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Fertility & birth rates in Norway and Papua New Guinea

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has an annual birth rate of 9.4 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 1.4 in Norway and 3.1 in Papua New Guinea — 121.4% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.9% in Norway and by 48.5% in Papua New Guinea — in 1960, it was 2.85 and 6.02, respectively.

  • Norway is ranked 156/196 by birth rate compared to 55/196 for Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 30.1 years in Norway, compared to 21.9 years in Papua New Guinea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.8 in Norway — 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 1.41 in Norway vs 54.1 in Papua New Guinea.
  • In Norway, 22.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.9% in Papua New Guinea.

Fertility rate in Norway vs Papua New Guinea by year

Norway
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Norway Papua New Guinea
2023 1.4 3.1
2022 1.41 3.17
2021 1.55 3.22
2020 1.48 3.27
2019 1.53 3.32
2018 1.56 3.38
2017 1.62 3.43
2016 1.71 3.5
2015 1.72 3.56
2014 1.75 3.63
2013 1.78 3.68
2012 1.85 3.75
2011 1.88 3.82
2010 1.95 3.88
2009 1.98 3.94
2008 1.96 4.01
2007 1.9 4.08
2006 1.9 4.15
2005 1.84 4.22
2004 1.83 4.28
2003 1.8 4.36
2002 1.75 4.42
2001 1.78 4.47
2000 1.85 4.53
1999 1.85 4.59
1998 1.81 4.63
1997 1.86 4.68
1996 1.89 4.73
1995 1.87 4.78
1994 1.87 4.87
1993 1.86 4.96
1992 1.88 5.03
1991 1.92 5.11
1990 1.93 5.18
1989 1.89 5.24
1988 1.84 5.3
1987 1.74 5.36
1986 1.71 5.42
1985 1.68 5.47
1984 1.66 5.51
1983 1.66 5.56
1982 1.71 5.59
1981 1.7 5.65
1980 1.72 5.71
1979 1.75 5.79
1978 1.77 5.88
1977 1.75 5.96
1976 1.86 6.02
1975 1.98 6.07
1974 2.13 6.11
1973 2.23 6.16
1972 2.38 6.2
1971 2.49 6.23
1970 2.5 6.25
1969 2.7 6.26
1968 2.75 6.25
1967 2.81 6.24
1966 2.9 6.23
1965 2.94 6.2
1964 2.98 6.19
1963 2.93 6.15
1962 2.91 6.14
1961 2.94 6.07
1960 2.85 6.02

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Norway was 1.4 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 Norway vs Papua New Guinea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Norway
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Natural population change
Norway Papua New Guinea
2023 8,280 187,637
2022 5,457 186,861
2021 14,062 183,766
2020 12,372 189,130
2019 13,904 190,662
2018 14,342 190,662
2017 15,831 189,715
2016 17,797 189,281
2015 18,160 188,600
2014 18,494 187,592
2013 17,779 185,790
2012 18,066 183,658
2011 18,822 181,842
2010 20,046 178,998
2009 20,280 175,421
2008 19,073 172,823
2007 16,482 169,306
2006 17,244 166,540
2005 15,719 163,888
2004 15,612 161,023
2003 14,151 158,611
2002 10,892 155,091
2001 13,090 151,431
2000 15,269 147,496
1999 14,278 143,592
1998 14,181 136,677
1997 15,418 134,458
1996 17,087 129,802
1995 14,821 125,410
1994 16,045 122,113
1993 12,936 118,668
1992 15,431 114,818
1991 16,194 111,453
1990 14,845 110,033
1989 13,949 108,199
1988 12,207 106,256
1987 9,212 104,367
1986 8,751 102,346
1985 6,644 100,333
1984 7,452 98,103
1983 7,844 95,982
1982 9,875 93,522
1981 9,020 91,767
1980 9,806 90,266
1979 10,181 89,330
1978 11,364 88,747
1977 11,321 87,954
1976 13,286 86,965
1975 16,430 85,809
1974 20,324 84,829
1973 21,387 83,821
1972 24,777 82,672
1971 26,541 80,599
1970 25,968 78,712
1969 28,858 76,454
1968 29,387 73,983
1967 30,276 71,519
1966 31,150 69,206
1965 31,275 66,693
1964 30,293 64,558
1963 26,766 62,260
1962 28,020 59,974
1961 29,239 58,151
1960 29,366 56,326

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/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 +0.15% in Norway and +1.81% in Papua New Guinea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.26% in Norway and +2% in Papua New Guinea.

Birth rate in Norway vs Papua New Guinea by year

Norway
Papua New Guinea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Norway Papua New Guinea
2023 9.4 24.6
2022 9.4 25.2
2021 10.4 25.6
2020 9.8 26.1
2019 10.2 26.5
2018 10.4 27
2017 10.7 27.4
2016 11.2 27.9
2015 11.3 28.4
2014 11.5 28.9
2013 11.6 29.4
2012 12 29.8
2011 12.2 30.3
2010 12.6 30.7
2009 12.8 31.1
2008 12.7 31.5
2007 12.4 31.9
2006 12.6 32.4
2005 12.3 32.8
2004 12.4 33.2
2003 12.4 33.7
2002 12.2 34
2001 12.6 34.2
2000 13.2 34.4
1999 13.3 34.7
1998 13.2 34.8
1997 13.6 34.8
1996 13.9 34.9
1995 13.8 35
1994 13.9 35.3
1993 13.8 35.6
1992 14 35.8
1991 14.3 36.1
1990 14.4 36.7
1989 14 37.1
1988 13.7 37.3
1987 12.9 37.4
1986 12.6 37.5
1985 12.3 37.7
1984 12.1 37.7
1983 12.1 37.8
1982 12.5 37.7
1981 12.4 37.9
1980 12.5 38.1
1979 12.7 38.7
1978 12.8 39.3
1977 12.6 39.9
1976 13.3 40.5
1975 14.1 41.1
1974 15 41.8
1973 15.5 42.6
1972 16.3 43.3
1971 16.8 43.7
1970 16.7 44
1969 17.6 44.2
1968 17.6 44.4
1967 17.6 44.5
1966 17.9 44.6
1965 17.8 44.6
1964 17.7 44.7
1963 17.3 44.7
1962 17.1 44.9
1961 17.3 44.9
1960 17.3 45.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Norway and 24.6 in Papua New Guinea, compared with 17.3 and 45.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Norway Papua New Guinea
Fertility rate 1.4 3.1
Fertility rate rank 162/196 55/196
Birth rate 9.4 24.6
Birth rate rank 156/196 55/196
Population change due to births and deaths +8,280 +187,637
Natural population change rank 118/196 63/196
Natural population change rate +0.15% +1.81%
Population growth +0.95% +1.8%
Population growth rank 105/197 59/197
Age at first childbirth 30.1 years 21.9 years
Average age at childbearing 31.8 years 29.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.11 52.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 52.1 144.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.7 46.2
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.4% 25.9%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 69.2% 30.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.2% 56.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.001% 0.19%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.13% 2.05%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.19% 3.2%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.24% 4.03%
Life expectancy 83.8 years 66.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Norway
Factual

UN forecast
Papua New Guinea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Norway Papua New Guinea
2100 12.8% 19%
2099 12.8% 19.1%
2098 12.8% 19.2%
2097 12.8% 19.3%
2096 12.8% 19.4%
2095 12.9% 19.5%
2094 12.9% 19.6%
2093 12.9% 19.7%
2092 12.9% 19.8%
2091 13% 19.9%
2090 13% 20%
2089 13% 20.1%
2088 13% 20.2%
2087 13% 20.4%
2086 13.1% 20.5%
2085 13.1% 20.6%
2084 13.1% 20.7%
2083 13.1% 20.8%
2082 13.1% 20.9%
2081 13.1% 21%
2080 13% 21.2%
2079 13% 21.3%
2078 13% 21.4%
2077 13% 21.5%
2076 13% 21.7%
2075 13% 21.8%
2074 12.9% 21.9%
2073 12.9% 22.1%
2072 12.9% 22.2%
2071 12.9% 22.4%
2070 12.9% 22.5%
2069 12.9% 22.7%
2068 12.9% 22.8%
2067 13% 23%
2066 13% 23.2%
2065 13% 23.3%
2064 13.1% 23.5%
2063 13.1% 23.7%
2062 13.2% 23.9%
2061 13.2% 24.1%
2060 13.3% 24.3%
2059 13.4% 24.5%
2058 13.4% 24.6%
2057 13.5% 24.8%
2056 13.6% 25%
2055 13.6% 25.2%
2054 13.7% 25.4%
2053 13.8% 25.6%
2052 13.8% 25.8%
2051 13.8% 26%
2050 13.9% 26.2%
2049 13.9% 26.4%
2048 13.9% 26.6%
2047 13.9% 26.8%
2046 13.9% 27%
2045 13.9% 27.2%
2044 13.9% 27.4%
2043 13.9% 27.6%
2042 13.9% 27.9%
2041 13.9% 28.1%
2040 14% 28.4%
2039 14% 28.7%
2038 14% 28.9%
2037 14% 29.2%
2036 14.1% 29.6%
2035 14.2% 29.9%
2034 14.3% 30.2%
2033 14.4% 30.6%
2032 14.6% 30.9%
2031 14.7% 31.2%
2030 14.9% 31.6%
2029 15.1% 31.9%
2028 15.3% 32.3%
2027 15.6% 32.6%
2026 15.8% 33%
2025 16.1% 33.3%
2024 16.2% 33.5%
2023 16.5% 33.8%
2022 16.8% 34.1%
2021 17% 34.4%
2020 17.2% 34.7%
2019 17.4% 35%
2018 17.6% 35.3%
2017 17.8% 35.6%
2016 17.9% 35.9%
2015 18% 36.2%
2014 18.1% 36.5%
2013 18.3% 36.7%
2012 18.4% 37%
2011 18.6% 37.2%
2010 18.8% 37.5%
2009 18.9% 37.7%
2008 19.1% 38%
2007 19.3% 38.3%
2006 19.4% 38.5%
2005 19.6% 38.8%
2004 19.8% 39%
2003 19.9% 39.3%
2002 20% 39.5%
2001 20% 39.8%
2000 20% 40%
1999 19.9% 40.2%
1998 19.8% 40.4%
1997 19.7% 40.6%
1996 19.6% 40.8%
1995 19.5% 41%
1994 19.4% 41.2%
1993 19.3% 41.5%
1992 19.1% 41.7%
1991 19% 41.9%
1990 18.9% 42.1%
1989 19% 42.3%
1988 19.1% 42.4%
1987 19.3% 42.4%
1986 19.6% 42.5%
1985 20% 42.6%
1984 20.4% 42.8%
1983 20.9% 42.9%
1982 21.3% 43%
1981 21.8% 43.2%
1980 22.2% 43.5%
1979 22.6% 44%
1978 22.9% 44.4%
1977 23.3% 44.9%
1976 23.5% 45.2%
1975 23.8% 45.5%
1974 24% 45.8%
1973 24.2% 45.9%
1972 24.3% 46%
1971 24.4% 46%
1970 24.5% 45.8%
1969 24.5% 45.6%
1968 24.6% 45.3%
1967 24.7% 45.1%
1966 24.7% 44.9%
1965 24.8% 44.6%
1964 24.8% 44.4%
1963 25% 44.2%
1962 25.2% 43.9%
1961 25.6% 43.7%
1960 25.9% 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/norway/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16.2% of the population in Norway and 33.5% in Papua New Guinea in 2024, compared to 18.9% and 42.1% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Norway 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/norway/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Norway vs Papua New Guinea

Norway
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Norway Papua New Guinea
2023 1 189
2022 3 189
2021 2 223
2020 2 194
2019 2 199
2018 2 205
2017 2 207
2016 2 214
2015 2 221
2014 2 232
2013 3 243
2012 3 257
2011 4 271
2010 4 289
2009 4 302
2008 5 315
2007 5 326
2006 5 325
2005 6 326
2004 6 326
2003 5 328
2002 5 329
2001 5 325
2000 5 323
1999 5 321
1998 5 325
1997 5 316
1996 6 316
1995 6 318
1994 7 324
1993 7 333
1992 8 340
1991 8 354
1990 9 360
1989 9 369
1988 9 377
1987 9 379
1986 9 386
1985 9 393

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/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 1 deaths per 100,000 live births in Norway, compared to 189 deaths in Papua New Guinea.

Under-five mortality rates

Norway
Papua New Guinea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Norway Papua New Guinea
2023 0.24% 4.03%
2022 0.23% 4.17%
2021 0.23% 4.31%
2020 0.24% 4.45%
2019 0.24% 4.59%
2018 0.25% 4.72%
2017 0.25% 4.87%
2016 0.26% 5.02%
2015 0.27% 5.17%
2014 0.28% 5.3%
2013 0.29% 5.44%
2012 0.3% 5.59%
2011 0.31% 5.73%
2010 0.33% 5.88%
2009 0.34% 6.02%
2008 0.36% 6.16%
2007 0.37% 6.31%
2006 0.39% 6.44%
2005 0.41% 6.58%
2004 0.42% 6.71%
2003 0.44% 6.84%
2002 0.46% 6.96%
2001 0.47% 7.08%
2000 0.49% 7.19%
1999 0.5% 7.3%
1998 0.51% 7.41%
1997 0.52% 7.52%
1996 0.54% 7.64%
1995 0.57% 7.77%
1994 0.61% 7.89%
1993 0.66% 8.03%
1992 0.72% 8.17%
1991 0.79% 8.31%
1990 0.87% 8.47%
1989 0.93% 8.63%
1988 0.98% 8.78%
1987 1.01% 8.96%
1986 1.02% 9.12%
1985 1.02% 9.3%
1984 1.01% 9.5%
1983 1% 9.71%
1982 0.99% 9.94%
1981 0.99% 10.2%
1980 1.01% 10.4%
1979 1.04% 10.7%
1978 1.09% 11%
1977 1.15% 11.3%
1976 1.22% 11.7%
1975 1.29% 12.1%
1974 1.36% 12.4%
1973 1.43% 12.9%
1972 1.5% 13.3%
1971 1.56% 13.7%
1970 1.62% 14.2%
1969 1.69% 14.7%
1968 1.75% 15.2%
1967 1.82% 15.8%
1966 1.9% 16.3%
1965 1.97% 16.9%
1964 2.04% 17.4%
1963 2.1% 18%
1962 2.15% 18.6%
1961 2.21% 19.2%
1960 2.26% 19.8%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.24% in Norway 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. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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