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Fertility & birth rates in Nigeria and North Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has an annual birth rate of 33 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 4.48 in Nigeria and 1.78 in North Korea — 60.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 29.6% in Nigeria and by 50.1% in North Korea — in 1960, it was 6.36 and 3.57, respectively.

  • Nigeria is ranked 20/196 by birth rate compared to 109/196 for North Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.1 in Nigeria — it's 28.8 in North Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 86.4 in Nigeria vs 0.51 in North Korea.
  • In Nigeria, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 23.3% in North Korea.

Fertility rate in Nigeria vs North Korea by year

Nigeria
North Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nigeria North Korea
2023 4.48 1.78
2022 4.55 1.8
2021 4.64 1.81
2020 4.7 1.82
2019 4.86 1.83
2018 5.02 1.83
2017 5.18 1.85
2016 5.34 1.86
2015 5.5 1.86
2014 5.62 1.87
2013 5.69 1.88
2012 5.8 1.88
2011 5.89 1.88
2010 5.95 1.89
2009 5.99 1.91
2008 6.02 1.97
2007 6.03 1.94
2006 6.05 1.94
2005 6.06 1.87
2004 6.09 1.9
2003 6.1 1.91
2002 6.12 1.92
2001 6.13 1.94
2000 6.12 1.94
1999 6.08 1.97
1998 6.07 1.99
1997 6.14 2.03
1996 6.22 2.09
1995 6.27 2.15
1994 6.32 2.18
1993 6.35 2.22
1992 6.39 2.29
1991 6.43 2.35
1990 6.46 2.39
1989 6.49 2.41
1988 6.5 2.47
1987 6.5 2.53
1986 6.56 2.59
1985 6.62 2.65
1984 6.7 2.71
1983 6.78 2.78
1982 6.8 2.85
1981 6.82 2.92
1980 6.85 2.84
1979 6.89 2.85
1978 6.92 2.79
1977 6.86 2.77
1976 6.81 2.84
1975 6.77 3.05
1974 6.7 3.14
1973 6.63 3.35
1972 6.58 3.89
1971 6.53 3.74
1970 6.47 3.85
1969 6.44 3.86
1968 6.42 3.87
1967 6.4 4.05
1966 6.39 3.71
1965 6.37 3.56
1964 6.36 3.55
1963 6.35 3.63
1962 6.36 3.41
1961 6.35 3.26
1960 6.36 3.57

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Nigeria was 4.48 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 Nigeria vs North Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Nigeria
North Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Nigeria North Korea
2023 4,834,309 86,203
2022 4,739,502 96,495
2021 4,641,562 99,710
2020 4,525,164 95,920
2019 4,609,941 106,208
2018 4,659,898 113,164
2017 4,706,183 120,181
2016 4,761,594 125,048
2015 4,823,045 127,365
2014 4,862,319 127,078
2013 4,811,751 122,519
2012 4,774,508 118,773
2011 4,728,363 114,798
2010 4,629,173 112,443
2009 4,528,149 111,530
2008 4,412,976 122,015
2007 4,265,428 120,521
2006 4,135,703 129,171
2005 4,013,788 132,765
2004 3,877,376 155,838
2003 3,751,120 178,775
2002 3,606,814 119,504
2001 3,478,370 143,321
2000 3,343,196 161,591
1999 3,155,425 181,613
1998 3,003,946 197,589
1997 2,936,500 211,325
1996 2,882,205 226,095
1995 2,830,771 233,381
1994 2,735,198 320,861
1993 2,673,675 320,880
1992 2,596,173 324,002
1991 2,527,807 320,551
1990 2,491,928 312,460
1989 2,452,324 303,078
1988 2,376,419 299,305
1987 2,322,397 296,030
1986 2,295,003 293,227
1985 2,289,784 287,714
1984 2,278,060 282,987
1983 2,292,089 279,046
1982 2,233,401 276,332
1981 2,179,884 273,800
1980 2,121,618 255,206
1979 2,074,807 251,409
1978 2,019,621 243,533
1977 1,923,917 242,870
1976 1,827,289 255,841
1975 1,718,623 288,966
1974 1,624,813 306,902
1973 1,525,485 338,600
1972 1,448,928 411,997
1971 1,373,896 393,220
1970 1,295,507 406,129
1969 1,213,484 404,189
1968 1,168,254 399,837
1967 1,082,884 414,632
1966 1,095,582 363,882
1965 1,061,840 335,587
1964 1,028,272 323,623
1963 995,116 321,805
1962 966,452 286,534
1961 932,111 257,788
1960 901,301 277,717

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/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 +2.12% in Nigeria and +0.33% in North Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.29% in Nigeria and +0.42% in North Korea.

Birth rate in Nigeria vs North Korea by year

Nigeria
North Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Nigeria North Korea
2023 33 12.9
2022 33.2 13.1
2021 33.5 13.3
2020 33.7 13.4
2019 34.7 13.4
2018 35.7 13.4
2017 36.7 13.5
2016 37.8 13.5
2015 39 13.4
2014 39.9 13.4
2013 40.4 13.4
2012 41.1 13.3
2011 41.8 13.3
2010 42.1 13.3
2009 42.5 13.4
2008 42.8 13.9
2007 42.9 13.9
2006 43.2 14
2005 43.4 13.9
2004 43.5 14.6
2003 43.7 15.3
2002 43.8 16.1
2001 43.9 16.9
2000 43.9 17.5
1999 43.4 18.3
1998 43.2 18.9
1997 43.5 19.4
1996 43.9 20
1995 44.1 20.3
1994 44 20.4
1993 44.1 20.4
1992 44.2 20.5
1991 44.3 20.6
1990 44.5 20.5
1989 44.8 20.2
1988 44.7 20.2
1987 44.8 20.3
1986 45.3 20.4
1985 45.9 20.4
1984 46.5 20.4
1983 47.5 20.5
1982 47.5 20.6
1981 47.9 20.8
1980 48.3 20.1
1979 48.8 20.2
1978 49.3 20.1
1977 49.1 20.4
1976 49 21.5
1975 49 23.9
1974 48.7 25.6
1973 48.2 28.2
1972 48 33.7
1971 47.8 33.4
1970 47.4 35.3
1969 47.3 36.2
1968 47.2 37.1
1967 47.1 39.3
1966 47 36.6
1965 46.9 35.4
1964 46.9 35.4
1963 46.8 36.1
1962 46.7 34
1961 46.6 32.3
1960 46.5 34.8

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33 in Nigeria and 12.9 in North Korea, compared with 46.5 and 34.8, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Nigeria North Korea
Fertility rate 4.48 1.78
Fertility rate rank 15/196 112/196
Birth rate 33 12.9
Birth rate rank 20/196 109/196
Population change due to births and deaths +4,834,309 +86,203
Natural population change rank 3/196 83/196
Natural population change rate +2.12% +0.33%
Population growth +2.1% +0.31%
Population growth rank 48/197 150/197
Age at first childbirth 20.4 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 29.1 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 80.7 0.49
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 200.4 120.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 67.2 13.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 23.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 18.2% 68.8%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 50.7% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.99% 0.07%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.37% 0.96%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 6.01% 1.45%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 10.5% 1.8%
Life expectancy 55 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Nigeria
Factual

UN forecast
North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Nigeria North Korea
2100 20.4% 13%
2099 20.5% 13.1%
2098 20.6% 13.2%
2097 20.7% 13.3%
2096 20.8% 13.4%
2095 20.9% 13.4%
2094 21% 13.5%
2093 21.1% 13.6%
2092 21.2% 13.7%
2091 21.4% 13.8%
2090 21.5% 13.8%
2089 21.6% 13.8%
2088 21.8% 13.9%
2087 21.9% 13.9%
2086 22.1% 13.9%
2085 22.2% 13.8%
2084 22.4% 13.8%
2083 22.6% 13.8%
2082 22.7% 13.7%
2081 22.9% 13.7%
2080 23.1% 13.7%
2079 23.3% 13.6%
2078 23.5% 13.6%
2077 23.7% 13.6%
2076 23.9% 13.6%
2075 24.1% 13.7%
2074 24.3% 13.7%
2073 24.5% 13.8%
2072 24.7% 13.8%
2071 25% 14%
2070 25.2% 14.1%
2069 25.4% 14.2%
2068 25.7% 14.3%
2067 25.9% 14.5%
2066 26.1% 14.6%
2065 26.4% 14.8%
2064 26.6% 14.9%
2063 26.9% 15%
2062 27.2% 15.1%
2061 27.4% 15.2%
2060 27.7% 15.3%
2059 28% 15.4%
2058 28.3% 15.4%
2057 28.6% 15.4%
2056 29% 15.4%
2055 29.3% 15.4%
2054 29.6% 15.4%
2053 30% 15.3%
2052 30.3% 15.3%
2051 30.7% 15.2%
2050 31.1% 15.2%
2049 31.5% 15.2%
2048 31.8% 15.2%
2047 32.2% 15.2%
2046 32.6% 15.3%
2045 32.9% 15.3%
2044 33.3% 15.5%
2043 33.7% 15.6%
2042 34% 15.8%
2041 34.4% 16%
2040 34.7% 16.2%
2039 35% 16.5%
2038 35.4% 16.7%
2037 35.7% 17%
2036 36% 17.2%
2035 36.3% 17.5%
2034 36.6% 17.8%
2033 37% 18%
2032 37.4% 18.2%
2031 37.8% 18.4%
2030 38.3% 18.6%
2029 38.8% 18.7%
2028 39.3% 18.8%
2027 39.8% 18.9%
2026 40.3% 18.9%
2025 40.8% 18.9%
2024 41% 18.9%
2023 41.5% 19%
2022 42% 19%
2021 42.4% 19.1%
2020 42.8% 19.1%
2019 43.2% 19.1%
2018 43.6% 19.2%
2017 43.9% 19.4%
2016 44.1% 19.6%
2015 44.3% 19.8%
2014 44.4% 20.1%
2013 44.5% 20.4%
2012 44.5% 20.8%
2011 44.5% 21.2%
2010 44.4% 21.6%
2009 44.4% 22.1%
2008 44.3% 22.5%
2007 44.2% 23%
2006 44.1% 23.4%
2005 44% 23.9%
2004 43.9% 24.3%
2003 43.8% 24.6%
2002 43.8% 25%
2001 43.7% 25.3%
2000 43.7% 25.6%
1999 43.8% 25.8%
1998 43.9% 26%
1997 44.1% 26.2%
1996 44.2% 26.3%
1995 44.4% 26.4%
1994 44.6% 26.4%
1993 44.8% 26.4%
1992 45% 26.3%
1991 45.2% 26.4%
1990 45.3% 26.5%
1989 45.5% 26.8%
1988 45.5% 27.3%
1987 45.6% 28%
1986 45.6% 29%
1985 45.5% 29.9%
1984 45.4% 30.9%
1983 45.2% 32%
1982 45% 33.1%
1981 44.8% 34.2%
1980 44.6% 35.1%
1979 44.4% 36%
1978 44.2% 36.9%
1977 43.9% 37.7%
1976 43.7% 38.3%
1975 43.4% 38.8%
1974 43.2% 39.3%
1973 43% 39.8%
1972 42.8% 40.2%
1971 42.5% 40.3%
1970 42.4% 40.1%
1969 42.2% 39.8%
1968 42% 39.2%
1967 41.8% 38.3%
1966 41.7% 37.3%
1965 41.5% 36.7%
1964 41.4% 36.6%
1963 41.2% 36.5%
1962 41.1% 36.6%
1961 41.1% 37%
1960 41.1% 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/nigeria/north-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41% of the population in Nigeria and 18.9% in North Korea in 2024, compared to 45.3% and 26.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Nigeria 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/nigeria/north-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Nigeria vs North Korea

Nigeria
North Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Nigeria North Korea
2023 993 67
2022 1,016 67
2021 1,046 72
2020 1,065 66
2019 1,091 66
2018 1,118 69
2017 1,142 70
2016 1,155 71
2015 1,168 72
2014 1,155 73
2013 1,146 75
2012 1,124 76
2011 1,108 76
2010 1,094 77
2009 1,088 78
2008 1,081 79
2007 1,063 80
2006 1,067 80
2005 1,060 78
2004 1,075 77
2003 1,090 76
2002 1,117 131
2001 1,130 130
2000 1,136 129
1999 1,165 129
1998 1,189 129
1997 1,184 128
1996 1,185 128
1995 1,186 127
1994 1,193 57
1993 1,200 46
1992 1,246 37
1991 1,282 38
1990 1,285 43
1989 1,304 49
1988 1,332 55
1987 1,351 62
1986 1,363 68
1985 1,344 76

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 993 deaths per 100,000 live births in Nigeria, compared to 67 deaths in North Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Nigeria
North Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Nigeria North Korea
2023 10.5% 1.8%
2022 10.8% 1.77%
2021 11.1% 1.74%
2020 11.4% 1.74%
2019 11.8% 1.77%
2018 12% 1.84%
2017 12.3% 1.91%
2016 12.5% 2.06%
2015 12.6% 2.14%
2014 12.8% 2.26%
2013 12.9% 2.41%
2012 13.1% 2.57%
2011 13.3% 2.72%
2010 13.5% 2.87%
2009 13.8% 3%
2008 14.1% 3.1%
2007 14.5% 3.24%
2006 15% 3.28%
2005 15.5% 3.33%
2004 16% 3.38%
2003 16.5% 3.45%
2002 17.1% 9.78%
2001 17.7% 9.9%
2000 18.2% 10%
1999 18.8% 10.2%
1998 19.3% 10.3%
1997 19.7% 10.5%
1996 20.1% 10.6%
1995 20.4% 10.8%
1994 20.6% 4.25%
1993 20.7% 4.27%
1992 20.8% 4.25%
1991 20.9% 4.18%
1990 21% 4.07%
1989 21% 3.95%
1988 21% 3.83%
1987 20.9% 3.78%
1986 20.9% 3.68%
1985 20.8% 3.68%
1984 20.7% 3.71%
1983 20.7% 3.8%
1982 20.8% 3.91%
1981 21% 4.05%
1980 21.3% 4.22%
1979 21.8% 4.4%
1978 22.3% 4.59%
1977 22.9% 4.8%
1976 23.6% 5.03%
1975 24.4% 5.28%
1974 25.2% 5.56%
1973 26.1% 5.86%
1972 26.9% 6.2%
1971 27.7% 6.58%
1970 28.5% 6.99%
1969 29.3% 7.45%
1968 30% 7.94%
1967 30.7% 8.45%
1966 31.3% 8.96%
1965 32% 9.46%
1964 32.7% 9.92%
1963 - 10.4%
1962 - 10.8%
1961 - 11.2%
1960 - 11.6%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 10.5% in Nigeria 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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