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Fertility & birth rates in Mozambique and Zambia

Updated on by Georank team

Mozambique has an annual birth rate of 37.5 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33.1 for Zambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.76 in Mozambique and 4.1 in Zambia — 13.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 24.5% in Mozambique and by 41% in Zambia — in 1960, it was 6.31 and 6.95, respectively.

  • Mozambique is ranked 8/196 by birth rate compared to 19/196 for Zambia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.2 years in Mozambique, compared to 19.2 years in Zambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.3 in Mozambique — it's 28.3 in Zambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 153.5 in Mozambique vs 115.9 in Zambia.
  • In Mozambique, 24.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Zambia.

Fertility rate in Mozambique vs Zambia by year

Mozambique
Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Mozambique Zambia
2023 4.76 4.1
2022 4.84 4.18
2021 4.91 4.25
2020 4.96 4.32
2019 5.02 4.42
2018 5.07 4.49
2017 5.13 4.57
2016 5.19 4.67
2015 5.25 4.78
2014 5.3 4.89
2013 5.43 5.01
2012 5.52 5.14
2011 5.6 5.26
2010 5.66 5.36
2009 5.68 5.45
2008 5.6 5.53
2007 5.47 5.61
2006 5.45 5.68
2005 5.5 5.7
2004 5.55 5.7
2003 5.6 5.71
2002 5.67 5.77
2001 5.76 5.85
2000 5.83 5.92
1999 5.88 6
1998 5.91 6.07
1997 5.93 6.12
1996 5.97 6.18
1995 6.02 6.23
1994 6.08 6.26
1993 6.15 6.3
1992 6.22 6.35
1991 6.28 6.46
1990 6.32 6.57
1989 6.35 6.64
1988 6.37 6.7
1987 6.39 6.8
1986 6.41 6.87
1985 6.43 6.93
1984 6.44 6.97
1983 6.43 7.01
1982 6.43 7.04
1981 6.48 7.07
1980 6.53 7.14
1979 6.56 7.22
1978 6.59 7.29
1977 6.62 7.35
1976 6.64 7.39
1975 6.66 7.42
1974 6.67 7.36
1973 6.7 7.34
1972 6.7 7.3
1971 6.7 7.26
1970 6.7 7.22
1969 6.67 7.18
1968 6.65 7.18
1967 6.61 7.15
1966 6.58 7.14
1965 6.54 7.12
1964 6.51 7.09
1963 6.47 7.06
1962 6.42 7.01
1961 6.37 6.98
1960 6.31 6.95

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Mozambique was 4.76 children per woman in 2023, compared to 4.1 in Zambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Mozambique
Zambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Mozambique Zambia
2023 1,025,334 577,660
2022 1,003,689 563,456
2021 951,234 535,629
2020 945,952 536,484
2019 927,581 528,089
2018 903,176 515,644
2017 876,594 504,630
2016 850,430 497,521
2015 824,435 491,021
2014 799,778 483,663
2013 784,641 476,846
2012 763,088 469,406
2011 741,303 459,743
2010 719,025 448,337
2009 693,673 434,458
2008 654,920 419,560
2007 610,913 403,729
2006 586,009 387,891
2005 570,132 368,756
2004 554,973 349,352
2003 540,992 331,189
2002 529,867 316,041
2001 519,594 302,682
2000 506,162 293,186
1999 491,814 283,297
1998 474,453 275,568
1997 461,209 268,198
1996 442,559 262,468
1995 421,630 257,897
1994 384,821 252,023
1993 369,518 245,917
1992 362,373 239,953
1991 357,676 237,957
1990 353,290 235,835
1989 348,833 233,429
1988 349,480 230,118
1987 334,438 227,813
1986 332,609 224,768
1985 307,625 221,351
1984 304,524 216,695
1983 324,158 212,712
1982 321,493 207,621
1981 322,207 202,822
1980 349,586 198,817
1979 331,162 197,578
1978 310,403 194,933
1977 289,193 191,557
1976 273,924 186,762
1975 257,984 182,258
1974 240,665 174,484
1973 226,847 168,258
1972 215,793 161,648
1971 211,137 155,249
1970 207,385 149,380
1969 202,174 142,660
1968 197,623 137,315
1967 193,044 131,938
1966 189,218 127,164
1965 185,931 122,814
1964 182,334 117,197
1963 180,867 114,555
1962 176,297 110,173
1961 171,236 106,318
1960 165,774 102,335

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/mozambique/zambia | 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 +3.05% in Mozambique and +2.79% in Zambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.08% in Mozambique and +2.87% in Zambia.

Birth rate in Mozambique vs Zambia by year

Mozambique
Zambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Mozambique Zambia
2023 37.5 33.1
2022 38 33.5
2021 38.4 33.9
2020 38.7 34.4
2019 39.1 35
2018 39.4 35.5
2017 39.8 35.9
2016 40.1 36.6
2015 40.4 37.3
2014 40.8 38.1
2013 41.6 39
2012 42 39.9
2011 42.5 40.7
2010 42.8 41.4
2009 42.9 42
2008 42.3 42.6
2007 41.3 43.2
2006 41.1 43.7
2005 41.4 43.8
2004 41.6 43.9
2003 42 43.9
2002 42.5 44.3
2001 43.1 44.8
2000 43.6 45.5
1999 43.9 45.9
1998 44 46.2
1997 44.3 46.3
1996 44.4 46.6
1995 44.4 46.8
1994 43.6 46.7
1993 45.1 46.6
1992 46.2 46.6
1991 46.8 46.9
1990 47.4 47
1989 48 47.1
1988 48.6 47.1
1987 49.4 47.3
1986 49.3 47.4
1985 49.7 47.4
1984 50.1 47.3
1983 50.5 47.3
1982 51 47.3
1981 51.9 47.3
1980 53 47.5
1979 51.9 48.2
1978 50.8 48.7
1977 49.8 49.2
1976 49.2 49.5
1975 48.4 50
1974 47.8 49.7
1973 47.3 49.7
1972 47 49.6
1971 47.2 49.4
1970 47.5 49.3
1969 47.6 48.9
1968 47.8 48.9
1967 47.9 48.8
1966 48 48.8
1965 48.2 48.8
1964 48.4 48.9
1963 48.5 48.9
1962 48.5 48.9
1961 48.4 48.9
1960 48.3 48.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 37.5 in Mozambique and 33.1 in Zambia, compared with 48.3 and 48.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Mozambique Zambia
Fertility rate 4.76 4.1
Fertility rate rank 10/196 24/196
Birth rate 37.5 33.1
Birth rate rank 8/196 19/196
Population change due to births and deaths +1,025,334 +577,660
Natural population change rank 19/196 34/196
Natural population change rate +3.05% +2.79%
Population growth +2.96% +2.85%
Population growth rank 16/197 21/197
Age at first childbirth 19.2 years 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.3 years 28.3 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 152.4 115.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 199.5 176.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 67.9 64.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24.2% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 25.4% 47.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 73% 80.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.1% 0.09%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.54% 2.2%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 4.54% 3.09%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 6.17% 4.47%
Life expectancy 64.1 years 66.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Mozambique
Factual

UN forecast
Zambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Mozambique Zambia
2100 21.4% 21.6%
2099 21.5% 21.7%
2098 21.7% 21.9%
2097 21.8% 22%
2096 22% 22.2%
2095 22.1% 22.3%
2094 22.3% 22.5%
2093 22.5% 22.7%
2092 22.6% 22.8%
2091 22.8% 23%
2090 23% 23.1%
2089 23.2% 23.3%
2088 23.4% 23.5%
2087 23.6% 23.6%
2086 23.8% 23.8%
2085 24% 24%
2084 24.2% 24.2%
2083 24.4% 24.3%
2082 24.6% 24.5%
2081 24.9% 24.7%
2080 25.1% 24.9%
2079 25.3% 25.1%
2078 25.6% 25.3%
2077 25.8% 25.5%
2076 26.1% 25.7%
2075 26.4% 25.9%
2074 26.6% 26.1%
2073 26.9% 26.4%
2072 27.2% 26.6%
2071 27.4% 26.8%
2070 27.7% 27%
2069 28% 27.2%
2068 28.3% 27.5%
2067 28.6% 27.7%
2066 28.9% 27.9%
2065 29.2% 28.1%
2064 29.5% 28.4%
2063 29.9% 28.6%
2062 30.2% 28.9%
2061 30.5% 29.1%
2060 30.8% 29.3%
2059 31.2% 29.6%
2058 31.5% 29.8%
2057 31.9% 30.1%
2056 32.3% 30.4%
2055 32.6% 30.6%
2054 33% 30.9%
2053 33.4% 31.2%
2052 33.8% 31.5%
2051 34.2% 31.8%
2050 34.6% 32.2%
2049 35% 32.5%
2048 35.4% 32.8%
2047 35.8% 33.2%
2046 36.2% 33.5%
2045 36.7% 33.9%
2044 37.1% 34.2%
2043 37.5% 34.6%
2042 38% 34.9%
2041 38.4% 35.3%
2040 38.8% 35.6%
2039 39.2% 36%
2038 39.7% 36.3%
2037 40.1% 36.6%
2036 40.5% 37%
2035 40.9% 37.3%
2034 41.3% 37.6%
2033 41.7% 38%
2032 42% 38.3%
2031 42.4% 38.7%
2030 42.7% 39%
2029 43% 39.4%
2028 43.4% 39.8%
2027 43.7% 40.3%
2026 44% 40.7%
2025 44.3% 41.2%
2024 44.5% 41.5%
2023 44.8% 42%
2022 45% 42.4%
2021 45.1% 42.9%
2020 45.2% 43.3%
2019 45.3% 43.8%
2018 45.4% 44.1%
2017 45.5% 44.5%
2016 45.6% 44.9%
2015 45.7% 45.2%
2014 45.8% 45.5%
2013 45.8% 45.7%
2012 45.9% 45.9%
2011 45.8% 46.1%
2010 45.8% 46.3%
2009 45.6% 46.4%
2008 45.5% 46.6%
2007 45.4% 46.8%
2006 45.4% 47%
2005 45.3% 47.1%
2004 45.3% 47.3%
2003 45.3% 47.4%
2002 45.2% 47.6%
2001 45.1% 47.8%
2000 45.1% 48%
1999 45% 48.1%
1998 44.9% 48.2%
1997 44.8% 48.2%
1996 44.9% 48.2%
1995 45% 48.2%
1994 45.2% 48.2%
1993 45.4% 48.2%
1992 45.5% 48.2%
1991 45.6% 48.3%
1990 45.7% 48.4%
1989 45.7% 48.5%
1988 45.8% 48.6%
1987 45.9% 48.7%
1986 45.9% 48.8%
1985 45.9% 48.9%
1984 45.9% 49%
1983 45.8% 49.1%
1982 45.7% 49.3%
1981 45.6% 49.4%
1980 45.3% 49.5%
1979 44.9% 49.5%
1978 44.6% 49.4%
1977 44.3% 49.2%
1976 44.1% 49.1%
1975 44% 48.8%
1974 43.8% 48.6%
1973 43.7% 48.3%
1972 43.6% 48%
1971 43.4% 47.7%
1970 43.3% 47.4%
1969 43.1% 47.2%
1968 42.9% 47.1%
1967 42.7% 47%
1966 42.5% 46.9%
1965 42.2% 46.9%
1964 41.9% 46.7%
1963 41.6% 46.5%
1962 41.4% 46.3%
1961 41.2% 46.2%
1960 41% 46%

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/mozambique/zambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 44.5% of the population in Mozambique and 41.5% in Zambia in 2024, compared to 45.7% and 48.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Mozambique and Zambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Mozambique vs Zambia

Mozambique
Zambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Mozambique Zambia
2023 99 85
2022 104 89
2021 180 140
2020 123 99
2019 134 103
2018 159 117
2017 187 141
2016 202 158
2015 216 154
2014 210 174
2013 196 213
2012 218 256
2011 268 291
2010 305 332
2009 352 406
2008 365 394
2007 327 324
2006 298 262
2005 301 264
2004 321 260
2003 360 250
2002 398 274
2001 473 306
2000 547 340
1999 624 378
1998 694 392
1997 738 403
1996 819 433
1995 883 466
1994 902 507
1993 968 532
1992 1,046 581
1991 1,094 611
1990 1,150 625
1989 1,209 635
1988 1,259 635
1987 1,348 630
1986 1,355 619
1985 1,452 596

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 99 deaths per 100,000 live births in Mozambique, compared to 85 deaths in Zambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Mozambique
Zambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Mozambique Zambia
2023 6.17% 4.47%
2022 6.43% 4.67%
2021 6.58% 4.92%
2020 6.73% 5.24%
2019 6.83% 5.41%
2018 6.95% 5.52%
2017 7.09% 5.61%
2016 7.23% 5.9%
2015 7.51% 6.15%
2014 7.92% 6.38%
2013 8.26% 6.72%
2012 8.63% 7.04%
2011 9.05% 7.31%
2010 9.5% 7.57%
2009 9.75% 8%
2008 10.4% 8.62%
2007 11% 9.14%
2006 11.8% 9.71%
2005 12.5% 10.5%
2004 13.2% 11.4%
2003 13.9% 12.4%
2002 14.6% 13.4%
2001 15.4% 14.4%
2000 16.3% 15.3%
1999 17.2% 15.9%
1998 18.2% 16.3%
1997 19.2% 16.7%
1996 20.1% 17%
1995 20.9% 17.3%
1994 21.6% 17.7%
1993 22.1% 17.9%
1992 22.6% 18.1%
1991 23% 18.1%
1990 23.3% 18.1%
1989 23.6% 17.9%
1988 23.9% 17.7%
1987 24.2% 17.3%
1986 24.5% 17%
1985 24.8% 16.6%
1984 25.1% 16.2%
1983 25.3% 15.9%
1982 25.5% 15.7%
1981 25.6% 15.6%
1980 25.6% 15.5%
1979 25.7% 15.4%
1978 25.7% 15.3%
1977 25.8% 15.3%
1976 26% 15.4%
1975 26.1% 15.5%
1974 26.3% 15.9%
1973 26.4% 16.3%
1972 26.6% 16.9%
1971 26.7% 17.4%
1970 26.8% 17.9%
1969 26.9% 18.3%
1968 26.9% 18.5%
1967 26.9% 18.7%
1966 26.8% 18.9%
1965 26.8% 19%
1964 26.7% 19.2%
1963 26.5% 19.5%
1962 - 19.8%
1961 - 20.1%
1960 - 20.5%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 6.17% in Mozambique and 4.47% in Zambia. 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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