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Fertility & birth rates in Namibia and South Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has an annual birth rate of 25.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 4.5 for South Korea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.21 in Namibia and 0.72 in South Korea — 77.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 48.6% in Namibia and by 88% in South Korea — in 1960, it was 6.24 and 5.99, respectively.

  • Namibia is ranked 49/196 by birth rate compared to 196/196 for South Korea.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 21.6 years in Namibia, compared to 32.2 years in South Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.9 in Namibia — it's 33.4 in South Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 66 in Namibia vs 0.54 in South Korea.
  • In Namibia, 25.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.7% in South Korea.

Fertility rate in Namibia vs South Korea by year

Namibia
South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Namibia South Korea
2023 3.21 0.72
2022 3.25 0.78
2021 3.3 0.81
2020 3.35 0.84
2019 3.4 0.92
2018 3.46 0.98
2017 3.51 1.05
2016 3.57 1.17
2015 3.6 1.24
2014 3.64 1.21
2013 3.65 1.19
2012 3.68 1.3
2011 3.66 1.24
2010 3.66 1.23
2009 3.63 1.15
2008 3.62 1.19
2007 3.61 1.26
2006 3.6 1.13
2005 3.57 1.09
2004 3.55 1.16
2003 3.58 1.19
2002 3.69 1.18
2001 3.83 1.31
2000 3.99 1.48
1999 4.14 1.43
1998 4.18 1.46
1997 4.17 1.54
1996 4.2 1.57
1995 4.42 1.63
1994 4.68 1.66
1993 4.91 1.65
1992 5.11 1.76
1991 5.29 1.71
1990 5.4 1.57
1989 5.52 1.56
1988 5.61 1.55
1987 5.7 1.53
1986 5.79 1.58
1985 5.88 1.66
1984 5.94 1.74
1983 6 2.06
1982 6.08 2.39
1981 6.16 2.57
1980 6.24 2.82
1979 6.31 2.9
1978 6.38 2.64
1977 6.44 2.99
1976 6.49 3
1975 6.53 3.43
1974 6.55 3.77
1973 6.54 4.07
1972 6.53 4.12
1971 6.52 4.54
1970 6.52 4.53
1969 6.51 4.45
1968 6.5 4.51
1967 6.49 4.62
1966 6.47 4.78
1965 6.45 4.89
1964 6.43 5.07
1963 6.41 5.33
1962 6.35 5.56
1961 6.29 5.8
1960 6.24 5.99

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Namibia was 3.21 children per woman in 2023, compared to 0.72 in South Korea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Namibia vs South Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Namibia
South Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Namibia South Korea
2023 58,435 -77,569
2022 54,534 -124,014
2021 50,160 -56,947
2020 55,034 -31,101
2019 54,769 10,353
2018 53,970 30,951
2017 52,975 71,907
2016 52,228 122,923
2015 50,846 163,248
2014 49,581 167,464
2013 47,801 166,415
2012 46,204 215,859
2011 43,557 214,728
2010 42,046 213,083
2009 39,942 197,231
2008 38,147 215,841
2007 36,430 248,286
2006 34,690 203,441
2005 32,909 187,920
2004 31,478 225,988
2003 31,115 244,251
2002 31,947 247,752
2001 32,942 312,643
2000 35,280 390,167
1999 37,233 368,272
1998 37,500 393,436
1997 37,256 422,773
1996 37,177 446,142
1995 39,119 468,967
1994 41,316 473,200
1993 42,861 477,302
1992 43,945 494,352
1991 44,523 467,594
1990 43,956 411,546
1989 37,715 403,266
1988 34,798 399,297
1987 33,340 378,758
1986 31,764 395,651
1985 30,575 416,219
1984 29,395 436,384
1983 28,307 514,844
1982 27,474 605,626
1981 27,938 631,189
1980 28,142 583,294
1979 28,930 623,068
1978 29,821 499,084
1977 29,241 578,947
1976 28,785 530,558
1975 27,882 603,300
1974 26,844 673,030
1973 25,754 699,115
1972 24,606 740,469
1971 23,467 789,185
1970 22,414 747,987
1969 21,387 694,227
1968 20,470 684,487
1967 19,498 692,169
1966 18,635 623,534
1965 17,902 641,090
1964 17,134 655,501
1963 16,430 685,824
1962 15,656 712,590
1961 14,936 730,173
1960 14,307 728,010

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | 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 +1.97% in Namibia and -0.15% in South Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.04% in Namibia and +0.06% in South Korea.

Birth rate in Namibia vs South Korea by year

Namibia
South Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Namibia South Korea
2023 25.9 4.5
2022 26.3 4.9
2021 27 5.1
2020 27.7 5.3
2019 28.4 5.9
2018 29.1 6.4
2017 29.7 7
2016 30.3 7.9
2015 30.7 8.6
2014 31 8.6
2013 31.2 8.6
2012 31.4 9.6
2011 31.1 9.4
2010 31 9.4
2009 30.6 9
2008 30.3 9.4
2007 30 10.1
2006 29.7 9.2
2005 29.3 9
2004 28.9 9.8
2003 29 10.2
2002 29.6 10.3
2001 30.5 11.7
2000 31.6 13.5
1999 32.6 13.2
1998 32.9 13.7
1997 32.8 14.5
1996 32.9 15
1995 34.5 15.7
1994 36.3 16
1993 37.9 16
1992 39.3 16.7
1991 40.5 16.4
1990 41 15.2
1989 38.2 15.1
1988 38.7 15.1
1987 38.6 15
1986 38.3 15.4
1985 38.3 16.1
1984 38.3 16.7
1983 38.3 19.3
1982 38.4 21.6
1981 39.8 22.4
1980 40.6 22.6
1979 40.8 23
1978 42.6 20.3
1977 42.8 22.7
1976 43.5 22.2
1975 43.7 24.8
1974 43.9 26.6
1973 43.9 28.3
1972 43.7 28.4
1971 43.6 31.2
1970 43.4 31.2
1969 43.3 30.3
1968 43.2 30.7
1967 43 31.5
1966 42.9 32.8
1965 42.8 33.8
1964 42.7 35.2
1963 42.6 37.2
1962 42.4 39
1961 42.2 40.9
1960 42.1 42.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 25.9 in Namibia and 4.5 in South Korea, compared with 42.1 and 42.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Namibia South Korea
Fertility rate 3.21 0.72
Fertility rate rank 50/196 196/196
Birth rate 25.9 4.5
Birth rate rank 49/196 196/196
Population change due to births and deaths +58,435 -77,569
Natural population change rank 90/196 187/196
Natural population change rate +1.97% -0.15%
Population growth +2.26% +0.07%
Population growth rank 41/197 160/197
Age at first childbirth 21.6 years 32.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.9 years 33.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 64.8 0.56
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 145.8 14.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 50.1 10.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.7% 21.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 55.3% 67.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 88.2% 100%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.14% 0.004%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.41% 0.12%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 3.84% 0.23%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 4.07% 0.28%
Life expectancy 67.8 years 84.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Namibia
Factual

UN forecast
South Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Namibia South Korea
2100 18.7% 8.61%
2099 18.8% 8.6%
2098 18.9% 8.59%
2097 19.1% 8.59%
2096 19.2% 8.59%
2095 19.3% 8.6%
2094 19.5% 8.61%
2093 19.6% 8.62%
2092 19.7% 8.62%
2091 19.9% 8.62%
2090 20% 8.62%
2089 20.2% 8.6%
2088 20.3% 8.58%
2087 20.4% 8.55%
2086 20.6% 8.5%
2085 20.7% 8.45%
2084 20.8% 8.39%
2083 21% 8.33%
2082 21.1% 8.26%
2081 21.2% 8.18%
2080 21.4% 8.09%
2079 21.5% 8%
2078 21.6% 7.91%
2077 21.8% 7.82%
2076 21.9% 7.72%
2075 22.1% 7.63%
2074 22.2% 7.53%
2073 22.4% 7.44%
2072 22.6% 7.35%
2071 22.8% 7.28%
2070 23% 7.21%
2069 23.2% 7.16%
2068 23.4% 7.13%
2067 23.6% 7.11%
2066 23.8% 7.11%
2065 24.1% 7.14%
2064 24.3% 7.18%
2063 24.6% 7.23%
2062 24.8% 7.3%
2061 25.1% 7.37%
2060 25.3% 7.45%
2059 25.6% 7.52%
2058 25.8% 7.6%
2057 26.1% 7.66%
2056 26.3% 7.72%
2055 26.5% 7.76%
2054 26.8% 7.79%
2053 27% 7.81%
2052 27.2% 7.83%
2051 27.4% 7.83%
2050 27.6% 7.83%
2049 27.8% 7.82%
2048 28% 7.81%
2047 28.2% 7.8%
2046 28.4% 7.79%
2045 28.6% 7.78%
2044 28.9% 7.78%
2043 29.1% 7.77%
2042 29.3% 7.76%
2041 29.6% 7.74%
2040 29.8% 7.72%
2039 30.1% 7.7%
2038 30.4% 7.66%
2037 30.8% 7.65%
2036 31.5% 7.65%
2035 32.2% 7.66%
2034 32.7% 7.73%
2033 33.2% 7.85%
2032 33.8% 8.02%
2031 34.3% 8.28%
2030 34.9% 8.59%
2029 35.3% 8.9%
2028 35.8% 9.23%
2027 36.1% 9.62%
2026 36.5% 10%
2025 36.8% 10.4%
2024 37% 10.6%
2023 37.3% 11%
2022 37.5% 11.4%
2021 37.4% 11.8%
2020 37.1% 12.1%
2019 37% 12.4%
2018 36.8% 12.7%
2017 36.7% 13%
2016 36.5% 13.4%
2015 36.5% 13.8%
2014 36.5% 14.2%
2013 36.6% 14.7%
2012 36.6% 15.2%
2011 36.7% 15.8%
2010 36.8% 16.4%
2009 37.1% 16.9%
2008 37.5% 17.5%
2007 38.1% 18.1%
2006 38.7% 18.7%
2005 39.4% 19.2%
2004 40% 19.7%
2003 40.5% 20.1%
2002 41% 20.5%
2001 41.3% 20.8%
2000 41.5% 21%
1999 41.7% 21.2%
1998 41.8% 21.6%
1997 41.9% 22%
1996 42% 22.5%
1995 42.1% 23.1%
1994 42.2% 23.7%
1993 42.2% 24.2%
1992 42.2% 24.7%
1991 42.2% 25.2%
1990 42.3% 25.8%
1989 43.4% 26.5%
1988 44.8% 27.3%
1987 45.3% 28.2%
1986 45.8% 29.2%
1985 46.2% 30.2%
1984 46.6% 31.2%
1983 46.9% 32%
1982 47.2% 32.7%
1981 47.1% 33.3%
1980 46.6% 34%
1979 46.3% 34.8%
1978 45.9% 35.6%
1977 45.3% 36.5%
1976 45% 37.5%
1975 44.8% 38.5%
1974 44.6% 39.5%
1973 44.3% 40.3%
1972 44.1% 41%
1971 43.9% 41.5%
1970 43.8% 42.1%
1969 43.6% 42.7%
1968 43.5% 43.1%
1967 43.3% 43.3%
1966 43.2% 43.5%
1965 43% 43.3%
1964 42.9% 43.1%
1963 42.7% 42.7%
1962 42.6% 42.3%
1961 42.4% 41.8%
1960 42.2% 41.3%

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/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 37% of the population in Namibia and 10.6% in South Korea in 2024, compared to 42.3% and 25.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Namibia and South Korea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Namibia vs South Korea

Namibia
South Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Namibia South Korea
2023 139 4
2022 127 7
2021 254 5
2020 143 12
2019 175 5
2018 198 5
2017 213 6
2016 250 6
2015 307 6
2014 369 7
2013 402 7
2012 439 8
2011 498 8
2010 531 8
2009 547 9
2008 537 9
2007 489 10
2006 408 10
2005 344 11
2004 282 12
2003 290 13
2002 313 13
2001 376 14
2000 384 15
1999 371 17
1998 396 18
1997 383 19
1996 387 20
1995 369 22
1994 367 23
1993 354 24
1992 346 26
1991 337 28
1990 325 28
1989 306 29
1988 342 31
1987 336 34
1986 348 35
1985 354 38

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 139 deaths per 100,000 live births in Namibia, compared to 4 deaths in South Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Namibia
South Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Namibia South Korea
2023 4.07% 0.28%
2022 4.2% 0.28%
2021 4.38% 0.29%
2020 4.57% 0.3%
2019 4.78% 0.31%
2018 5.01% 0.32%
2017 5.19% 0.33%
2016 5.42% 0.34%
2015 5.5% 0.35%
2014 5.31% 0.36%
2013 5.4% 0.37%
2012 5.51% 0.38%
2011 5.16% 0.4%
2010 5.08% 0.41%
2009 5.29% 0.43%
2008 5.64% 0.45%
2007 6.06% 0.48%
2006 6.49% 0.52%
2005 7.05% 0.56%
2004 7.41% 0.6%
2003 7.51% 0.64%
2002 7.61% 0.68%
2001 7.71% 0.71%
2000 7.79% 0.75%
1999 7.79% 0.8%
1998 7.7% 0.85%
1997 7.56% 0.91%
1996 7.39% 0.98%
1995 7.24% 1.05%
1994 7.13% 1.14%
1993 7.1% 1.23%
1992 7.14% 1.33%
1991 7.24% 1.44%
1990 7.39% 1.57%
1989 7.57% 1.71%
1988 7.81% 1.87%
1987 8.09% 2.05%
1986 8.43% 2.25%
1985 8.81% 2.46%
1984 9.22% 2.7%
1983 9.61% 2.93%
1982 9.93% 3.17%
1981 10.2% 3.4%
1980 10.3% 3.63%
1979 10.3% 3.84%
1978 10.3% 4.04%
1977 10.2% 4.23%
1976 10% 4.42%
1975 9.89% 4.61%
1974 9.79% 4.82%
1973 9.73% 5.07%
1972 9.68% 5.36%
1971 9.67% 5.71%
1970 9.65% 6.12%
1969 9.65% 6.59%
1968 9.64% 7.1%
1967 9.66% 7.62%
1966 - 8.16%
1965 - 8.68%
1964 - 9.18%
1963 - 9.67%
1962 - 10.1%
1961 - 10.6%
1960 - 11.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/namibia/south-korea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 4.07% in Namibia and 0.28% in South Korea. 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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