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Fertility & birth rates in North Korea and Romania

Updated on by Georank team

North Korea has an annual birth rate of 12.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 8 for Romania. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.78 in North Korea and 1.71 in Romania — 3.93% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.1% in North Korea and by 26.9% in Romania — in 1960, it was 3.57 and 2.34, respectively.

  • North Korea is ranked 109/196 by birth rate compared to 177/196 for Romania.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.8 in North Korea — it's 28.5 in Romania.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 0.51 in North Korea vs 33.8 in Romania.
  • In North Korea, 23.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.4% in Romania.

Fertility rate in North Korea vs Romania by year

North Korea
Romania
1x
Year Fertility rate
North Korea Romania
2023 1.78 1.71
2022 1.8 1.71
2021 1.81 1.81
2020 1.82 1.8
2019 1.83 1.77
2018 1.83 1.76
2017 1.85 1.78
2016 1.86 1.69
2015 1.86 1.62
2014 1.87 1.56
2013 1.88 1.46
2012 1.88 1.52
2011 1.88 1.47
2010 1.89 1.59
2009 1.91 1.66
2008 1.97 1.6
2007 1.94 1.45
2006 1.94 1.42
2005 1.87 1.4
2004 1.9 1.33
2003 1.91 1.3
2002 1.92 1.27
2001 1.94 1.27
2000 1.94 1.31
1999 1.97 1.3
1998 1.99 1.32
1997 2.03 1.32
1996 2.09 1.3
1995 2.15 1.33
1994 2.18 1.4
1993 2.22 1.43
1992 2.29 1.51
1991 2.35 1.59
1990 2.39 1.83
1989 2.41 2.22
1988 2.47 2.3
1987 2.53 2.38
1986 2.59 2.39
1985 2.65 2.31
1984 2.71 2.26
1983 2.78 2.06
1982 2.85 2.17
1981 2.92 2.36
1980 2.84 2.43
1979 2.85 2.49
1978 2.79 2.52
1977 2.77 2.57
1976 2.84 2.54
1975 3.05 2.59
1974 3.14 2.71
1973 3.35 2.44
1972 3.89 2.55
1971 3.74 2.67
1970 3.85 2.89
1969 3.86 3.19
1968 3.87 3.63
1967 4.05 3.66
1966 3.71 1.9
1965 3.56 1.91
1964 3.55 1.96
1963 3.63 2.01
1962 3.41 2.04
1961 3.26 2.17
1960 3.57 2.34

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in North Korea was 1.78 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.71 in Romania in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

North Korea
Romania
1x
Year Natural population change
North Korea Romania
2023 86,203 -89,587
2022 96,495 -93,338
2021 99,710 -141,504
2020 95,920 -100,179
2019 106,208 -60,053
2018 113,164 -62,316
2017 120,181 -50,930
2016 125,048 -53,196
2015 127,365 -59,447
2014 127,078 -55,745
2013 122,519 -59,951
2012 118,773 -54,157
2011 114,798 -56,413
2010 112,443 -46,567
2009 111,530 -34,625
2008 122,015 -30,806
2007 120,521 -37,590
2006 129,171 -38,148
2005 132,765 -40,508
2004 155,838 -42,904
2003 178,775 -56,093
2002 119,504 -58,673
2001 143,321 -37,625
2000 161,591 -22,443
1999 181,613 -31,461
1998 197,589 -33,761
1997 211,325 -42,853
1996 226,095 -56,548
1995 233,381 -36,295
1994 320,861 -18,184
1993 320,880 -13,658
1992 324,002 -4,559
1991 320,551 25,301
1990 312,460 69,605
1989 303,078 122,756
1988 299,305 126,817
1987 296,030 128,517
1986 293,227 134,737
1985 287,714 111,392
1984 282,987 117,731
1983 279,046 87,986
1982 276,332 119,121
1981 273,800 156,472
1980 255,206 168,776
1979 251,409 194,397
1978 243,533 204,148
1977 242,870 215,385
1976 255,841 213,361
1975 288,966 219,324
1974 306,902 235,530
1973 338,600 175,020
1972 411,997 198,316
1971 393,220 206,662
1970 406,129 234,905
1969 404,189 264,120
1968 399,837 338,577
1967 414,632 347,709
1966 363,882 115,293
1965 335,587 114,190
1964 323,623 134,326
1963 321,805 139,104
1962 286,534 130,736
1961 257,788 163,286
1960 277,717 191,431

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/north-korea/romania | 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 +0.33% in North Korea and -0.47% in Romania.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.42% in North Korea and -0.4% in Romania.

Birth rate in North Korea vs Romania by year

North Korea
Romania

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
North Korea Romania
2023 12.9 8
2022 13.1 9.4
2021 13.3 10.1
2020 13.4 10.3
2019 13.4 10.3
2018 13.4 10.4
2017 13.5 10.8
2016 13.5 10.4
2015 13.4 10.2
2014 13.4 10
2013 13.4 9.4
2012 13.3 10
2011 13.3 9.7
2010 13.3 10.5
2009 13.4 10.9
2008 13.9 10.8
2007 13.9 10.3
2006 14 10.4
2005 13.9 10.4
2004 14.6 10.1
2003 15.3 9.8
2002 16.1 9.7
2001 16.9 10
2000 17.5 10.4
1999 18.3 10.4
1998 18.9 10.5
1997 19.4 10.5
1996 20 10.2
1995 20.3 10.4
1994 20.4 10.9
1993 20.4 11
1992 20.5 11.4
1991 20.6 12
1990 20.5 13.6
1989 20.2 16
1988 20.2 16.5
1987 20.3 16.7
1986 20.4 16.5
1985 20.4 15.8
1984 20.4 15.5
1983 20.5 14.3
1982 20.6 15.3
1981 20.8 17
1980 20.1 18
1979 20.2 18.6
1978 20.1 19
1977 20.4 19.5
1976 21.5 19.4
1975 23.9 19.6
1974 25.6 20.3
1973 28.2 18.2
1972 33.7 18.8
1971 33.4 19.6
1970 35.3 21.1
1969 36.2 23.3
1968 37.1 26.6
1967 39.3 27
1966 36.6 14.2
1965 35.4 14.6
1964 35.4 15.2
1963 36.1 15.7
1962 34 16.2
1961 32.3 17.5
1960 34.8 19.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 12.9 in North Korea and 8 in Romania, compared with 34.8 and 19.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

North Korea Romania
Fertility rate 1.78 1.71
Fertility rate rank 112/196 119/196
Birth rate 12.9 8
Birth rate rank 109/196 177/196
Population change due to births and deaths +86,203 -89,587
Natural population change rank 83/196 188/196
Natural population change rate +0.33% -0.47%
Population growth +0.31% -0.05%
Population growth rank 150/197 169/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 27.1 years
Average age at childbearing 28.8 years 28.5 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 0.49 30.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 120.2 85.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 13.5 11
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.3% 21.4%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 68.8% 50.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.5% 93%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.01%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.96% 0.33%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 1.45% 0.54%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.8% 0.66%
Life expectancy 74 years 76.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
Romania
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
North Korea Romania
2100 13% 12.8%
2099 13.1% 12.8%
2098 13.2% 12.8%
2097 13.3% 12.9%
2096 13.4% 12.9%
2095 13.4% 13%
2094 13.5% 13.1%
2093 13.6% 13.1%
2092 13.7% 13.2%
2091 13.8% 13.2%
2090 13.8% 13.3%
2089 13.8% 13.4%
2088 13.9% 13.4%
2087 13.9% 13.5%
2086 13.9% 13.5%
2085 13.8% 13.5%
2084 13.8% 13.6%
2083 13.8% 13.6%
2082 13.7% 13.6%
2081 13.7% 13.6%
2080 13.7% 13.6%
2079 13.6% 13.6%
2078 13.6% 13.6%
2077 13.6% 13.6%
2076 13.6% 13.6%
2075 13.7% 13.6%
2074 13.7% 13.6%
2073 13.8% 13.6%
2072 13.8% 13.6%
2071 14% 13.6%
2070 14.1% 13.6%
2069 14.2% 13.6%
2068 14.3% 13.6%
2067 14.5% 13.6%
2066 14.6% 13.7%
2065 14.8% 13.7%
2064 14.9% 13.8%
2063 15% 13.8%
2062 15.1% 13.9%
2061 15.2% 13.9%
2060 15.3% 14%
2059 15.4% 14.1%
2058 15.4% 14.1%
2057 15.4% 14.2%
2056 15.4% 14.3%
2055 15.4% 14.3%
2054 15.4% 14.4%
2053 15.3% 14.4%
2052 15.3% 14.4%
2051 15.2% 14.4%
2050 15.2% 14.4%
2049 15.2% 14.4%
2048 15.2% 14.4%
2047 15.2% 14.4%
2046 15.3% 14.4%
2045 15.3% 14.3%
2044 15.5% 14.3%
2043 15.6% 14.3%
2042 15.8% 14.3%
2041 16% 14.2%
2040 16.2% 14.2%
2039 16.5% 14.2%
2038 16.7% 14.3%
2037 17% 14.3%
2036 17.2% 14.3%
2035 17.5% 14.4%
2034 17.8% 14.5%
2033 18% 14.6%
2032 18.2% 14.8%
2031 18.4% 15%
2030 18.6% 15.1%
2029 18.7% 15.2%
2028 18.8% 15.3%
2027 18.9% 15.4%
2026 18.9% 15.5%
2025 18.9% 15.6%
2024 18.9% 15.7%
2023 19% 15.9%
2022 19% 16%
2021 19.1% 16.1%
2020 19.1% 16.1%
2019 19.1% 16%
2018 19.2% 15.9%
2017 19.4% 15.8%
2016 19.6% 15.7%
2015 19.8% 15.7%
2014 20.1% 15.7%
2013 20.4% 15.7%
2012 20.8% 15.7%
2011 21.2% 15.8%
2010 21.6% 15.7%
2009 22.1% 15.7%
2008 22.5% 15.7%
2007 23% 15.7%
2006 23.4% 15.8%
2005 23.9% 16%
2004 24.3% 16.4%
2003 24.6% 16.9%
2002 25% 17.5%
2001 25.3% 18.1%
2000 25.6% 18.6%
1999 25.8% 19.1%
1998 26% 19.3%
1997 26.2% 19.6%
1996 26.3% 20%
1995 26.4% 20.5%
1994 26.4% 21%
1993 26.4% 21.6%
1992 26.3% 22.2%
1991 26.4% 22.8%
1990 26.5% 23.3%
1989 26.8% 23.7%
1988 27.3% 23.9%
1987 28% 24%
1986 29% 24.3%
1985 29.9% 24.6%
1984 30.9% 25.1%
1983 32% 25.9%
1982 33.1% 26.8%
1981 34.2% 27.1%
1980 35.1% 26.8%
1979 36% 26.5%
1978 36.9% 26.3%
1977 37.7% 26%
1976 38.3% 25.7%
1975 38.8% 25.3%
1974 39.3% 25.1%
1973 39.8% 24.9%
1972 40.2% 24.9%
1971 40.3% 24.9%
1970 40.1% 25.1%
1969 39.8% 25.1%
1968 39.2% 25.1%
1967 38.3% 25%
1966 37.3% 25.2%
1965 36.7% 26%
1964 36.6% 26.7%
1963 36.5% 27.3%
1962 36.6% 27.7%
1961 37% 28%
1960 37.5% 28.1%

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/north-korea/romania | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.9% of the population in North Korea and 15.7% in Romania in 2024, compared to 26.5% and 23.3% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of North Korea and Romania compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: North Korea vs Romania

North Korea
Romania
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
North Korea Romania
2023 67 12
2022 67 13
2021 72 20
2020 66 16
2019 66 14
2018 69 15
2017 70 17
2016 71 17
2015 72 18
2014 73 18
2013 75 18
2012 76 19
2011 76 20
2010 77 23
2009 78 25
2008 79 25
2007 80 25
2006 80 27
2005 78 30
2004 77 32
2003 76 35
2002 131 38
2001 130 41
2000 129 45
1999 129 51
1998 129 58
1997 128 66
1996 128 72
1995 127 75
1994 57 80
1993 46 87
1992 37 95
1991 38 104
1990 43 118
1989 49 143
1988 55 159
1987 62 173
1986 68 180
1985 76 184

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 67 deaths per 100,000 live births in North Korea, compared to 12 deaths in Romania.

Under-five mortality rates

North Korea
Romania

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
North Korea Romania
2023 1.8% 0.66%
2022 1.77% 0.66%
2021 1.74% 0.65%
2020 1.74% 0.66%
2019 1.77% 0.68%
2018 1.84% 0.73%
2017 1.91% 0.79%
2016 2.06% 0.85%
2015 2.14% 0.92%
2014 2.26% 0.99%
2013 2.41% 1.05%
2012 2.57% 1.12%
2011 2.72% 1.18%
2010 2.87% 1.24%
2009 3% 1.31%
2008 3.1% 1.4%
2007 3.24% 1.51%
2006 3.28% 1.66%
2005 3.33% 1.82%
2004 3.38% 1.94%
2003 3.45% 1.99%
2002 9.78% 2.01%
2001 9.9% 2.06%
2000 10% 2.16%
1999 10.2% 2.29%
1998 10.3% 2.44%
1997 10.5% 2.58%
1996 10.6% 2.68%
1995 10.8% 2.73%
1994 4.25% 2.76%
1993 4.27% 2.79%
1992 4.25% 2.84%
1991 4.18% 2.97%
1990 4.07% 3.14%
1989 3.95% 3.31%
1988 3.83% 3.43%
1987 3.78% 3.45%
1986 3.68% 3.33%
1985 3.68% 3.16%
1984 3.71% 3.08%
1983 3.8% 3.14%
1982 3.91% 3.28%
1981 4.05% 3.44%
1980 4.22% 3.57%
1979 4.4% 3.68%
1978 4.59% 3.76%
1977 4.8% 3.86%
1976 5.03% 4.05%
1975 5.28% 4.27%
1974 5.56% 4.43%
1973 5.86% 4.49%
1972 6.2% 4.64%
1971 6.58% 5.06%
1970 6.99% 5.69%
1969 7.45% 6.23%
1968 7.94% 6.44%
1967 8.45% 6.27%
1966 8.96% 5.83%
1965 9.46% 5.44%
1964 9.92% 5.45%
1963 10.4% 6.03%
1962 10.8% 6.98%
1961 11.2% 7.98%
1960 11.6% 8.82%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.8% in North Korea and 0.66% in Romania. 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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