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Fertility & birth rates in Netherlands and North Korea

Updated on by Georank team

The Netherlands has an annual birth rate of 9.2 births per 1,000 people, compared to 12.9 for North Korea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.43 in the Netherlands and 1.78 in North Korea — 24.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 54.2% in the Netherlands and by 50.1% in North Korea — in 1960, it was 3.12 and 3.57, respectively.

  • The Netherlands is ranked 157/196 by birth rate compared to 109/196 for North Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.9 in the Netherlands — it's 28.8 in North Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 1.86 in the Netherlands vs 0.51 in North Korea.
  • In the Netherlands, 21.7% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.3% in North Korea.

Fertility rate in Netherlands vs North Korea by year

Netherlands
North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Netherlands North Korea
2023 1.43 1.78
2022 1.49 1.8
2021 1.62 1.81
2020 1.54 1.82
2019 1.57 1.83
2018 1.59 1.83
2017 1.62 1.85
2016 1.66 1.86
2015 1.66 1.86
2014 1.71 1.87
2013 1.68 1.88
2012 1.72 1.88
2011 1.76 1.88
2010 1.79 1.89
2009 1.79 1.91
2008 1.77 1.97
2007 1.72 1.94
2006 1.72 1.94
2005 1.71 1.87
2004 1.72 1.9
2003 1.75 1.91
2002 1.73 1.92
2001 1.71 1.94
2000 1.72 1.94
1999 1.65 1.97
1998 1.63 1.99
1997 1.56 2.03
1996 1.53 2.09
1995 1.53 2.15
1994 1.57 2.18
1993 1.57 2.22
1992 1.59 2.29
1991 1.61 2.35
1990 1.62 2.39
1989 1.55 2.41
1988 1.55 2.47
1987 1.56 2.53
1986 1.55 2.59
1985 1.51 2.65
1984 1.49 2.71
1983 1.47 2.78
1982 1.5 2.85
1981 1.56 2.92
1980 1.6 2.84
1979 1.56 2.85
1978 1.58 2.79
1977 1.58 2.77
1976 1.63 2.84
1975 1.66 3.05
1974 1.77 3.14
1973 1.9 3.35
1972 2.15 3.89
1971 2.36 3.74
1970 2.57 3.85
1969 2.75 3.86
1968 2.72 3.87
1967 2.81 4.05
1966 2.9 3.71
1965 3.04 3.56
1964 3.17 3.55
1963 3.19 3.63
1962 3.18 3.41
1961 3.22 3.26
1960 3.12 3.57

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in the Netherlands was 1.43 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.78 in North Korea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check the Netherlands vs North Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Netherlands
North Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Netherlands North Korea
2023 -5,363 86,203
2022 -1,770 96,495
2021 7,014 99,710
2020 0 95,920
2019 17,345 106,208
2018 15,508 113,164
2017 18,844 120,181
2016 23,843 125,048
2015 23,716 127,365
2014 35,417 127,078
2013 30,248 122,519
2012 35,186 118,773
2011 45,072 114,798
2010 48,184 112,443
2009 51,244 111,530
2008 49,337 122,015
2007 49,145 120,521
2006 49,038 129,171
2005 50,592 132,765
2004 56,987 155,838
2003 58,411 178,775
2002 59,751 119,504
2001 62,580 143,321
2000 66,887 161,591
1999 60,086 181,613
1998 61,258 197,589
1997 56,198 211,325
1996 51,251 226,095
1995 54,106 233,381
1994 61,532 320,861
1993 58,103 320,880
1992 66,811 324,002
1991 69,321 320,551
1990 68,777 312,460
1989 59,396 303,078
1988 61,993 299,305
1987 64,526 296,030
1986 59,746 293,227
1985 55,069 287,714
1984 54,812 282,987
1983 51,722 279,046
1982 54,388 276,332
1981 62,688 273,800
1980 66,504 255,206
1979 63,172 251,409
1978 61,344 243,533
1977 63,739 242,870
1976 63,361 255,841
1975 64,232 288,966
1974 75,853 306,902
1973 84,668 338,600
1972 101,297 411,997
1971 116,112 393,220
1970 129,082 406,129
1969 139,082 404,189
1968 132,389 399,837
1967 138,580 414,632
1966 138,265 363,882
1965 146,308 335,587
1964 157,653 323,623
1963 154,361 321,805
1962 153,474 286,534
1961 159,450 257,788
1960 151,623 277,717

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-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 -0.03% in the Netherlands and +0.33% in North Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.08% in the Netherlands and +0.42% in North Korea.

Birth rate in Netherlands vs North Korea by year

Netherlands
North Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Netherlands North Korea
2023 9.2 12.9
2022 9.5 13.1
2021 10.2 13.3
2020 9.7 13.4
2019 9.8 13.4
2018 9.8 13.4
2017 9.9 13.5
2016 10.1 13.5
2015 10.1 13.4
2014 10.4 13.4
2013 10.2 13.4
2012 10.5 13.3
2011 10.8 13.3
2010 11.1 13.3
2009 11.2 13.4
2008 11.2 13.9
2007 11.1 13.9
2006 11.3 14
2005 11.5 13.9
2004 11.9 14.6
2003 12.3 15.3
2002 12.5 16.1
2001 12.6 16.9
2000 13 17.5
1999 12.7 18.3
1998 12.7 18.9
1997 12.3 19.4
1996 12.2 20
1995 12.3 20.3
1994 12.7 20.4
1993 12.8 20.4
1992 13 20.5
1991 13.2 20.6
1990 13.2 20.5
1989 12.7 20.2
1988 12.6 20.2
1987 12.7 20.3
1986 12.7 20.4
1985 12.3 20.4
1984 12.1 20.4
1983 11.8 20.5
1982 12 20.6
1981 12.5 20.8
1980 12.8 20.1
1979 12.5 20.2
1978 12.6 20.1
1977 12.5 20.4
1976 12.9 21.5
1975 13 23.9
1974 13.7 25.6
1973 14.5 28.2
1972 16.1 33.7
1971 17.2 33.4
1970 18.3 35.3
1969 19.2 36.2
1968 18.6 37.1
1967 18.9 39.3
1966 19.2 36.6
1965 19.9 35.4
1964 20.7 35.4
1963 20.9 36.1
1962 20.9 34
1961 21.3 32.3
1960 20.8 34.8

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.2 in the Netherlands and 12.9 in North Korea, compared with 20.8 and 34.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Netherlands North Korea
Fertility rate 1.43 1.78
Fertility rate rank 159/196 112/196
Birth rate 9.2 12.9
Birth rate rank 157/196 109/196
Population change due to births and deaths -5,363 +86,203
Natural population change rank 168/196 83/196
Natural population change rate -0.03% +0.33%
Population growth +0.65% +0.31%
Population growth rank 121/197 150/197
Age at first childbirth 30.4 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 31.9 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.61 0.49
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 48.8 120.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.8 13.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.7% 23.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 75.6% 68.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 100% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.004% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.26% 0.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.35% 1.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.4% 1.8%
Life expectancy 82.6 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Netherlands
Factual

UN forecast
North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Netherlands North Korea
2100 13.2% 13%
2099 13.2% 13.1%
2098 13.2% 13.2%
2097 13.2% 13.3%
2096 13.2% 13.4%
2095 13.2% 13.4%
2094 13.2% 13.5%
2093 13.1% 13.6%
2092 13.1% 13.7%
2091 13.1% 13.8%
2090 13.1% 13.8%
2089 13.1% 13.8%
2088 13.1% 13.9%
2087 13.1% 13.9%
2086 13.1% 13.9%
2085 13.2% 13.8%
2084 13.2% 13.8%
2083 13.2% 13.8%
2082 13.2% 13.7%
2081 13.3% 13.7%
2080 13.3% 13.7%
2079 13.3% 13.6%
2078 13.4% 13.6%
2077 13.4% 13.6%
2076 13.4% 13.6%
2075 13.5% 13.7%
2074 13.5% 13.7%
2073 13.5% 13.8%
2072 13.5% 13.8%
2071 13.6% 14%
2070 13.6% 14.1%
2069 13.6% 14.2%
2068 13.6% 14.3%
2067 13.6% 14.5%
2066 13.6% 14.6%
2065 13.6% 14.8%
2064 13.6% 14.9%
2063 13.6% 15%
2062 13.6% 15.1%
2061 13.6% 15.2%
2060 13.5% 15.3%
2059 13.5% 15.4%
2058 13.5% 15.4%
2057 13.6% 15.4%
2056 13.6% 15.4%
2055 13.6% 15.4%
2054 13.6% 15.4%
2053 13.7% 15.3%
2052 13.7% 15.3%
2051 13.8% 15.2%
2050 13.9% 15.2%
2049 13.9% 15.2%
2048 14% 15.2%
2047 14.1% 15.2%
2046 14.2% 15.3%
2045 14.3% 15.3%
2044 14.3% 15.5%
2043 14.4% 15.6%
2042 14.5% 15.8%
2041 14.5% 16%
2040 14.6% 16.2%
2039 14.6% 16.5%
2038 14.6% 16.7%
2037 14.6% 17%
2036 14.7% 17.2%
2035 14.7% 17.5%
2034 14.7% 17.8%
2033 14.7% 18%
2032 14.7% 18.2%
2031 14.8% 18.4%
2030 14.8% 18.6%
2029 14.8% 18.7%
2028 14.8% 18.8%
2027 14.8% 18.9%
2026 14.9% 18.9%
2025 15% 18.9%
2024 15% 18.9%
2023 15.2% 19%
2022 15.4% 19%
2021 15.5% 19.1%
2020 15.6% 19.1%
2019 15.8% 19.1%
2018 16% 19.2%
2017 16.2% 19.4%
2016 16.4% 19.6%
2015 16.6% 19.8%
2014 16.9% 20.1%
2013 17.1% 20.4%
2012 17.3% 20.8%
2011 17.4% 21.2%
2010 17.6% 21.6%
2009 17.7% 22.1%
2008 17.9% 22.5%
2007 18.1% 23%
2006 18.3% 23.4%
2005 18.5% 23.9%
2004 18.6% 24.3%
2003 18.7% 24.6%
2002 18.8% 25%
2001 18.8% 25.3%
2000 18.8% 25.6%
1999 18.7% 25.8%
1998 18.6% 26%
1997 18.6% 26.2%
1996 18.6% 26.3%
1995 18.6% 26.4%
1994 18.6% 26.4%
1993 18.5% 26.4%
1992 18.5% 26.3%
1991 18.4% 26.4%
1990 18.4% 26.5%
1989 18.4% 26.8%
1988 18.5% 27.3%
1987 18.7% 28%
1986 19.1% 29%
1985 19.5% 29.9%
1984 20.1% 30.9%
1983 20.7% 32%
1982 21.3% 33.1%
1981 21.8% 34.2%
1980 22.3% 35.1%
1979 22.9% 36%
1978 23.5% 36.9%
1977 24.2% 37.7%
1976 24.8% 38.3%
1975 25.3% 38.8%
1974 25.9% 39.3%
1973 26.4% 39.8%
1972 26.8% 40.2%
1971 27.1% 40.3%
1970 27.3% 40.1%
1969 27.5% 39.8%
1968 27.6% 39.2%
1967 27.8% 38.3%
1966 28.1% 37.3%
1965 28.3% 36.7%
1964 28.5% 36.6%
1963 28.7% 36.5%
1962 29.1% 36.6%
1961 29.7% 37%
1960 30% 37.5%

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/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 15% of the population in the Netherlands and 18.9% in North Korea in 2024, compared to 18.4% and 26.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of the Netherlands and North Korea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Netherlands vs North Korea

Netherlands
North Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Netherlands North Korea
2023 4 67
2022 4 67
2021 5 72
2020 4 66
2019 5 66
2018 5 69
2017 5 70
2016 5 71
2015 5 72
2014 5 73
2013 6 75
2012 6 76
2011 7 76
2010 6 77
2009 7 78
2008 8 79
2007 8 80
2006 9 80
2005 10 78
2004 11 77
2003 12 76
2002 13 131
2001 13 130
2000 13 129
1999 13 129
1998 12 129
1997 13 128
1996 12 128
1995 12 127
1994 12 57
1993 12 46
1992 12 37
1991 12 38
1990 12 43
1989 12 49
1988 12 55
1987 12 62
1986 12 68
1985 12 76

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 4 deaths per 100,000 live births in the Netherlands, compared to 67 deaths in North Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Netherlands
North Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Netherlands North Korea
2023 0.4% 1.8%
2022 0.4% 1.77%
2021 0.4% 1.74%
2020 0.4% 1.74%
2019 0.4% 1.77%
2018 0.4% 1.84%
2017 0.4% 1.91%
2016 0.41% 2.06%
2015 0.41% 2.14%
2014 0.41% 2.26%
2013 0.42% 2.41%
2012 0.42% 2.57%
2011 0.43% 2.72%
2010 0.44% 2.87%
2009 0.46% 3%
2008 0.47% 3.1%
2007 0.49% 3.24%
2006 0.51% 3.28%
2005 0.53% 3.33%
2004 0.55% 3.38%
2003 0.57% 3.45%
2002 0.59% 9.78%
2001 0.61% 9.9%
2000 0.62% 10%
1999 0.63% 10.2%
1998 0.64% 10.3%
1997 0.66% 10.5%
1996 0.67% 10.6%
1995 0.69% 10.8%
1994 0.71% 4.25%
1993 0.74% 4.27%
1992 0.77% 4.25%
1991 0.8% 4.18%
1990 0.83% 4.07%
1989 0.86% 3.95%
1988 0.89% 3.83%
1987 0.92% 3.78%
1986 0.95% 3.68%
1985 0.97% 3.68%
1984 0.99% 3.71%
1983 1.02% 3.8%
1982 1.04% 3.91%
1981 1.06% 4.05%
1980 1.09% 4.22%
1979 1.12% 4.4%
1978 1.16% 4.59%
1977 1.21% 4.8%
1976 1.26% 5.03%
1975 1.31% 5.28%
1974 1.36% 5.56%
1973 1.41% 5.86%
1972 1.47% 6.2%
1971 1.53% 6.58%
1970 1.58% 6.99%
1969 1.64% 7.45%
1968 1.69% 7.94%
1967 1.74% 8.45%
1966 1.79% 8.96%
1965 1.83% 9.46%
1964 1.88% 9.92%
1963 1.92% 10.4%
1962 1.97% 10.8%
1961 2.03% 11.2%
1960 2.08% 11.6%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/netherlands/north-korea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.4% in the Netherlands and 1.8% in North 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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