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Fertility & birth rates in Norway and Rwanda

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 28.3 for Rwanda. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.4 in Norway and 3.7 in Rwanda — 164.1% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.9% in Norway and by 55.4% in Rwanda — in 1960, it was 2.85 and 8.28, respectively.

  • Norway is ranked 156/196 by birth rate compared to 38/196 for Rwanda.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 30.1 years in Norway, compared to 23 years in Rwanda.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.8 in Norway — it's 30.6 in Rwanda.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 1.41 in Norway vs 30.8 in Rwanda.
  • In Norway, 22.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 26.2% in Rwanda.

Fertility rate in Norway vs Rwanda by year

Norway
Rwanda
1x
Year Fertility rate
Norway Rwanda
2023 1.4 3.7
2022 1.41 3.78
2021 1.55 3.84
2020 1.48 3.91
2019 1.53 3.99
2018 1.56 4.05
2017 1.62 4.08
2016 1.71 4.11
2015 1.72 4.11
2014 1.75 4.12
2013 1.78 4.14
2012 1.85 4.2
2011 1.88 4.33
2010 1.95 4.52
2009 1.98 4.71
2008 1.96 4.92
2007 1.9 5.14
2006 1.9 5.34
2005 1.84 5.5
2004 1.83 5.64
2003 1.8 5.74
2002 1.75 5.82
2001 1.78 5.89
2000 1.85 5.97
1999 1.85 6.06
1998 1.81 6.17
1997 1.86 6.24
1996 1.89 6.29
1995 1.87 6.35
1994 1.87 6.42
1993 1.86 6.48
1992 1.88 6.54
1991 1.92 6.62
1990 1.93 6.8
1989 1.89 7.03
1988 1.84 7.23
1987 1.74 7.43
1986 1.71 7.61
1985 1.68 7.79
1984 1.66 7.91
1983 1.66 8
1982 1.71 8.06
1981 1.7 8.1
1980 1.72 8.12
1979 1.75 8.13
1978 1.77 8.16
1977 1.75 8.14
1976 1.86 8.12
1975 1.98 8.1
1974 2.13 8.1
1973 2.23 8.09
1972 2.38 8.09
1971 2.49 8.09
1970 2.5 8.15
1969 2.7 8.18
1968 2.75 8.19
1967 2.81 8.21
1966 2.9 8.23
1965 2.94 8.25
1964 2.98 8.27
1963 2.93 8.27
1962 2.91 8.27
1961 2.94 8.28
1960 2.85 8.28

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | 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 3.7 in Rwanda in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Norway vs Rwanda population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Norway
Rwanda
1x
Year Natural population change
Norway Rwanda
2023 8,280 312,762
2022 5,457 312,145
2021 14,062 309,895
2020 12,372 312,692
2019 13,904 313,525
2018 14,342 312,512
2017 15,831 310,323
2016 17,797 305,549
2015 18,160 299,114
2014 18,494 292,779
2013 17,779 286,331
2012 18,066 282,584
2011 18,822 282,922
2010 20,046 286,848
2009 20,280 287,034
2008 19,073 287,334
2007 16,482 285,791
2006 17,244 282,149
2005 15,719 275,121
2004 15,612 265,273
2003 14,151 251,243
2002 10,892 239,036
2001 13,090 230,845
2000 15,269 221,276
1999 14,278 210,518
1998 14,181 197,185
1997 15,418 174,687
1996 17,087 140,455
1995 14,821 121,137
1994 16,045 -719,479
1993 12,936 183,926
1992 15,431 188,025
1991 16,194 196,431
1990 14,845 207,895
1989 13,949 217,632
1988 12,207 223,759
1987 9,212 225,744
1986 8,751 225,526
1985 6,644 223,794
1984 7,452 219,337
1983 7,844 212,750
1982 9,875 205,147
1981 9,020 195,769
1980 9,806 184,988
1979 10,181 174,477
1978 11,364 163,779
1977 11,321 155,011
1976 13,286 147,665
1975 16,430 140,596
1974 20,324 135,743
1973 21,387 131,021
1972 24,777 126,403
1971 26,541 122,567
1970 25,968 119,273
1969 28,858 115,394
1968 29,387 111,422
1967 30,276 108,053
1966 31,150 105,128
1965 31,275 103,422
1964 30,293 102,562
1963 26,766 94,296
1962 28,020 102,548
1961 29,239 102,051
1960 29,366 100,627

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | 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 +2.24% in Rwanda.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.26% in Norway and +2.45% in Rwanda.

Birth rate in Norway vs Rwanda by year

Norway
Rwanda

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Norway Rwanda
2023 9.4 28.3
2022 9.4 28.9
2021 10.4 29.4
2020 9.8 30
2019 10.2 30.7
2018 10.4 31.2
2017 10.7 31.7
2016 11.2 32
2015 11.3 32.1
2014 11.5 32.2
2013 11.6 32.4
2012 12 32.9
2011 12.2 33.8
2010 12.6 35.1
2009 12.8 36.3
2008 12.7 37.6
2007 12.4 38.8
2006 12.6 39.9
2005 12.3 40.6
2004 12.4 41.1
2003 12.4 41.4
2002 12.2 41.8
2001 12.6 42.1
2000 13.2 42.1
1999 13.3 42.1
1998 13.2 42.2
1997 13.6 40.5
1996 13.9 37.2
1995 13.8 39.5
1994 13.9 48
1993 13.8 41.5
1992 14 42.2
1991 14.3 42.8
1990 14.4 44.1
1989 14 45.3
1988 13.7 46.6
1987 12.9 47.8
1986 12.6 49
1985 12.3 50.2
1984 12.1 51.1
1983 12.1 51.8
1982 12.5 52.4
1981 12.4 52.7
1980 12.5 52.7
1979 12.7 52.5
1978 12.8 52.1
1977 12.6 51.6
1976 13.3 51.1
1975 14.1 50.4
1974 15 50
1973 15.5 49.4
1972 16.3 48.9
1971 16.8 48.5
1970 16.7 48.2
1969 17.6 47.9
1968 17.6 47.6
1967 17.6 47.4
1966 17.9 47.6
1965 17.8 48
1964 17.7 48.8
1963 17.3 49.8
1962 17.1 50.9
1961 17.3 52
1960 17.3 52.9

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Norway and 28.3 in Rwanda, compared with 17.3 and 52.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Norway Rwanda
Fertility rate 1.4 3.7
Fertility rate rank 162/196 38/196
Birth rate 9.4 28.3
Birth rate rank 156/196 38/196
Population change due to births and deaths +8,280 +312,762
Natural population change rank 118/196 51/196
Natural population change rate +0.15% +2.24%
Population growth +0.95% +2.16%
Population growth rank 105/197 45/197
Age at first childbirth 30.1 years 23 years
Average age at childbearing 31.8 years 30.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.11 29.6
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 52.1 156.2
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.7 65.7
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.4% 26.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 69.2% 58.4%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.2% 94.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.001% 0.23%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.13% 1.81%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.19% 3.05%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.24% 4%
Life expectancy 83.8 years 68.5 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Norway
Factual

UN forecast
Rwanda
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Norway Rwanda
2100 12.8% 18.7%
2099 12.8% 18.9%
2098 12.8% 19%
2097 12.8% 19.1%
2096 12.8% 19.3%
2095 12.9% 19.4%
2094 12.9% 19.6%
2093 12.9% 19.7%
2092 12.9% 19.9%
2091 13% 20%
2090 13% 20.2%
2089 13% 20.4%
2088 13% 20.5%
2087 13% 20.7%
2086 13.1% 20.9%
2085 13.1% 21.1%
2084 13.1% 21.3%
2083 13.1% 21.5%
2082 13.1% 21.7%
2081 13.1% 21.9%
2080 13% 22.1%
2079 13% 22.2%
2078 13% 22.4%
2077 13% 22.6%
2076 13% 22.8%
2075 13% 23%
2074 12.9% 23.2%
2073 12.9% 23.4%
2072 12.9% 23.6%
2071 12.9% 23.8%
2070 12.9% 24%
2069 12.9% 24.2%
2068 12.9% 24.4%
2067 13% 24.6%
2066 13% 24.9%
2065 13% 25.1%
2064 13.1% 25.3%
2063 13.1% 25.6%
2062 13.2% 25.8%
2061 13.2% 26.1%
2060 13.3% 26.4%
2059 13.4% 26.7%
2058 13.4% 27%
2057 13.5% 27.3%
2056 13.6% 27.6%
2055 13.6% 27.9%
2054 13.7% 28.3%
2053 13.8% 28.6%
2052 13.8% 28.9%
2051 13.8% 29.2%
2050 13.9% 29.5%
2049 13.9% 29.8%
2048 13.9% 30.1%
2047 13.9% 30.4%
2046 13.9% 30.7%
2045 13.9% 31%
2044 13.9% 31.2%
2043 13.9% 31.5%
2042 13.9% 31.8%
2041 13.9% 32.1%
2040 14% 32.4%
2039 14% 32.7%
2038 14% 33%
2037 14% 33.3%
2036 14.1% 33.6%
2035 14.2% 33.9%
2034 14.3% 34.2%
2033 14.4% 34.6%
2032 14.6% 34.9%
2031 14.7% 35.2%
2030 14.9% 35.6%
2029 15.1% 35.9%
2028 15.3% 36.2%
2027 15.6% 36.5%
2026 15.8% 36.9%
2025 16.1% 37.2%
2024 16.2% 37.4%
2023 16.5% 37.7%
2022 16.8% 38.2%
2021 17% 38.6%
2020 17.2% 39.2%
2019 17.4% 39.7%
2018 17.6% 40.1%
2017 17.8% 40.5%
2016 17.9% 40.9%
2015 18% 41.1%
2014 18.1% 41.4%
2013 18.3% 41.7%
2012 18.4% 41.9%
2011 18.6% 42.2%
2010 18.8% 42.4%
2009 18.9% 42.6%
2008 19.1% 42.8%
2007 19.3% 42.9%
2006 19.4% 42.9%
2005 19.6% 43.1%
2004 19.8% 43.3%
2003 19.9% 43.7%
2002 20% 44.3%
2001 20% 45.2%
2000 20% 46.4%
1999 19.9% 47.8%
1998 19.8% 49.2%
1997 19.7% 50.5%
1996 19.6% 51.4%
1995 19.5% 52.4%
1994 19.4% 50.1%
1993 19.3% 48.4%
1992 19.1% 48.7%
1991 19% 48.9%
1990 18.9% 49%
1989 19% 48.9%
1988 19.1% 48.9%
1987 19.3% 48.8%
1986 19.6% 48.6%
1985 20% 48.3%
1984 20.4% 48.1%
1983 20.9% 47.7%
1982 21.3% 47.4%
1981 21.8% 47.1%
1980 22.2% 46.8%
1979 22.6% 46.5%
1978 22.9% 46.4%
1977 23.3% 46.4%
1976 23.5% 46.4%
1975 23.8% 46.6%
1974 24% 46.9%
1973 24.2% 47.2%
1972 24.3% 47.5%
1971 24.4% 47.9%
1970 24.5% 48.2%
1969 24.5% 48.7%
1968 24.6% 49.2%
1967 24.7% 49.7%
1966 24.7% 50.2%
1965 24.8% 50.6%
1964 24.8% 50.8%
1963 25% 50.6%
1962 25.2% 50.2%
1961 25.6% 49.7%
1960 25.9% 49.2%

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/norway/rwanda | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16.2% of the population in Norway and 37.4% in Rwanda in 2024, compared to 18.9% and 49% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Norway and Rwanda compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Norway vs Rwanda

Norway
Rwanda
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Norway Rwanda
2023 1 229
2022 3 234
2021 2 254
2020 2 252
2019 2 261
2018 2 269
2017 2 275
2016 2 278
2015 2 292
2014 2 301
2013 3 317
2012 3 331
2011 4 358
2010 4 393
2009 4 418
2008 5 454
2007 5 494
2006 5 494
2005 6 465
2004 6 460
2003 5 551
2002 5 677
2001 5 769
2000 5 885
1999 5 1,073
1998 5 1,268
1997 5 1,318
1996 6 1,295
1995 6 1,505
1994 7 5,721
1993 7 1,619
1992 8 1,530
1991 8 1,386
1990 9 1,309
1989 9 1,238
1988 9 1,188
1987 9 1,145
1986 9 1,126
1985 9 1,116

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | 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 229 deaths in Rwanda.

Under-five mortality rates

Norway
Rwanda

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Norway Rwanda
2023 0.24% 4%
2022 0.23% 4.08%
2021 0.23% 4.16%
2020 0.24% 4.25%
2019 0.24% 4.34%
2018 0.25% 4.43%
2017 0.25% 4.52%
2016 0.26% 4.63%
2015 0.27% 4.78%
2014 0.28% 4.96%
2013 0.29% 5.17%
2012 0.3% 5.45%
2011 0.31% 5.81%
2010 0.33% 6.33%
2009 0.34% 6.92%
2008 0.36% 7.62%
2007 0.37% 8.45%
2006 0.39% 9.37%
2005 0.41% 10.5%
2004 0.42% 11.8%
2003 0.44% 13.3%
2002 0.46% 14.9%
2001 0.47% 16.7%
2000 0.49% 18.5%
1999 0.5% 20.2%
1998 0.51% 21.5%
1997 0.52% 22.2%
1996 0.54% 22.2%
1995 0.57% 21.8%
1994 0.61% 38.9%
1993 0.66% 19.3%
1992 0.72% 17.5%
1991 0.79% 16%
1990 0.87% 15.1%
1989 0.93% 14.8%
1988 0.98% 14.8%
1987 1.01% 15.2%
1986 1.02% 15.6%
1985 1.02% 16.1%
1984 1.01% 16.6%
1983 1% 17.4%
1982 0.99% 18.6%
1981 0.99% 20.1%
1980 1.01% 21.8%
1979 1.04% 23.4%
1978 1.09% 24.6%
1977 1.15% 25.1%
1976 1.22% 25.1%
1975 1.29% 24.6%
1974 1.36% 24%
1973 1.43% 23.4%
1972 1.5% 23%
1971 1.56% 22.6%
1970 1.62% 22.3%
1969 1.69% 22%
1968 1.75% 21.7%
1967 1.82% 21.4%
1966 1.9% 21.2%
1965 1.97% 21.1%
1964 2.04% 21.1%
1963 2.1% 21.3%
1962 2.15% 21.5%
1961 2.21% 21.9%
1960 2.26% 22.4%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/rwanda | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.24% in Norway and 4% in Rwanda. 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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