambique by year

Malawi
Mozambique

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Malawi Mozambique
2023 31.4 37.5
2022 31.7 38
2021 32.1 38.4
2020 32.5 38.7
2019 32.9 39.1
2018 33.2 39.4
2017 33.7 39.8
2016 34.2 40.1
2015 35.3 40.4
2014 36.5 40.8
2013 37.7 41.6
2012 38.6 42
2011 39.7 42.5
2010 40.7 42.8
2009 41.7 42.9
2008 42.6 42.3
2007 43.3 41.3
2006 43.8 41.1
2005 44 41.4
2004 44 41.6
2003 43.9 42
2002 44 42.5
2001 44.2 43.1
2000 44.6 43.6
1999 45.4 43.9
1998 45.9 44
1997 46 44.3
1996 46.2 44.4
1995 46.8 44.4
1994 48.4 43.6
1993 48.4 45.1
1992 48.1 46.2
1991 48.4 46.8
1990 48.4 47.4
1989 48.5 48
1988 48.8 48.6
1987 48.6 49.4
1986 49.8 49.3
1985 50.4 49.7
1984 50.8 50.1
1983 51.4 50.5
1982 52 51
1981 52.4 51.9
1980 52.7 53
1979 52.4 51.9
1978 52.4 50.8
1977 52.4 49.8
1976 52.6 49.2
1975 52.7 48.4
1974 52.9 47.8
1973 53.2 47.3
1972 53.5 47
1971 53.7 47.2
1970 54 47.5
1969 54.1 47.6
1968 54.4 47.8
1967 54.3 47.9
1966 54.3 48
1965 54.1 48.2
1964 54.2 48.4
1963 54.4 48.5
1962 54.2 48.5
1961 54 48.4
1960 53.7 48.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 31.4 in Malawi and 37.5 in Mozambique, compared with 53.7 and 48.3, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Malawi Mozambique
Fertility rate 3.65 4.76
Fertility rate rank 39/196 10/196
Birth rate 31.4 37.5
Birth rate rank 25/196 8/196
Population change due to births and deaths +549,096 +1,025,334
Natural population change rank 35/196 19/196
Natural population change rate +2.6% +3.05%
Population growth +2.61% +2.96%
Population growth rank 26/197 16/197
Age at first childbirth 19.1 years 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 27.5 years 28.3 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 112.7 152.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 171.5 199.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 50.4 67.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.2% 24.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 64.7% 25.4%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96.4% 73%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.23% 0.1%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.88% 2.54%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.94% 4.54%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.83% 6.17%
Life expectancy 67.9 years 64.1 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Malawi
Factual

UN forecast
Mozambique
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Malawi Mozambique
2100 19.9% 21.4%
2099 20% 21.5%
2098 20.2% 21.7%
2097 20.3% 21.8%
2096 20.4% 22%
2095 20.6% 22.1%
2094 20.7% 22.3%
2093 20.9% 22.5%
2092 21% 22.6%
2091 21.2% 22.8%
2090 21.3% 23%
2089 21.5% 23.2%
2088 21.6% 23.4%
2087 21.8% 23.6%
2086 22% 23.8%
2085 22.1% 24%
2084 22.3% 24.2%
2083 22.5% 24.4%
2082 22.7% 24.6%
2081 22.9% 24.9%
2080 23.1% 25.1%
2079 23.2% 25.3%
2078 23.4% 25.6%
2077 23.6% 25.8%
2076 23.8% 26.1%
2075 24.1% 26.4%
2074 24.3% 26.6%
2073 24.5% 26.9%
2072 24.7% 27.2%
2071 24.9% 27.4%
2070 25.2% 27.7%
2069 25.4% 28%
2068 25.6% 28.3%
2067 25.9% 28.6%
2066 26.1% 28.9%
2065 26.3% 29.2%
2064 26.6% 29.5%
2063 26.8% 29.9%
2062 27.1% 30.2%
2061 27.3% 30.5%
2060 27.6% 30.8%
2059 27.9% 31.2%
2058 28.1% 31.5%
2057 28.4% 31.9%
2056 28.7% 32.3%
2055 29% 32.6%
2054 29.3% 33%
2053 29.6% 33.4%
2052 29.9% 33.8%
2051 30.3% 34.2%
2050 30.6% 34.6%
2049 31% 35%
2048 31.4% 35.4%
2047 31.7% 35.8%
2046 32.1% 36.2%
2045 32.5% 36.7%
2044 32.9% 37.1%
2043 33.3% 37.5%
2042 33.7% 38%
2041 34% 38.4%
2040 34.4% 38.8%
2039 34.8% 39.2%
2038 35.1% 39.7%
2037 35.5% 40.1%
2036 35.9% 40.5%
2035 36.2% 40.9%
2034 36.5% 41.3%
2033 36.9% 41.7%
2032 37.2% 42%
2031 37.5% 42.4%
2030 37.9% 42.7%
2029 38.3% 43%
2028 38.8% 43.4%
2027 39.3% 43.7%
2026 39.9% 44%
2025 40.4% 44.3%
2024 40.7% 44.5%
2023 41.3% 44.8%
2022 41.9% 45%
2021 42.5% 45.1%
2020 43.1% 45.2%
2019 43.7% 45.3%
2018 44.2% 45.4%
2017 44.6% 45.5%
2016 45.1% 45.6%
2015 45.4% 45.7%
2014 45.7% 45.8%
2013 46% 45.8%
2012 46.1% 45.9%
2011 46.2% 45.8%
2010 46.2% 45.8%
2009 46.2% 45.6%
2008 46.1% 45.5%
2007 46.1% 45.4%
2006 46.1% 45.4%
2005 46% 45.3%
2004 46% 45.3%
2003 46.1% 45.3%
2002 46.1% 45.2%
2001 46.1% 45.1%
2000 46.2% 45.1%
1999 46.2% 45%
1998 46.2% 44.9%
1997 46.2% 44.8%
1996 46.2% 44.9%
1995 46.1% 45%
1994 46.1% 45.2%
1993 46% 45.4%
1992 45.8% 45.5%
1991 45.6% 45.6%
1990 45.4% 45.7%
1989 45.2% 45.7%
1988 45% 45.8%
1987 45.1% 45.9%
1986 45.4% 45.9%
1985 45.4% 45.9%
1984 45.5% 45.9%
1983 45.5% 45.8%
1982 45.4% 45.7%
1981 45.4% 45.6%
1980 45.4% 45.3%
1979 45.3% 44.9%
1978 45.3% 44.6%
1977 45.3% 44.3%
1976 45.2% 44.1%
1975 45.2% 44%
1974 45.1% 43.8%
1973 44.9% 43.7%
1972 44.8% 43.6%
1971 44.6% 43.4%
1970 44.4% 43.3%
1969 44.2% 43.1%
1968 43.9% 42.9%
1967 43.7% 42.7%
1966 43.4% 42.5%
1965 43.2% 42.2%
1964 43% 41.9%
1963 42.9% 41.6%
1962 42.8% 41.4%
1961 42.9% 41.2%
1960 43.1% 41%

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/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.7% of the population in Malawi and 44.5% in Mozambique in 2024, compared to 45.4% and 45.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Malawi and Mozambique compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Malawi vs Mozambique

Malawi
Mozambique
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Malawi Mozambique
2023 225 99
2022 239 104
2021 286 180
2020 256 123
2019 260 134
2018 267 159
2017 284 187
2016 312 202
2015 354 216
2014 367 210
2013 410 196
2012 447 218
2011 486 268
2010 517 305
2009 512 352
2008 430 365
2007 333 327
2006 286 298
2005 283 301
2004 304 321
2003 346 360
2002 404 398
2001 447 473
2000 506 547
1999 576 624
1998 658 694
1997 672 738
1996 713 819
1995 782 883
1994 912 902
1993 1,000 968
1992 1,042 1,046
1991 1,080 1,094
1990 1,112 1,150
1989 1,136 1,209
1988 1,154 1,259
1987 1,123 1,348
1986 1,118 1,355
1985 1,115 1,452

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 225 deaths per 100,000 live births in Malawi, compared to 99 deaths in Mozambique.

Under-five mortality rates

Malawi
Mozambique

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Malawi Mozambique
2023 3.83% 6.17%
2022 3.99% 6.43%
2021 4.15% 6.58%
2020 4.31% 6.73%
2019 4.55% 6.83%
2018 4.75% 6.95%
2017 5.06% 7.09%
2016 5.35% 7.23%
2015 5.67% 7.51%
2014 6.02% 7.92%
2013 6.4% 8.26%
2012 6.98% 8.63%
2011 7.67% 9.05%
2010 8.3% 9.5%
2009 8.81% 9.75%
2008 9.31% 10.4%
2007 9.83% 11%
2006 10.3% 11.8%
2005 11% 12.5%
2004 11.9% 13.2%
2003 13.2% 13.9%
2002 14.6% 14.6%
2001 16% 15.4%
2000 17.3% 16.3%
1999 18.4% 17.2%
1998 19.2% 18.2%
1997 19.7% 19.2%
1996 20.2% 20.1%
1995 20.7% 20.9%
1994 21.3% 21.6%
1993 22% 22.1%
1992 22.8% 22.6%
1991 23.6% 23%
1990 24.3% 23.3%
1989 24.9% 23.6%
1988 25.3% 23.9%
1987 25.5% 24.2%
1986 25.4% 24.5%
1985 25.1% 24.8%
1984 24.8% 25.1%
1983 24.5% 25.3%
1982 24.5% 25.5%
1981 24.9% 25.6%
1980 25.6% 25.6%
1979 26.5% 25.7%
1978 27.6% 25.7%
1977 28.7% 25.8%
1976 29.7% 26%
1975 30.6% 26.1%
1974 31.5% 26.3%
1973 32.4% 26.4%
1972 33.2% 26.6%
1971 33.9% 26.7%
1970 34.4% 26.8%
1969 34.7% 26.9%
1968 35% 26.9%
1967 35.1% 26.9%
1966 35.3% 26.8%
1965 35.4% 26.8%
1964 35.5% 26.7%
1963 35.7% 26.5%
1962 35.8% -
1961 35.9% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1961–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/mozambique | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.83% in Malawi and 6.17% in Mozambique. 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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