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Fertility & birth rates in Nigeria and Sri Lanka

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has an annual birth rate of 33 births per 1,000 people, compared to 11.2 for Sri Lanka. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 4.48 in Nigeria and 1.97 in Sri Lanka — 56% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 29.6% in Nigeria and by 63.1% in Sri Lanka — in 1960, it was 6.36 and 5.35, respectively.

  • Nigeria is ranked 20/196 by birth rate compared to 125/196 for Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 20.4 years in Nigeria, compared to 25.6 years in Sri Lanka.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.1 in Nigeria — it's 29.7 in Sri Lanka.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 86.4 in Nigeria vs 15.1 in Sri Lanka.
  • In Nigeria, 24% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.1% in Sri Lanka.

Fertility rate in Nigeria vs Sri Lanka by year

Nigeria
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Fertility rate
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2023 4.48 1.97
2022 4.55 1.98
2021 4.64 2
2020 4.7 2.01
2019 4.86 2.02
2018 5.02 2.03
2017 5.18 2.04
2016 5.34 2.06
2015 5.5 2.09
2014 5.62 2.13
2013 5.69 2.18
2012 5.8 2.17
2011 5.89 2.14
2010 5.95 2.13
2009 5.99 2.18
2008 6.02 2.23
2007 6.03 2.3
2006 6.05 2.29
2005 6.06 2.26
2004 6.09 2.27
2003 6.1 2.3
2002 6.12 2.31
2001 6.13 2.28
2000 6.12 2.21
1999 6.08 2.14
1998 6.07 2.14
1997 6.14 2.22
1996 6.22 2.29
1995 6.27 2.35
1994 6.32 2.4
1993 6.35 2.44
1992 6.39 2.49
1991 6.43 2.51
1990 6.46 2.54
1989 6.49 2.58
1988 6.5 2.57
1987 6.5 2.64
1986 6.56 2.74
1985 6.62 2.9
1984 6.7 3.01
1983 6.78 3.11
1982 6.8 3.32
1981 6.82 3.65
1980 6.85 3.73
1979 6.89 3.82
1978 6.92 3.81
1977 6.86 3.74
1976 6.81 3.78
1975 6.77 3.82
1974 6.7 3.86
1973 6.63 4
1972 6.58 4.16
1971 6.53 4.27
1970 6.47 4.39
1969 6.44 4.5
1968 6.42 4.66
1967 6.4 4.79
1966 6.39 4.83
1965 6.37 4.93
1964 6.36 5.06
1963 6.35 5.12
1962 6.36 5.18
1961 6.35 5.24
1960 6.36 5.35

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | 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 1.97 in Sri Lanka in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Nigeria vs Sri Lanka population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Nigeria
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Natural population change
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2023 4,834,309 66,111
2022 4,739,502 95,378
2021 4,641,562 121,858
2020 4,525,164 170,968
2019 4,609,941 172,243
2018 4,659,898 183,610
2017 4,706,183 187,993
2016 4,761,594 194,232
2015 4,823,045 201,815
2014 4,862,319 211,541
2013 4,811,751 221,021
2012 4,774,508 229,138
2011 4,728,363 224,461
2010 4,629,173 224,325
2009 4,528,149 200,175
2008 4,412,976 232,225
2007 4,265,428 248,287
2006 4,135,703 248,706
2005 4,013,788 248,683
2004 3,877,376 212,527
2003 3,751,120 252,008
2002 3,606,814 252,840
2001 3,478,370 244,377
2000 3,343,196 227,060
1999 3,155,425 206,876
1998 3,003,946 201,059
1997 2,936,500 208,193
1996 2,882,205 215,290
1995 2,830,771 221,957
1994 2,735,198 228,904
1993 2,673,675 226,257
1992 2,596,173 222,230
1991 2,527,807 218,117
1990 2,491,928 224,454
1989 2,452,324 212,401
1988 2,376,419 219,184
1987 2,322,397 226,414
1986 2,295,003 233,782
1985 2,289,784 247,836
1984 2,278,060 263,175
1983 2,292,089 277,768
1982 2,233,401 300,030
1981 2,179,884 328,096
1980 2,121,618 328,155
1979 2,074,807 329,791
1978 2,019,621 317,055
1977 1,923,917 300,038
1976 1,827,289 291,816
1975 1,718,623 282,496
1974 1,624,813 275,521
1973 1,525,485 278,577
1972 1,448,928 282,494
1971 1,373,896 281,200
1970 1,295,507 286,719
1969 1,213,484 286,218
1968 1,168,254 286,642
1967 1,082,884 284,738
1966 1,095,582 275,549
1965 1,061,840 272,422
1964 1,028,272 269,584
1963 995,116 262,880
1962 966,452 256,719
1961 932,111 251,087
1960 901,301 247,631

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | 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 +0.3% in Sri Lanka.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.29% in Nigeria and +0.75% in Sri Lanka.

Birth rate in Nigeria vs Sri Lanka by year

Nigeria
Sri Lanka

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2023 33 11.2
2022 33.2 12.4
2021 33.5 12.9
2020 33.7 13.8
2019 34.7 14.6
2018 35.7 15.2
2017 36.7 15.4
2016 37.8 15.7
2015 39 16
2014 39.9 16.5
2013 40.4 17
2012 41.1 17.1
2011 41.8 17.1
2010 42.1 17.1
2009 42.5 17.6
2008 42.8 18.2
2007 42.9 18.8
2006 43.2 18.9
2005 43.4 18.7
2004 43.5 18.8
2003 43.7 19.1
2002 43.8 19.2
2001 43.9 19
2000 43.9 18.4
1999 43.4 17.9
1998 43.2 17.8
1997 43.5 18.5
1996 43.9 19
1995 44.1 19.6
1994 44 20
1993 44.1 20
1992 44.2 20.1
1991 44.3 20.2
1990 44.5 20.5
1989 44.8 20.6
1988 44.7 20.3
1987 44.8 20.8
1986 45.3 21.4
1985 45.9 22.4
1984 46.5 23.5
1983 47.5 24.4
1982 47.5 26
1981 47.9 28.1
1980 48.3 28.6
1979 48.8 29.3
1978 49.3 29
1977 49.1 28.3
1976 49 28.3
1975 49 28.2
1974 48.7 28.2
1973 48.2 28.9
1972 48 29.7
1971 47.8 30.2
1970 47.4 31.2
1969 47.3 31.8
1968 47.2 32.6
1967 47.1 33.2
1966 47 33.2
1965 46.9 33.8
1964 46.9 34.5
1963 46.8 34.7
1962 46.7 35.1
1961 46.6 35.6
1960 46.5 36.3

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 33 in Nigeria and 11.2 in Sri Lanka, compared with 46.5 and 36.3, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Nigeria Sri Lanka
Fertility rate 4.48 1.97
Fertility rate rank 15/196 101/196
Birth rate 33 11.2
Birth rate rank 20/196 125/196
Population change due to births and deaths +4,834,309 +66,111
Natural population change rank 3/196 87/196
Natural population change rate +2.12% +0.3%
Population growth +2.1% -0.55%
Population growth rank 48/197 188/197
Age at first childbirth 20.4 years 25.6 years
Average age at childbearing 29.1 years 29.7 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 80.7 14.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 200.4 94.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 67.2 20.9
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 24% 25.1%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 18.2% 53.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 50.7% 99.5%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.99% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.37% 0.41%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 6.01% 0.53%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 10.5% 0.61%
Life expectancy 55 years 78 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Nigeria
Factual

UN forecast
Sri Lanka
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2100 20.4% 13.1%
2099 20.5% 13.1%
2098 20.6% 13.2%
2097 20.7% 13.2%
2096 20.8% 13.2%
2095 20.9% 13.3%
2094 21% 13.3%
2093 21.1% 13.4%
2092 21.2% 13.4%
2091 21.4% 13.5%
2090 21.5% 13.6%
2089 21.6% 13.7%
2088 21.8% 13.7%
2087 21.9% 13.8%
2086 22.1% 13.9%
2085 22.2% 14%
2084 22.4% 14%
2083 22.6% 14.1%
2082 22.7% 14.2%
2081 22.9% 14.3%
2080 23.1% 14.3%
2079 23.3% 14.4%
2078 23.5% 14.5%
2077 23.7% 14.5%
2076 23.9% 14.6%
2075 24.1% 14.6%
2074 24.3% 14.7%
2073 24.5% 14.7%
2072 24.7% 14.8%
2071 25% 14.9%
2070 25.2% 14.9%
2069 25.4% 15%
2068 25.7% 15%
2067 25.9% 15.1%
2066 26.1% 15.2%
2065 26.4% 15.3%
2064 26.6% 15.4%
2063 26.9% 15.5%
2062 27.2% 15.6%
2061 27.4% 15.7%
2060 27.7% 15.8%
2059 28% 16%
2058 28.3% 16.1%
2057 28.6% 16.3%
2056 29% 16.4%
2055 29.3% 16.6%
2054 29.6% 16.8%
2053 30% 16.9%
2052 30.3% 17.1%
2051 30.7% 17.2%
2050 31.1% 17.4%
2049 31.5% 17.5%
2048 31.8% 17.7%
2047 32.2% 17.8%
2046 32.6% 17.9%
2045 32.9% 18%
2044 33.3% 18.2%
2043 33.7% 18.3%
2042 34% 18.4%
2041 34.4% 18.5%
2040 34.7% 18.6%
2039 35% 18.7%
2038 35.4% 18.9%
2037 35.7% 19%
2036 36% 19.1%
2035 36.3% 19.3%
2034 36.6% 19.5%
2033 37% 19.7%
2032 37.4% 19.9%
2031 37.8% 20.1%
2030 38.3% 20.3%
2029 38.8% 20.6%
2028 39.3% 20.9%
2027 39.8% 21.2%
2026 40.3% 21.5%
2025 40.8% 21.9%
2024 41% 22%
2023 41.5% 22.4%
2022 42% 22.7%
2021 42.4% 23%
2020 42.8% 23.3%
2019 43.2% 23.7%
2018 43.6% 24%
2017 43.9% 24.2%
2016 44.1% 24.5%
2015 44.3% 24.7%
2014 44.4% 24.9%
2013 44.5% 25%
2012 44.5% 25.2%
2011 44.5% 25.3%
2010 44.4% 25.4%
2009 44.4% 25.5%
2008 44.3% 25.6%
2007 44.2% 25.7%
2006 44.1% 25.7%
2005 44% 25.8%
2004 43.9% 26%
2003 43.8% 26.1%
2002 43.8% 26.3%
2001 43.7% 26.6%
2000 43.7% 27%
1999 43.8% 27.4%
1998 43.9% 27.8%
1997 44.1% 28.2%
1996 44.2% 28.6%
1995 44.4% 29.2%
1994 44.6% 29.9%
1993 44.8% 30.6%
1992 45% 31.4%
1991 45.2% 32.1%
1990 45.3% 32.5%
1989 45.5% 33%
1988 45.5% 33.5%
1987 45.6% 34%
1986 45.6% 34.6%
1985 45.5% 35.2%
1984 45.4% 35.5%
1983 45.2% 35.8%
1982 45% 36%
1981 44.8% 36.2%
1980 44.6% 36.4%
1979 44.4% 36.7%
1978 44.2% 36.9%
1977 43.9% 37.2%
1976 43.7% 37.6%
1975 43.4% 38%
1974 43.2% 38.4%
1973 43% 38.8%
1972 42.8% 39.2%
1971 42.5% 39.5%
1970 42.4% 39.7%
1969 42.2% 39.9%
1968 42% 40.1%
1967 41.8% 40.3%
1966 41.7% 40.4%
1965 41.5% 40.5%
1964 41.4% 40.6%
1963 41.2% 40.7%
1962 41.1% 40.8%
1961 41.1% 40.9%
1960 41.1% 41%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 41% of the population in Nigeria and 22% in Sri Lanka in 2024, compared to 45.3% and 32.5% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Nigeria and Sri Lanka compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Nigeria vs Sri Lanka

Nigeria
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2023 993 18
2022 1,016 22
2021 1,046 34
2020 1,065 23
2019 1,091 20
2018 1,118 21
2017 1,142 21
2016 1,155 22
2015 1,168 22
2014 1,155 23
2013 1,146 23
2012 1,124 24
2011 1,108 25
2010 1,094 26
2009 1,088 28
2008 1,081 30
2007 1,063 31
2006 1,067 32
2005 1,060 32
2004 1,075 37
2003 1,090 35
2002 1,117 36
2001 1,130 37
2000 1,136 39
1999 1,165 41
1998 1,189 43
1997 1,184 45
1996 1,185 47
1995 1,186 48
1994 1,193 49
1993 1,200 51
1992 1,246 54
1991 1,282 57
1990 1,285 59
1989 1,304 61
1988 1,332 62
1987 1,351 64
1986 1,363 66
1985 1,344 68

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | 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 18 deaths in Sri Lanka.

Under-five mortality rates

Nigeria
Sri Lanka

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2023 10.5% 0.61%
2022 10.8% 0.64%
2021 11.1% 0.66%
2020 11.4% 0.69%
2019 11.8% 0.72%
2018 12% 0.76%
2017 12.3% 0.79%
2016 12.5% 0.83%
2015 12.6% 0.87%
2014 12.8% 0.92%
2013 12.9% 0.98%
2012 13.1% 1.03%
2011 13.3% 1.08%
2010 13.5% 1.12%
2009 13.8% 2.08%
2008 14.1% 1.2%
2007 14.5% 1.26%
2006 15% 1.33%
2005 15.5% 1.4%
2004 16% 2.88%
2003 16.5% 1.52%
2002 17.1% 1.55%
2001 17.7% 1.58%
2000 18.2% 1.63%
1999 18.8% 1.69%
1998 19.3% 1.76%
1997 19.7% 1.86%
1996 20.1% 1.95%
1995 20.4% 2.05%
1994 20.6% 2.14%
1993 20.7% 2.22%
1992 20.8% 2.29%
1991 20.9% 2.32%
1990 21% 2.33%
1989 21% 2.74%
1988 21% 2.41%
1987 20.9% 2.54%
1986 20.9% 2.74%
1985 20.8% 3.02%
1984 20.7% 3.35%
1983 20.7% 3.67%
1982 20.8% 3.98%
1981 21% 4.29%
1980 21.3% 4.63%
1979 21.8% 4.99%
1978 22.3% 5.38%
1977 22.9% 5.77%
1976 23.6% 6.12%
1975 24.4% 6.41%
1974 25.2% 6.62%
1973 26.1% 6.77%
1972 26.9% 6.86%
1971 27.7% 6.94%
1970 28.5% 7.02%
1969 29.3% 7.14%
1968 30% 7.32%
1967 30.7% 7.55%
1966 31.3% 7.81%
1965 32% 8.07%
1964 32.7% 8.3%
1963 - 8.48%
1962 - 8.66%
1961 - 8.95%
1960 - 9.41%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 10.5% in Nigeria and 0.61% in Sri Lanka. 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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