Skip to content

Fertility & birth rates in North Korea and Tajikistan

Updated on by Georank team

North Korea has an annual birth rate of 12.9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 26.1 for Tajikistan. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.78 in North Korea and 3.07 in Tajikistan — 72.6% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.1% in North Korea and by 50.7% in Tajikistan — in 1960, it was 3.57 and 6.24, respectively.

  • North Korea is ranked 109/196 by birth rate compared to 48/196 for Tajikistan.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.8 in North Korea — it's 26.4 in Tajikistan.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 0.51 in North Korea vs 40.4 in Tajikistan.
  • In North Korea, 23.3% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.5% in Tajikistan.

Fertility rate in North Korea vs Tajikistan by year

North Korea
Tajikistan
1x
Year Fertility rate
North Korea Tajikistan
2023 1.78 3.07
2022 1.8 3.13
2021 1.81 3.17
2020 1.82 3.21
2019 1.83 3.28
2018 1.83 3.29
2017 1.85 3.29
2016 1.86 3.38
2015 1.86 3.46
2014 1.87 3.46
2013 1.88 3.43
2012 1.88 3.42
2011 1.88 3.46
2010 1.89 3.46
2009 1.91 3.43
2008 1.97 3.39
2007 1.94 3.37
2006 1.94 3.34
2005 1.87 3.4
2004 1.9 3.51
2003 1.91 3.42
2002 1.92 3.47
2001 1.94 3.49
2000 1.94 3.49
1999 1.97 3.85
1998 1.99 4.07
1997 2.03 4.06
1996 2.09 3.94
1995 2.15 4.66
1994 2.18 4.79
1993 2.22 4.92
1992 2.29 5.06
1991 2.35 5.28
1990 2.39 5.46
1989 2.41 5.61
1988 2.47 5.75
1987 2.53 5.84
1986 2.59 5.91
1985 2.65 5.94
1984 2.71 5.96
1983 2.78 5.98
1982 2.85 6.03
1981 2.92 6.12
1980 2.84 6.21
1979 2.85 6.31
1978 2.79 6.4
1977 2.77 6.49
1976 2.84 6.6
1975 3.05 6.69
1974 3.14 6.77
1973 3.35 6.84
1972 3.89 6.89
1971 3.74 6.91
1970 3.85 6.91
1969 3.86 6.91
1968 3.87 6.91
1967 4.05 6.89
1966 3.71 6.82
1965 3.56 6.74
1964 3.55 6.68
1963 3.63 6.62
1962 3.41 6.48
1961 3.26 6.35
1960 3.57 6.24

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/north-korea/tajikistan | 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 3.07 in Tajikistan in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

North Korea
Tajikistan
1x
Year Natural population change
North Korea Tajikistan
2023 86,203 223,828
2022 96,495 228,336
2021 99,710 222,850
2020 95,920 219,467
2019 106,208 231,817
2018 113,164 228,597
2017 120,181 224,396
2016 125,048 228,547
2015 127,365 230,903
2014 127,078 227,304
2013 122,519 220,693
2012 118,773 213,078
2011 114,798 208,429
2010 112,443 201,389
2009 111,530 192,851
2008 122,015 182,337
2007 120,521 173,200
2006 129,171 164,046
2005 132,765 160,189
2004 155,838 161,201
2003 178,775 150,391
2002 119,504 146,492
2001 143,321 142,276
2000 161,591 136,549
1999 181,613 147,622
1998 197,589 153,508
1997 211,325 149,825
1996 226,095 138,287
1995 233,381 168,934
1994 320,861 167,590
1993 320,880 157,975
1992 324,002 163,652
1991 320,551 177,585
1990 312,460 178,429
1989 303,078 179,212
1988 299,305 172,805
1987 296,030 163,611
1986 293,227 155,987
1985 287,714 145,720
1984 282,987 139,145
1983 279,046 133,280
1982 276,332 127,838
1981 273,800 121,418
1980 255,206 117,888
1979 251,409 114,496
1978 243,533 110,564
1977 242,870 106,920
1976 255,841 103,777
1975 288,966 100,604
1974 306,902 97,481
1973 338,600 94,523
1972 411,997 91,677
1971 393,220 88,618
1970 406,129 85,645
1969 404,189 82,931
1968 399,837 80,698
1967 414,632 78,733
1966 363,882 76,702
1965 335,587 75,139
1964 323,623 74,030
1963 321,805 73,065
1962 286,534 70,700
1961 257,788 68,182
1960 277,717 65,415

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/north-korea/tajikistan | 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 +2.15% in Tajikistan.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.42% in North Korea and +2.42% in Tajikistan.

Birth rate in North Korea vs Tajikistan by year

North Korea
Tajikistan

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
North Korea Tajikistan
2023 12.9 26.1
2022 13.1 27
2021 13.3 27.7
2020 13.4 28.4
2019 13.4 29.2
2018 13.4 29.5
2017 13.5 29.7
2016 13.5 30.9
2015 13.4 32
2014 13.4 32.2
2013 13.4 32.1
2012 13.3 32
2011 13.3 32.2
2010 13.3 32
2009 13.4 31.4
2008 13.9 30.6
2007 13.9 29.9
2006 14 29.2
2005 13.9 29.3
2004 14.6 29.9
2003 15.3 29
2002 16.1 29.2
2001 16.9 29.3
2000 17.5 29.1
1999 18.3 31.6
1998 18.9 33.1
1997 19.4 32.9
1996 20 31.9
1995 20.3 37.7
1994 20.4 38.8
1993 20.4 39.7
1992 20.5 40.7
1991 20.6 41.9
1990 20.5 43.1
1989 20.2 44.1
1988 20.2 43.8
1987 20.3 43.1
1986 20.4 42.5
1985 20.4 41.6
1984 20.4 41.2
1983 20.5 40.9
1982 20.6 40.7
1981 20.8 40.7
1980 20.1 40.8
1979 20.2 40.9
1978 20.1 40.8
1977 20.4 40.9
1976 21.5 41.1
1975 23.9 41.3
1974 25.6 41.5
1973 28.2 41.7
1972 33.7 42
1971 33.4 42.1
1970 35.3 42.3
1969 36.2 42.5
1968 37.1 43
1967 39.3 43.6
1966 36.6 44.2
1965 35.4 45.1
1964 35.4 46.1
1963 36.1 47.1
1962 34 47.5
1961 32.3 47.7
1960 34.8 47.7

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 12.9 in North Korea and 26.1 in Tajikistan, compared with 34.8 and 47.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

North Korea Tajikistan
Fertility rate 1.78 3.07
Fertility rate rank 112/196 56/196
Birth rate 12.9 26.1
Birth rate rank 109/196 48/196
Population change due to births and deaths +86,203 +223,828
Natural population change rank 83/196 56/196
Natural population change rate +0.33% +2.15%
Population growth +0.31% +1.94%
Population growth rank 150/197 55/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 23.2 years
Average age at childbearing 28.8 years 26.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 0.49 38.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 120.2 203.7
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 13.5 26.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 23.3% 25.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 68.8% 27.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.5% 94.8%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.07% 0.01%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.96% 1.26%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 1.45% 2.29%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.8% 2.73%
Life expectancy 74 years 72.2 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

North Korea
Factual

UN forecast
Tajikistan
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
North Korea Tajikistan
2100 13% 17.4%
2099 13.1% 17.5%
2098 13.2% 17.6%
2097 13.3% 17.7%
2096 13.4% 17.9%
2095 13.4% 18%
2094 13.5% 18.1%
2093 13.6% 18.2%
2092 13.7% 18.3%
2091 13.8% 18.4%
2090 13.8% 18.6%
2089 13.8% 18.7%
2088 13.9% 18.9%
2087 13.9% 19%
2086 13.9% 19.2%
2085 13.8% 19.4%
2084 13.8% 19.6%
2083 13.8% 19.8%
2082 13.7% 20%
2081 13.7% 20.2%
2080 13.7% 20.4%
2079 13.6% 20.7%
2078 13.6% 20.9%
2077 13.6% 21.1%
2076 13.6% 21.3%
2075 13.7% 21.5%
2074 13.7% 21.7%
2073 13.8% 21.9%
2072 13.8% 22.1%
2071 14% 22.3%
2070 14.1% 22.4%
2069 14.2% 22.6%
2068 14.3% 22.7%
2067 14.5% 22.9%
2066 14.6% 23%
2065 14.8% 23.2%
2064 14.9% 23.4%
2063 15% 23.6%
2062 15.1% 23.8%
2061 15.2% 24.1%
2060 15.3% 24.3%
2059 15.4% 24.6%
2058 15.4% 24.9%
2057 15.4% 25.3%
2056 15.4% 25.6%
2055 15.4% 26%
2054 15.4% 26.3%
2053 15.3% 26.7%
2052 15.3% 27%
2051 15.2% 27.4%
2050 15.2% 27.7%
2049 15.2% 28%
2048 15.2% 28.3%
2047 15.2% 28.5%
2046 15.3% 28.6%
2045 15.3% 28.8%
2044 15.5% 28.9%
2043 15.6% 29%
2042 15.8% 29.2%
2041 16% 29.3%
2040 16.2% 29.5%
2039 16.5% 29.7%
2038 16.7% 29.9%
2037 17% 30.2%
2036 17.2% 30.6%
2035 17.5% 31%
2034 17.8% 31.4%
2033 18% 31.8%
2032 18.2% 32.3%
2031 18.4% 32.8%
2030 18.6% 33.5%
2029 18.7% 34.2%
2028 18.8% 34.8%
2027 18.9% 35.2%
2026 18.9% 35.6%
2025 18.9% 36.1%
2024 18.9% 36.3%
2023 19% 36.5%
2022 19% 36.6%
2021 19.1% 36.6%
2020 19.1% 36.4%
2019 19.1% 36.3%
2018 19.2% 36.2%
2017 19.4% 36.2%
2016 19.6% 36.3%
2015 19.8% 36.3%
2014 20.1% 36.4%
2013 20.4% 36.5%
2012 20.8% 36.7%
2011 21.2% 36.7%
2010 21.6% 36.8%
2009 22.1% 37%
2008 22.5% 37.3%
2007 23% 37.6%
2006 23.4% 38%
2005 23.9% 38.6%
2004 24.3% 39.3%
2003 24.6% 39.9%
2002 25% 40.7%
2001 25.3% 41.5%
2000 25.6% 42.3%
1999 25.8% 43%
1998 26% 43.7%
1997 26.2% 44.3%
1996 26.3% 44.7%
1995 26.4% 44.9%
1994 26.4% 44.8%
1993 26.4% 44.6%
1992 26.3% 44.3%
1991 26.4% 44%
1990 26.5% 43.7%
1989 26.8% 43.4%
1988 27.3% 43.2%
1987 28% 43.1%
1986 29% 43.1%
1985 29.9% 43.3%
1984 30.9% 43.3%
1983 32% 43.3%
1982 33.1% 43.2%
1981 34.2% 43.2%
1980 35.1% 43.2%
1979 36% 43.2%
1978 36.9% 43.4%
1977 37.7% 43.6%
1976 38.3% 43.8%
1975 38.8% 44%
1974 39.3% 44.2%
1973 39.8% 44.3%
1972 40.2% 44.4%
1971 40.3% 44.5%
1970 40.1% 44.6%
1969 39.8% 44.6%
1968 39.2% 44.7%
1967 38.3% 44.7%
1966 37.3% 44.6%
1965 36.7% 44.4%
1964 36.6% 44.1%
1963 36.5% 43.4%
1962 36.6% 42.5%
1961 37% 41.4%
1960 37.5% 40.2%

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/tajikistan | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 18.9% of the population in North Korea and 36.3% in Tajikistan in 2024, compared to 26.5% and 43.7% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of North Korea and Tajikistan compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: North Korea vs Tajikistan

North Korea
Tajikistan
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
North Korea Tajikistan
2023 67 14
2022 67 14
2021 72 25
2020 66 25
2019 66 16
2018 69 16
2017 70 17
2016 71 20
2015 72 20
2014 73 21
2013 75 21
2012 76 23
2011 76 25
2010 77 26
2009 78 29
2008 79 29
2007 80 30
2006 80 35
2005 78 36
2004 77 36
2003 76 39
2002 131 48
2001 130 58
2000 129 58
1999 129 64
1998 129 72
1997 128 76
1996 128 82
1995 127 81
1994 57 85
1993 46 84
1992 37 84
1991 38 79
1990 43 80
1989 49 85
1988 55 83
1987 62 91
1986 68 91
1985 76 98

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/north-korea/tajikistan | 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 14 deaths in Tajikistan.

Under-five mortality rates

North Korea
Tajikistan

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
North Korea Tajikistan
2023 1.8% 2.73%
2022 1.77% 2.77%
2021 1.74% 2.79%
2020 1.74% 2.8%
2019 1.77% 2.81%
2018 1.84% 2.83%
2017 1.91% 2.88%
2016 2.06% 2.94%
2015 2.14% 3.02%
2014 2.26% 3.12%
2013 2.41% 3.23%
2012 2.57% 3.36%
2011 2.72% 3.52%
2010 2.87% 3.7%
2009 3% 3.92%
2008 3.1% 4.17%
2007 3.24% 4.47%
2006 3.28% 4.82%
2005 3.33% 5.22%
2004 3.38% 5.67%
2003 3.45% 6.18%
2002 9.78% 6.75%
2001 9.9% 7.34%
2000 10% 7.97%
1999 10.2% 8.62%
1998 10.3% 9.26%
1997 10.5% 9.86%
1996 10.6% 10.4%
1995 10.8% 10.8%
1994 4.25% 11%
1993 4.27% 10.9%
1992 4.25% 10.6%
1991 4.18% 10.2%
1990 4.07% 9.92%
1989 3.95% 9.88%
1988 3.83% 10.1%
1987 3.78% 10.5%
1986 3.68% 11.1%
1985 3.68% 11.6%
1984 3.71% 12%
1983 3.8% 12.3%
1982 3.91% 12.5%
1981 4.05% 12.6%
1980 4.22% 12.7%
1979 4.4% 12.8%
1978 4.59% 13%
1977 4.8% 13.2%
1976 5.03% 13.5%
1975 5.28% 14%
1974 5.56% 14.4%
1973 5.86% 15%
1972 6.2% 15.5%
1971 6.58% -
1970 6.99% -
1969 7.45% -
1968 7.94% -
1967 8.45% -
1966 8.96% -
1965 9.46% -
1964 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/north-korea/tajikistan | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.8% in North Korea and 2.73% in Tajikistan. Above is a chart with historical data on under-five mortality rates.

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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) (2017, retrieved 2026-03-10)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.