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Fertility & birth rates in Malawi and Portugal

Updated on by Georank team

Malawi has an annual birth rate of 31.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 8.1 for Portugal. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.65 in Malawi and 1.44 in Portugal — 60.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 48.2% in Malawi and by 54.4% in Portugal — in 1960, it was 7.04 and 3.16, respectively.

  • Malawi is ranked 25/196 by birth rate compared to 175/196 for Portugal.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.1 years in Malawi, compared to 30.2 years in Portugal.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 27.5 in Malawi — it's 32.1 in Portugal.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 113.6 in Malawi vs 6.99 in Portugal.
  • In Malawi, 26.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 20.6% in Portugal.

Fertility rate in Malawi vs Portugal by year

Malawi
Portugal
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malawi Portugal
2023 3.65 1.44
2022 3.72 1.43
2021 3.79 1.35
2020 3.88 1.42
2019 3.95 1.44
2018 4.02 1.42
2017 4.11 1.38
2016 4.22 1.37
2015 4.38 1.31
2014 4.57 1.24
2013 4.76 1.21
2012 4.9 1.28
2011 5.08 1.35
2010 5.26 1.39
2009 5.45 1.34
2008 5.61 1.39
2007 5.72 1.35
2006 5.8 1.37
2005 5.85 1.41
2004 5.86 1.4
2003 5.88 1.44
2002 5.9 1.46
2001 5.94 1.45
2000 6 1.55
1999 6.12 1.5
1998 6.21 1.47
1997 6.23 1.47
1996 6.29 1.44
1995 6.39 1.41
1994 6.49 1.45
1993 6.57 1.52
1992 6.63 1.54
1991 6.68 1.56
1990 6.74 1.56
1989 6.8 1.57
1988 6.88 1.61
1987 6.97 1.62
1986 7.07 1.66
1985 7.17 1.72
1984 7.27 1.9
1983 7.36 1.95
1982 7.45 2.07
1981 7.49 2.13
1980 7.52 2.25
1979 7.47 2.31
1978 7.43 2.45
1977 7.41 2.69
1976 7.39 2.82
1975 7.36 2.75
1974 7.34 2.7
1973 7.34 2.77
1972 7.33 2.86
1971 7.31 3
1970 7.3 3.01
1969 7.27 3.12
1968 7.26 3.12
1967 7.21 3.16
1966 7.17 3.16
1965 7.13 3.15
1964 7.11 3.21
1963 7.13 3.12
1962 7.1 3.23
1961 7.07 3.21
1960 7.04 3.16

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/portugal | 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 1.44 in Portugal in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Malawi
Portugal
1x
Year Natural population change
Malawi Portugal
2023 549,096 -32,792
2022 533,450 -40,694
2021 517,400 -45,592
2020 514,659 -39,129
2019 506,104 -24,687
2018 494,348 -25,709
2017 484,655 -23,691
2016 474,779 -23,749
2015 472,484 -23,823
2014 472,418 -22,882
2013 470,293 -24,052
2012 460,684 -17,875
2011 454,149 -5,279
2010 444,468 -4,230
2009 434,811 -5,284
2008 421,781 0
2007 410,290 -1,055
2006 397,123 3,156
2005 381,130 2,101
2004 361,133 7,339
2003 341,133 4,184
2002 322,863 8,335
2001 310,833 8,290
2000 300,439 15,435
1999 295,629 8,175
1998 285,407 7,112
1997 277,433 8,087
1996 270,048 4,026
1995 266,745 4,011
1994 275,439 9,991
1993 276,538 7,972
1992 269,066 13,933
1991 260,193 12,948
1990 250,159 13,976
1989 237,967 22,011
1988 226,911 24,047
1987 220,566 28,084
1986 218,519 31,102
1985 216,179 33,077
1984 212,146 45,983
1983 209,422 47,798
1982 205,386 58,479
1981 199,436 56,152
1980 192,746 63,481
1979 182,123 67,628
1978 172,503 70,731
1977 161,930 84,156
1976 153,422 85,138
1975 145,254 81,841
1974 137,819 74,412
1973 131,529 76,835
1972 125,728 83,715
1971 121,015 82,980
1970 116,822 87,672
1969 113,120 89,329
1968 110,329 100,737
1967 106,668 106,495
1966 103,512 107,171
1965 100,040 115,182
1964 97,658 120,170
1963 95,933 113,783
1962 92,463 123,217
1961 89,091 117,867
1960 85,718 118,693

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/portugal | 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 -0.31% in Portugal.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.67% in Malawi and -0.29% in Portugal.

Birth rate in Malawi vs Portugal by year

Malawi
Portugal

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Malawi Portugal
2023 31.4 8.1
2022 31.7 8
2021 32.1 7.6
2020 32.5 8.1
2019 32.9 8.4
2018 33.2 8.4
2017 33.7 8.3
2016 34.2 8.4
2015 35.3 8.2
2014 36.5 7.9
2013 37.7 7.9
2012 38.6 8.5
2011 39.7 9.2
2010 40.7 9.6
2009 41.7 9.4
2008 42.6 9.9
2007 43.3 9.7
2006 43.8 10
2005 44 10.4
2004 44 10.4
2003 43.9 10.8
2002 44 11
2001 44.2 10.9
2000 44.6 11.7
1999 45.4 11.4
1998 45.9 11.2
1997 46 11.2
1996 46.2 11
1995 46.8 10.7
1994 48.4 10.9
1993 48.4 11.4
1992 48.1 11.5
1991 48.4 11.7
1990 48.4 11.7
1989 48.5 11.8
1988 48.8 12.2
1987 48.6 12.3
1986 49.8 12.6
1985 50.4 13
1984 50.8 14.3
1983 51.4 14.5
1982 52 15.2
1981 52.4 15.4
1980 52.7 16.2
1979 52.4 16.6
1978 52.4 17.5
1977 52.4 19.1
1976 52.6 20
1975 52.7 19.8
1974 52.9 19.6
1973 53.2 20
1972 53.5 20.2
1971 53.7 21
1970 54 20.8
1969 54.1 21.7
1968 54.4 22.1
1967 54.3 22.8
1966 54.3 23.2
1965 54.1 23.4
1964 54.2 24
1963 54.4 23.5
1962 54.2 24.5
1961 54 24.4
1960 53.7 24.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 31.4 in Malawi and 8.1 in Portugal, compared with 53.7 and 24.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Malawi Portugal
Fertility rate 3.65 1.44
Fertility rate rank 39/196 157/196
Birth rate 31.4 8.1
Birth rate rank 25/196 175/196
Population change due to births and deaths +549,096 -32,792
Natural population change rank 35/196 179/196
Natural population change rate +2.6% -0.31%
Population growth +2.61% +1.1%
Population growth rank 26/197 94/197
Age at first childbirth 19.1 years 30.2 years
Average age at childbearing 27.5 years 32.1 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 112.7 5.74
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 171.5 48.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 50.4 14.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.2% 20.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 64.7% 37.7%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96.4% 98.6%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.23% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 1.88% 0.16%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 2.94% 0.26%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 3.83% 0.32%
Life expectancy 67.9 years 82.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Malawi
Factual

UN forecast
Portugal
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Malawi Portugal
2100 19.9% 13.8%
2099 20% 13.8%
2098 20.2% 13.8%
2097 20.3% 13.8%
2096 20.4% 13.9%
2095 20.6% 13.9%
2094 20.7% 13.9%
2093 20.9% 14%
2092 21% 14%
2091 21.2% 14%
2090 21.3% 14.1%
2089 21.5% 14.1%
2088 21.6% 14.1%
2087 21.8% 14.1%
2086 22% 14.2%
2085 22.1% 14.2%
2084 22.3% 14.2%
2083 22.5% 14.2%
2082 22.7% 14.2%
2081 22.9% 14.2%
2080 23.1% 14.2%
2079 23.2% 14.2%
2078 23.4% 14.2%
2077 23.6% 14.1%
2076 23.8% 14.1%
2075 24.1% 14.1%
2074 24.3% 14%
2073 24.5% 14%
2072 24.7% 13.9%
2071 24.9% 13.9%
2070 25.2% 13.8%
2069 25.4% 13.8%
2068 25.6% 13.7%
2067 25.9% 13.7%
2066 26.1% 13.6%
2065 26.3% 13.6%
2064 26.6% 13.5%
2063 26.8% 13.5%
2062 27.1% 13.5%
2061 27.3% 13.5%
2060 27.6% 13.5%
2059 27.9% 13.5%
2058 28.1% 13.5%
2057 28.4% 13.5%
2056 28.7% 13.5%
2055 29% 13.5%
2054 29.3% 13.5%
2053 29.6% 13.5%
2052 29.9% 13.5%
2051 30.3% 13.5%
2050 30.6% 13.5%
2049 31% 13.5%
2048 31.4% 13.4%
2047 31.7% 13.4%
2046 32.1% 13.4%
2045 32.5% 13.3%
2044 32.9% 13.3%
2043 33.3% 13.2%
2042 33.7% 13.1%
2041 34% 13.1%
2040 34.4% 13%
2039 34.8% 13%
2038 35.1% 13%
2037 35.5% 12.9%
2036 35.9% 12.8%
2035 36.2% 12.8%
2034 36.5% 12.7%
2033 36.9% 12.7%
2032 37.2% 12.7%
2031 37.5% 12.7%
2030 37.9% 12.7%
2029 38.3% 12.6%
2028 38.8% 12.6%
2027 39.3% 12.6%
2026 39.9% 12.7%
2025 40.4% 12.8%
2024 40.7% 12.8%
2023 41.3% 12.9%
2022 41.9% 13%
2021 42.5% 13.1%
2020 43.1% 13.3%
2019 43.7% 13.5%
2018 44.2% 13.7%
2017 44.6% 13.9%
2016 45.1% 14.1%
2015 45.4% 14.3%
2014 45.7% 14.6%
2013 46% 14.8%
2012 46.1% 14.9%
2011 46.2% 15%
2010 46.2% 15.2%
2009 46.2% 15.4%
2008 46.1% 15.5%
2007 46.1% 15.6%
2006 46.1% 15.8%
2005 46% 15.9%
2004 46% 16%
2003 46.1% 16.1%
2002 46.1% 16.1%
2001 46.1% 16.2%
2000 46.2% 16.4%
1999 46.2% 16.6%
1998 46.2% 16.8%
1997 46.2% 17.1%
1996 46.2% 17.4%
1995 46.1% 17.8%
1994 46.1% 18.2%
1993 46% 18.6%
1992 45.8% 19.1%
1991 45.6% 19.7%
1990 45.4% 20.5%
1989 45.2% 21.2%
1988 45% 21.9%
1987 45.1% 22.5%
1986 45.4% 23.1%
1985 45.4% 23.7%
1984 45.5% 24.1%
1983 45.5% 24.5%
1982 45.4% 25%
1981 45.4% 25.4%
1980 45.4% 25.9%
1979 45.3% 26.4%
1978 45.3% 26.8%
1977 45.3% 27.1%
1976 45.2% 27.2%
1975 45.2% 27.4%
1974 45.1% 27.7%
1973 44.9% 27.9%
1972 44.8% 28.2%
1971 44.6% 28.4%
1970 44.4% 28.7%
1969 44.2% 29.1%
1968 43.9% 29.2%
1967 43.7% 29.2%
1966 43.4% 29.2%
1965 43.2% 29.1%
1964 43% 29.1%
1963 42.9% 29.1%
1962 42.8% 29.1%
1961 42.9% 29.1%
1960 43.1% 29.3%

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/portugal | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 40.7% of the population in Malawi and 12.8% in Portugal in 2024, compared to 45.4% and 20.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Malawi and Portugal compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Malawi vs Portugal

Malawi
Portugal
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Malawi Portugal
2023 225 15
2022 239 16
2021 286 19
2020 256 14
2019 260 15
2018 267 14
2017 284 13
2016 312 12
2015 354 11
2014 367 11
2013 410 10
2012 447 10
2011 486 10
2010 517 10
2009 512 9
2008 430 9
2007 333 8
2006 286 8
2005 283 8
2004 304 8
2003 346 8
2002 404 9
2001 447 9
2000 506 9
1999 576 10
1998 658 11
1997 672 12
1996 713 12
1995 782 12
1994 912 13
1993 1,000 15
1992 1,042 16
1991 1,080 17
1990 1,112 17
1989 1,136 18
1988 1,154 18
1987 1,123 19
1986 1,118 19
1985 1,115 20

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malawi/portugal | 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 15 deaths in Portugal.

Under-five mortality rates

Malawi
Portugal

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Malawi Portugal
2023 3.83% 0.32%
2022 3.99% 0.32%
2021 4.15% 0.33%
2020 4.31% 0.34%
2019 4.55% 0.35%
2018 4.75% 0.35%
2017 5.06% 0.36%
2016 5.35% 0.36%
2015 5.67% 0.36%
2014 6.02% 0.36%
2013 6.4% 0.36%
2012 6.98% 0.37%
2011 7.67% 0.37%
2010 8.3% 0.38%
2009 8.81% 0.39%
2008 9.31% 0.4%
2007 9.83% 0.42%
2006 10.3% 0.44%
2005 11% 0.47%
2004 11.9% 0.5%
2003 13.2% 0.55%
2002 14.6% 0.61%
2001 16% 0.66%
2000 17.3% 0.72%
1999 18.4% 0.77%
1998 19.2% 0.82%
1997 19.7% 0.86%
1996 20.2% 0.92%
1995 20.7% 0.98%
1994 21.3% 1.05%
1993 22% 1.14%
1992 22.8% 1.25%
1991 23.6% 1.36%
1990 24.3% 1.47%
1989 24.9% 1.59%
1988 25.3% 1.7%
1987 25.5% 1.82%
1986 25.4% 1.93%
1985 25.1% 2.04%
1984 24.8% 2.16%
1983 24.5% 2.29%
1982 24.5% 2.43%
1981 24.9% 2.58%
1980 25.6% 2.75%
1979 26.5% 2.97%
1978 27.6% 3.24%
1977 28.7% 3.57%
1976 29.7% 3.94%
1975 30.6% 4.35%
1974 31.5% 4.79%
1973 32.4% 5.27%
1972 33.2% 5.78%
1971 33.9% 6.3%
1970 34.4% 6.81%
1969 34.7% 7.22%
1968 35% 7.51%
1967 35.1% 7.76%
1966 35.3% 8.09%
1965 35.4% 8.53%
1964 35.5% 9.1%
1963 35.7% 9.76%
1962 35.8% 10.4%
1961 35.9% 11%
1960 - 11.4%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 3.83% in Malawi and 0.32% in Portugal. 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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