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Fertility & birth rates in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea

Updated on by Georank team

New Zealand has an annual birth rate of 10.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 24.6 for Papua New Guinea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.56 in New Zealand and 3.1 in Papua New Guinea — 98.7% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 63.2% in New Zealand and by 48.5% in Papua New Guinea — in 1960, it was 4.24 and 6.02, respectively.

  • New Zealand is ranked 134/196 by birth rate compared to 55/196 for Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 27.8 years in New Zealand, compared to 21.9 years in Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 30.8 in New Zealand — it's 29.2 in Papua New Guinea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 10.9 in New Zealand vs 54.1 in Papua New Guinea.
  • In New Zealand, 22.8% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in Papua New Guinea.

Fertility rate in New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea by year

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2023 1.56 3.1
2022 1.66 3.17
2021 1.64 3.22
2020 1.61 3.27
2019 1.72 3.32
2018 1.71 3.38
2017 1.81 3.43
2016 1.87 3.5
2015 1.99 3.56
2014 1.92 3.63
2013 2.01 3.68
2012 2.1 3.75
2011 2.09 3.82
2010 2.17 3.88
2009 2.13 3.94
2008 2.19 4.01
2007 2.18 4.08
2006 2.01 4.15
2005 1.97 4.22
2004 1.98 4.28
2003 1.93 4.36
2002 1.89 4.42
2001 1.97 4.47
2000 1.98 4.53
1999 1.97 4.59
1998 1.89 4.63
1997 1.96 4.68
1996 1.96 4.73
1995 1.98 4.78
1994 1.98 4.87
1993 2.04 4.96
1992 2.06 5.03
1991 2.09 5.11
1990 2.18 5.18
1989 2.12 5.24
1988 2.1 5.3
1987 2.03 5.36
1986 1.96 5.42
1985 1.93 5.47
1984 1.93 5.51
1983 1.92 5.56
1982 1.95 5.59
1981 2.01 5.65
1980 2.03 5.71
1979 2.12 5.79
1978 2.07 5.88
1977 2.21 5.96
1976 2.27 6.02
1975 2.37 6.07
1974 2.58 6.11
1973 2.76 6.16
1972 3 6.2
1971 3.18 6.23
1970 3.17 6.25
1969 3.28 6.26
1968 3.34 6.25
1967 3.35 6.24
1966 3.41 6.23
1965 3.54 6.2
1964 3.8 6.19
1963 4.05 6.15
1962 4.19 6.14
1961 4.31 6.07
1960 4.24 6.02

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in New Zealand was 1.56 children per woman in 2023, compared to 3.1 in Papua New Guinea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Natural population change
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2023 18,876 187,637
2022 20,123 186,861
2021 23,644 183,766
2020 24,905 189,130
2019 25,299 190,662
2018 24,797 190,662
2017 26,282 189,715
2016 28,237 189,281
2015 29,408 188,600
2014 26,196 187,592
2013 29,096 185,790
2012 31,077 183,658
2011 31,302 181,842
2010 35,458 178,998
2009 33,560 175,421
2008 35,143 172,823
2007 35,480 169,306
2006 30,924 166,540
2005 30,674 163,888
2004 29,634 161,023
2003 28,150 158,611
2002 25,941 155,091
2001 27,939 151,431
2000 29,897 147,496
1999 28,916 143,592
1998 29,146 136,677
1997 30,137 134,458
1996 28,997 129,802
1995 29,828 125,410
1994 30,372 122,113
1993 31,685 118,668
1992 32,067 114,818
1991 33,518 111,453
1990 33,298 110,033
1989 30,749 108,199
1988 29,846 106,256
1987 27,603 104,367
1986 25,549 102,346
1985 24,126 100,333
1984 26,043 98,103
1983 24,315 95,982
1982 24,207 93,522
1981 25,374 91,767
1980 23,658 90,266
1979 26,675 89,330
1978 26,156 88,747
1977 28,020 87,954
1976 29,456 86,965
1975 31,355 85,809
1974 33,896 84,829
1973 35,239 83,821
1972 38,244 82,672
1971 40,000 80,599
1970 37,101 78,712
1969 38,098 76,454
1968 37,594 73,983
1967 37,974 71,519
1966 36,151 69,206
1965 36,982 66,693
1964 39,375 64,558
1963 42,027 62,260
1962 42,865 59,974
1961 43,482 58,151
1960 41,791 56,326

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | 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 +0.36% in New Zealand and +1.81% in Papua New Guinea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.51% in New Zealand and +2% in Papua New Guinea.

Birth rate in New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea by year

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2023 10.9 24.6
2022 11.5 25.2
2021 11.5 25.6
2020 11.3 26.1
2019 12 26.5
2018 11.8 27
2017 12.4 27.4
2016 12.6 27.9
2015 13.2 28.4
2014 12.7 28.9
2013 13.2 29.4
2012 13.9 29.8
2011 14 30.3
2010 14.7 30.7
2009 14.5 31.1
2008 15.1 31.5
2007 15.2 31.9
2006 14.1 32.4
2005 14 32.8
2004 14.2 33.2
2003 13.9 33.7
2002 13.7 34
2001 14.4 34.2
2000 14.7 34.4
1999 14.9 34.7
1998 14.5 34.8
1997 15.2 34.8
1996 15.3 34.9
1995 15.7 35
1994 15.8 35.3
1993 16.5 35.6
1992 16.8 35.8
1991 17.1 36.1
1990 17.9 36.7
1989 17.4 37.1
1988 17.4 37.3
1987 16.7 37.4
1986 16.1 37.5
1985 15.8 37.7
1984 15.9 37.7
1983 15.7 37.8
1982 15.7 37.7
1981 16.1 37.9
1980 16.1 38.1
1979 16.7 38.7
1978 16.2 39.3
1977 17.2 39.9
1976 17.6 40.5
1975 18.3 41.1
1974 19.5 41.8
1973 20.4 42.6
1972 21.7 43.3
1971 22.5 43.7
1970 22 44
1969 22.4 44.2
1968 22.6 44.4
1967 22.4 44.5
1966 22.4 44.6
1965 22.8 44.6
1964 24.1 44.7
1963 25.4 44.7
1962 26.2 44.9
1961 27 44.9
1960 26.4 45.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 10.9 in New Zealand and 24.6 in Papua New Guinea, compared with 26.4 and 45.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

New Zealand Papua New Guinea
Fertility rate 1.56 3.1
Fertility rate rank 130/196 55/196
Birth rate 10.9 24.6
Birth rate rank 134/196 55/196
Population change due to births and deaths +18,876 +187,637
Natural population change rank 110/196 63/196
Natural population change rate +0.36% +1.81%
Population growth +1.68% +1.8%
Population growth rank 65/197 59/197
Age at first childbirth 27.8 years 21.9 years
Average age at childbearing 30.8 years 29.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 9.32 52.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 65.8 144.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 20.4 46.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.8% 25.9%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 71.6% 30.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96.5% 56.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.007% 0.19%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.27% 2.05%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.4% 3.2%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.47% 4.03%
Life expectancy 82.5 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

New Zealand
Factual

UN forecast
Papua New Guinea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2100 13.6% 19%
2099 13.6% 19.1%
2098 13.6% 19.2%
2097 13.6% 19.3%
2096 13.7% 19.4%
2095 13.7% 19.5%
2094 13.7% 19.6%
2093 13.8% 19.7%
2092 13.8% 19.8%
2091 13.8% 19.9%
2090 13.8% 20%
2089 13.8% 20.1%
2088 13.9% 20.2%
2087 13.9% 20.4%
2086 13.9% 20.5%
2085 13.9% 20.6%
2084 13.9% 20.7%
2083 13.9% 20.8%
2082 13.9% 20.9%
2081 13.9% 21%
2080 13.9% 21.2%
2079 13.9% 21.3%
2078 13.9% 21.4%
2077 13.9% 21.5%
2076 13.9% 21.7%
2075 13.9% 21.8%
2074 14% 21.9%
2073 14% 22.1%
2072 14% 22.2%
2071 14.1% 22.4%
2070 14.1% 22.5%
2069 14.1% 22.7%
2068 14.2% 22.8%
2067 14.3% 23%
2066 14.3% 23.2%
2065 14.4% 23.3%
2064 14.4% 23.5%
2063 14.5% 23.7%
2062 14.6% 23.9%
2061 14.7% 24.1%
2060 14.7% 24.3%
2059 14.8% 24.5%
2058 14.9% 24.6%
2057 15% 24.8%
2056 15% 25%
2055 15.1% 25.2%
2054 15.1% 25.4%
2053 15.2% 25.6%
2052 15.2% 25.8%
2051 15.2% 26%
2050 15.2% 26.2%
2049 15.2% 26.4%
2048 15.3% 26.6%
2047 15.3% 26.8%
2046 15.3% 27%
2045 15.3% 27.2%
2044 15.3% 27.4%
2043 15.4% 27.6%
2042 15.4% 27.9%
2041 15.5% 28.1%
2040 15.5% 28.4%
2039 15.6% 28.7%
2038 15.7% 28.9%
2037 15.9% 29.2%
2036 16% 29.6%
2035 16.1% 29.9%
2034 16.2% 30.2%
2033 16.4% 30.6%
2032 16.5% 30.9%
2031 16.7% 31.2%
2030 16.9% 31.6%
2029 17.1% 31.9%
2028 17.3% 32.3%
2027 17.5% 32.6%
2026 17.8% 33%
2025 18% 33.3%
2024 18.1% 33.5%
2023 18.4% 33.8%
2022 18.6% 34.1%
2021 18.9% 34.4%
2020 19% 34.7%
2019 19.2% 35%
2018 19.3% 35.3%
2017 19.5% 35.6%
2016 19.6% 35.9%
2015 19.9% 36.2%
2014 20.2% 36.5%
2013 20.4% 36.7%
2012 20.6% 37%
2011 20.8% 37.2%
2010 20.9% 37.5%
2009 20.9% 37.7%
2008 21% 38%
2007 21.1% 38.3%
2006 21.3% 38.5%
2005 21.5% 38.8%
2004 21.8% 39%
2003 22.1% 39.3%
2002 22.4% 39.5%
2001 22.6% 39.8%
2000 22.8% 40%
1999 22.9% 40.2%
1998 23% 40.4%
1997 23% 40.6%
1996 23% 40.8%
1995 23.1% 41%
1994 23.1% 41.2%
1993 23.1% 41.5%
1992 23.1% 41.7%
1991 23.2% 41.9%
1990 23.3% 42.1%
1989 23.3% 42.3%
1988 23.5% 42.4%
1987 23.8% 42.4%
1986 24.2% 42.5%
1985 24.6% 42.6%
1984 25.1% 42.8%
1983 25.6% 42.9%
1982 26.2% 43%
1981 26.7% 43.2%
1980 27.2% 43.5%
1979 27.8% 44%
1978 28.4% 44.4%
1977 29% 44.9%
1976 29.6% 45.2%
1975 30.1% 45.5%
1974 30.5% 45.8%
1973 31% 45.9%
1972 31.4% 46%
1971 31.7% 46%
1970 31.9% 45.8%
1969 32.2% 45.6%
1968 32.3% 45.3%
1967 32.5% 45.1%
1966 32.6% 44.9%
1965 32.7% 44.6%
1964 32.9% 44.4%
1963 32.9% 44.2%
1962 33% 43.9%
1961 33% 43.7%
1960 32.8% 43.4%

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/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.1% of the population in New Zealand and 33.5% in Papua New Guinea in 2024, compared to 23.3% and 42.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of New Zealand and Papua New Guinea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: New Zealand vs Papua New Guinea

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2023 7 189
2022 23 189
2021 8 223
2020 8 194
2019 8 199
2018 7 205
2017 8 207
2016 8 214
2015 8 221
2014 7 232
2013 8 243
2012 9 257
2011 10 271
2010 10 289
2009 10 302
2008 10 315
2007 10 326
2006 10 325
2005 11 326
2004 11 326
2003 11 328
2002 11 329
2001 10 325
2000 11 323
1999 12 321
1998 12 325
1997 13 316
1996 14 316
1995 14 318
1994 13 324
1993 14 333
1992 15 340
1991 16 354
1990 18 360
1989 18 369
1988 19 377
1987 19 379
1986 18 386
1985 19 393

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 7 deaths per 100,000 live births in New Zealand, compared to 189 deaths in Papua New Guinea.

Under-five mortality rates

New Zealand
Papua New Guinea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
New Zealand Papua New Guinea
2023 0.47% 4.03%
2022 0.48% 4.17%
2021 0.49% 4.31%
2020 0.5% 4.45%
2019 0.51% 4.59%
2018 0.52% 4.72%
2017 0.53% 4.87%
2016 0.55% 5.02%
2015 0.56% 5.17%
2014 0.57% 5.3%
2013 0.59% 5.44%
2012 0.6% 5.59%
2011 0.61% 5.73%
2010 0.62% 5.88%
2009 0.63% 6.02%
2008 0.64% 6.16%
2007 0.65% 6.31%
2006 0.65% 6.44%
2005 0.66% 6.58%
2004 0.67% 6.71%
2003 0.69% 6.84%
2002 0.7% 6.96%
2001 0.72% 7.08%
2000 0.74% 7.19%
1999 0.76% 7.3%
1998 0.78% 7.41%
1997 0.81% 7.52%
1996 0.84% 7.64%
1995 0.87% 7.77%
1994 0.91% 7.89%
1993 0.95% 8.03%
1992 1% 8.17%
1991 1.06% 8.31%
1990 1.12% 8.47%
1989 1.18% 8.63%
1988 1.24% 8.78%
1987 1.29% 8.96%
1986 1.34% 9.12%
1985 1.38% 9.3%
1984 1.41% 9.5%
1983 1.45% 9.71%
1982 1.48% 9.94%
1981 1.52% 10.2%
1980 1.56% 10.4%
1979 1.61% 10.7%
1978 1.66% 11%
1977 1.71% 11.3%
1976 1.77% 11.7%
1975 1.83% 12.1%
1974 1.88% 12.4%
1973 1.94% 12.9%
1972 1.98% 13.3%
1971 2.03% 13.7%
1970 2.08% 14.2%
1969 2.12% 14.7%
1968 2.16% 15.2%
1967 2.2% 15.8%
1966 2.25% 16.3%
1965 2.31% 16.9%
1964 2.39% 17.4%
1963 2.48% 18%
1962 2.58% 18.6%
1961 2.68% 19.2%
1960 2.78% 19.8%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/new-zealand/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.47% in New Zealand and 4.03% in Papua New Guinea. 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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