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Fertility & birth rates in Malaysia and Sao Tome and Principe

Updated on by Georank team

Malaysia has an annual birth rate of 12.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.2 for Sao Tome and Principe. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.55 in Malaysia and 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe — 135.1% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 75.8% in Malaysia and by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe — in 1960, it was 6.41 and 6.24, respectively.

  • Malaysia is ranked 112/196 by birth rate compared to 39/196 for Sao Tome and Principe.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31 in Malaysia — it's 28.4 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 5.96 in Malaysia vs 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
  • In Malaysia, 26.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Fertility rate in Malaysia vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Malaysia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Fertility rate
Malaysia Sao Tome
2023 1.55 3.64
2022 1.55 3.7
2021 1.56 3.76
2020 1.68 3.83
2019 1.78 3.9
2018 1.84 3.98
2017 1.89 4.07
2016 1.94 4.2
2015 2.01 4.35
2014 2.06 4.49
2013 2.07 4.58
2012 2.12 4.66
2011 2.15 4.72
2010 2.14 4.77
2009 2.22 4.84
2008 2.26 4.91
2007 2.25 4.96
2006 2.31 4.93
2005 2.39 4.94
2004 2.49 4.96
2003 2.6 5.01
2002 2.66 5.06
2001 2.81 5.1
2000 2.94 5.16
1999 3.07 5.23
1998 3.12 5.3
1997 3.23 5.4
1996 3.3 5.47
1995 3.32 5.55
1994 3.35 5.56
1993 3.36 5.64
1992 3.37 5.7
1991 3.34 5.77
1990 3.3 5.83
1989 3.31 5.88
1988 3.5 5.94
1987 3.57 5.99
1986 3.7 6.05
1985 3.8 6.1
1984 3.89 6.16
1983 3.93 6.22
1982 3.97 6.28
1981 4 6.33
1980 4.04 6.39
1979 4.09 6.43
1978 4.18 6.47
1977 4.28 6.5
1976 4.4 6.52
1975 4.5 6.53
1974 4.62 6.53
1973 4.73 6.53
1972 4.82 6.51
1971 4.92 6.49
1970 5.04 6.47
1969 5.16 6.44
1968 5.29 6.42
1967 5.43 6.39
1966 5.64 6.37
1965 5.84 6.35
1964 6.03 6.33
1963 6.19 6.31
1962 6.3 6.28
1961 6.37 6.26
1960 6.41 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Malaysia was 1.55 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Malaysia vs Sao Tome and Principe population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Malaysia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Natural population change
Malaysia Sao Tome
2023 254,806 5,221
2022 237,560 5,102
2021 212,002 4,954
2020 283,282 4,874
2019 309,426 4,932
2018 324,568 4,957
2017 336,434 5,007
2016 345,681 5,125
2015 358,302 5,269
2014 367,587 5,381
2013 366,738 5,449
2012 371,497 5,501
2011 372,836 5,445
2010 360,260 5,391
2009 366,157 5,349
2008 362,380 5,297
2007 348,711 5,226
2006 349,509 5,057
2005 355,324 4,897
2004 365,138 4,810
2003 377,425 4,702
2002 381,084 4,591
2001 400,939 4,471
2000 417,371 4,334
1999 432,355 4,221
1998 436,316 4,120
1997 447,768 4,041
1996 450,174 3,993
1995 443,349 3,948
1994 437,873 3,860
1993 429,910 3,841
1992 418,900 3,822
1991 401,938 3,801
1990 384,518 3,719
1989 373,277 3,576
1988 386,507 3,544
1987 381,999 3,440
1986 385,799 3,180
1985 383,243 3,242
1984 376,797 3,163
1983 365,290 3,100
1982 353,138 3,047
1981 339,991 3,015
1980 326,947 2,965
1979 317,439 2,893
1978 311,027 2,800
1977 305,515 2,705
1976 300,615 2,608
1975 294,541 2,515
1974 289,880 2,422
1973 284,611 2,329
1972 276,263 2,232
1971 272,323 2,127
1970 269,341 1,980
1969 264,327 1,862
1968 260,705 1,767
1967 258,764 1,693
1966 262,162 1,642
1965 264,836 1,611
1964 266,406 1,600
1963 265,815 1,609
1962 262,140 1,625
1961 257,270 1,657
1960 251,090 1,547

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 +0.73% in Malaysia and +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.92% in Malaysia and +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Birth rate in Malaysia vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Malaysia
Sao Tome and Principe

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Malaysia Sao Tome
2023 12.4 28.2
2022 12.4 28.3
2021 12.4 28.5
2020 13.4 28.6
2019 14.2 29.2
2018 14.8 29.8
2017 15.3 30.6
2016 15.8 31.7
2015 16.3 33
2014 16.7 34.3
2013 16.8 35.4
2012 17 36.4
2011 17.2 36.8
2010 16.9 37.3
2009 17.3 37.9
2008 17.4 38.5
2007 17.1 38.9
2006 17.4 38.9
2005 17.9 39
2004 18.7 39.2
2003 19.6 39.6
2002 20.1 39.8
2001 21.4 40
2000 22.6 39.7
1999 23.8 39.4
1998 24.4 39.2
1997 25.4 39.2
1996 26.1 39.3
1995 26.3 39.5
1994 26.6 39.4
1993 26.8 39.8
1992 26.8 40.2
1991 26.5 40.7
1990 26.2 40.7
1989 26.3 40.9
1988 27.8 40.9
1987 28.3 41
1986 29.4 41
1985 30.1 41
1984 30.6 41.1
1983 30.7 41.2
1982 30.8 41.3
1981 30.8 41.5
1980 30.7 41.6
1979 30.8 41.6
1978 31 41.4
1977 31.3 41.3
1976 31.7 41.1
1975 32 40.9
1974 32.3 40.6
1973 32.7 40.3
1972 32.7 39.9
1971 33.2 39.5
1970 33.7 38.8
1969 34 38.2
1968 34.5 37.8
1967 35.1 37.7
1966 36.4 38
1965 37.7 38.6
1964 39.1 39.7
1963 40.4 41.1
1962 41.3 42.7
1961 42.2 44.6
1960 42.9 44.6

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 12.4 in Malaysia and 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe, compared with 42.9 and 44.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Malaysia Sao Tome
Fertility rate 1.55 3.64
Fertility rate rank 133/196 41/196
Birth rate 12.4 28.2
Birth rate rank 112/196 39/196
Population change due to births and deaths +254,806 +5,221
Natural population change rank 54/196 126/196
Natural population change rate +0.73% +2.26%
Population growth +1.23% +2.02%
Population growth rank 89/197 49/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 31 years 28.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 5.24 82.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 66 169.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 25.6 47.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 26.5% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 34.5% 46%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.6% 96.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.03% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.41% 0.68%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.68% 0.94%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.81% 1.39%
Life expectancy 77.2 years 70.3 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Malaysia
Factual

UN forecast
Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Malaysia Sao Tome
2100 13.3% 19.5%
2099 13.3% 19.6%
2098 13.4% 19.8%
2097 13.4% 19.9%
2096 13.4% 20%
2095 13.4% 20.2%
2094 13.5% 20.3%
2093 13.5% 20.4%
2092 13.5% 20.6%
2091 13.6% 20.7%
2090 13.6% 20.9%
2089 13.7% 21.1%
2088 13.7% 21.2%
2087 13.7% 21.4%
2086 13.8% 21.6%
2085 13.8% 21.8%
2084 13.8% 22%
2083 13.9% 22.2%
2082 13.9% 22.4%
2081 13.9% 22.6%
2080 13.9% 22.9%
2079 13.9% 23.1%
2078 13.9% 23.3%
2077 13.9% 23.5%
2076 13.9% 23.7%
2075 13.9% 24%
2074 13.9% 24.2%
2073 13.9% 24.4%
2072 13.9% 24.6%
2071 13.9% 24.8%
2070 13.9% 25%
2069 14% 25.2%
2068 14% 25.4%
2067 14.1% 25.6%
2066 14.1% 25.9%
2065 14.2% 26.1%
2064 14.3% 26.3%
2063 14.4% 26.5%
2062 14.5% 26.8%
2061 14.6% 27%
2060 14.8% 27.3%
2059 14.9% 27.5%
2058 15.1% 27.8%
2057 15.2% 28.1%
2056 15.4% 28.4%
2055 15.5% 28.7%
2054 15.7% 29%
2053 15.8% 29.4%
2052 16% 29.7%
2051 16.1% 30.1%
2050 16.2% 30.4%
2049 16.3% 30.8%
2048 16.4% 31.1%
2047 16.5% 31.5%
2046 16.6% 31.8%
2045 16.7% 32.1%
2044 16.8% 32.5%
2043 16.9% 32.8%
2042 16.9% 33.1%
2041 17% 33.4%
2040 17.1% 33.6%
2039 17.1% 33.9%
2038 17.2% 34.1%
2037 17.3% 34.4%
2036 17.3% 34.6%
2035 17.5% 34.7%
2034 17.7% 34.9%
2033 18% 35.1%
2032 18.3% 35.3%
2031 18.7% 35.5%
2030 19.2% 35.8%
2029 19.7% 36.1%
2028 20.1% 36.6%
2027 20.6% 37%
2026 21.1% 37.3%
2025 21.6% 37.6%
2024 21.8% 37.8%
2023 22.3% 38.3%
2022 22.8% 38.8%
2021 23.4% 39.4%
2020 24% 39.9%
2019 24.5% 40.5%
2018 24.9% 40.9%
2017 25.2% 41.4%
2016 25.5% 41.7%
2015 25.8% 41.9%
2014 26.2% 42%
2013 26.6% 42%
2012 27% 42%
2011 27.4% 42%
2010 27.9% 42.1%
2009 28.6% 42.1%
2008 29.4% 42.1%
2007 30% 42%
2006 30.7% 42%
2005 31.4% 42%
2004 32% 42.1%
2003 32.6% 42.2%
2002 33.2% 42.3%
2001 33.7% 42.5%
2000 34.2% 42.8%
1999 34.6% 43.4%
1998 35% 43.9%
1997 35.3% 44.3%
1996 35.5% 44.7%
1995 35.7% 44.9%
1994 36% 45.1%
1993 36.3% 45.2%
1992 36.6% 45.2%
1991 36.9% 45.1%
1990 37.2% 45.1%
1989 37.5% 45%
1988 37.7% 45%
1987 37.9% 44.9%
1986 38% 44.7%
1985 38.1% 44.5%
1984 38.2% 44.4%
1983 38.4% 44.5%
1982 38.6% 44.5%
1981 38.8% 44.7%
1980 39.2% 44.9%
1979 39.6% 45.1%
1978 40.1% 45.2%
1977 40.6% 45.3%
1976 41.1% 45.4%
1975 41.7% 45.5%
1974 42.2% 45.6%
1973 42.8% 45.7%
1972 43.4% 45.9%
1971 44% 46.1%
1970 44.5% 46.2%
1969 45% 45.8%
1968 45.5% 44.9%
1967 45.9% 44%
1966 46.2% 42.9%
1965 46.5% 41.6%
1964 46.6% 40.2%
1963 46.5% 38.5%
1962 46.3% 36.6%
1961 45.9% 34.3%
1960 45.4% 32.9%

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/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 21.8% of the population in Malaysia and 37.8% in Sao Tome and Principe in 2024, compared to 37.2% and 45.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Malaysia and Sao Tome and Principe compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Malaysia vs Sao Tome and Principe

Malaysia
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Malaysia Sao Tome
2023 26 75
2022 38 82
2021 52 98
2020 29 92
2019 28 95
2018 29 100
2017 29 110
2016 30 119
2015 30 128
2014 30 138
2013 29 150
2012 29 158
2011 29 164
2010 29 170
2009 29 172
2008 29 174
2007 30 174
2006 30 177
2005 31 181
2004 33 177
2003 34 178
2002 34 179
2001 36 178
2000 37 180
1999 38 179
1998 39 175
1997 40 173
1996 42 171
1995 43 172
1994 44 168
1993 46 166
1992 48 164
1991 49 166
1990 51 164
1989 52 167
1988 55 157
1987 56 161
1986 59 175
1985 63 159

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 26 deaths per 100,000 live births in Malaysia, compared to 75 deaths in Sao Tome and Principe.

Under-five mortality rates

Malaysia
Sao Tome and Principe

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Malaysia Sao Tome
2023 0.81% 1.39%
2022 0.81% 1.46%
2021 0.81% 1.53%
2020 0.81% 1.6%
2019 0.82% 1.7%
2018 0.82% 1.81%
2017 0.82% 1.95%
2016 0.82% 2.11%
2015 0.81% 2.31%
2014 0.81% 2.54%
2013 0.81% 2.77%
2012 0.8% 3.04%
2011 0.81% 3.33%
2010 0.81% 3.63%
2009 0.82% 3.95%
2008 0.82% 4.3%
2007 0.82% 4.68%
2006 0.83% 5.11%
2005 0.83% 5.56%
2004 0.84% 6.05%
2003 0.85% 6.57%
2002 0.88% 7.1%
2001 0.93% 7.66%
2000 1% 8.21%
1999 1.07% 8.76%
1998 1.15% 9.26%
1997 1.23% 9.73%
1996 1.29% 10.1%
1995 1.34% 10.4%
1994 1.39% 10.7%
1993 1.45% 10.8%
1992 1.51% 10.9%
1991 1.58% 10.9%
1990 1.66% 10.8%
1989 1.74% 10.7%
1988 1.83% 10.6%
1987 1.93% 10.4%
1986 2.05% 11.4%
1985 2.18% 9.99%
1984 2.32% 9.77%
1983 2.47% 9.56%
1982 2.65% 9.37%
1981 2.84% 9.21%
1980 3.04% 9.1%
1979 3.25% 9.02%
1978 3.48% 8.96%
1977 3.71% 8.93%
1976 3.97% 8.89%
1975 4.23% 8.85%
1974 4.5% 8.79%
1973 4.79% 8.73%
1972 5.06% 8.67%
1971 5.32% 8.63%
1970 5.56% 8.64%
1969 5.79% 8.71%
1968 6.02% 8.85%
1967 6.27% 9.04%
1966 6.56% 9.29%
1965 6.89% 9.56%
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/malaysia/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.81% in Malaysia and 1.39% in Sao Tome and Principe. 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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