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Fertility & birth rates in Norway and South Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has an annual birth rate of 9.4 births per 1,000 people, compared to 4.5 for South Korea. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.4 in Norway and 0.72 in South Korea — 48.5% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 50.9% in Norway and by 88% in South Korea — in 1960, it was 2.85 and 5.99, respectively.

  • Norway is ranked 156/196 by birth rate compared to 196/196 for South Korea.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 30.1 years in Norway, compared to 32.2 years in South Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 31.8 in Norway — it's 33.4 in South Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 1.41 in Norway vs 0.54 in South Korea.
  • In Norway, 22.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.7% in South Korea.

Fertility rate in Norway vs South Korea by year

Norway
South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Norway South Korea
2023 1.4 0.72
2022 1.41 0.78
2021 1.55 0.81
2020 1.48 0.84
2019 1.53 0.92
2018 1.56 0.98
2017 1.62 1.05
2016 1.71 1.17
2015 1.72 1.24
2014 1.75 1.21
2013 1.78 1.19
2012 1.85 1.3
2011 1.88 1.24
2010 1.95 1.23
2009 1.98 1.15
2008 1.96 1.19
2007 1.9 1.26
2006 1.9 1.13
2005 1.84 1.09
2004 1.83 1.16
2003 1.8 1.19
2002 1.75 1.18
2001 1.78 1.31
2000 1.85 1.48
1999 1.85 1.43
1998 1.81 1.46
1997 1.86 1.54
1996 1.89 1.57
1995 1.87 1.63
1994 1.87 1.66
1993 1.86 1.65
1992 1.88 1.76
1991 1.92 1.71
1990 1.93 1.57
1989 1.89 1.56
1988 1.84 1.55
1987 1.74 1.53
1986 1.71 1.58
1985 1.68 1.66
1984 1.66 1.74
1983 1.66 2.06
1982 1.71 2.39
1981 1.7 2.57
1980 1.72 2.82
1979 1.75 2.9
1978 1.77 2.64
1977 1.75 2.99
1976 1.86 3
1975 1.98 3.43
1974 2.13 3.77
1973 2.23 4.07
1972 2.38 4.12
1971 2.49 4.54
1970 2.5 4.53
1969 2.7 4.45
1968 2.75 4.51
1967 2.81 4.62
1966 2.9 4.78
1965 2.94 4.89
1964 2.98 5.07
1963 2.93 5.33
1962 2.91 5.56
1961 2.94 5.8
1960 2.85 5.99

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | 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 0.72 in South Korea in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Norway
South Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Norway South Korea
2023 8,280 -77,569
2022 5,457 -124,014
2021 14,062 -56,947
2020 12,372 -31,101
2019 13,904 10,353
2018 14,342 30,951
2017 15,831 71,907
2016 17,797 122,923
2015 18,160 163,248
2014 18,494 167,464
2013 17,779 166,415
2012 18,066 215,859
2011 18,822 214,728
2010 20,046 213,083
2009 20,280 197,231
2008 19,073 215,841
2007 16,482 248,286
2006 17,244 203,441
2005 15,719 187,920
2004 15,612 225,988
2003 14,151 244,251
2002 10,892 247,752
2001 13,090 312,643
2000 15,269 390,167
1999 14,278 368,272
1998 14,181 393,436
1997 15,418 422,773
1996 17,087 446,142
1995 14,821 468,967
1994 16,045 473,200
1993 12,936 477,302
1992 15,431 494,352
1991 16,194 467,594
1990 14,845 411,546
1989 13,949 403,266
1988 12,207 399,297
1987 9,212 378,758
1986 8,751 395,651
1985 6,644 416,219
1984 7,452 436,384
1983 7,844 514,844
1982 9,875 605,626
1981 9,020 631,189
1980 9,806 583,294
1979 10,181 623,068
1978 11,364 499,084
1977 11,321 578,947
1976 13,286 530,558
1975 16,430 603,300
1974 20,324 673,030
1973 21,387 699,115
1972 24,777 740,469
1971 26,541 789,185
1970 25,968 747,987
1969 28,858 694,227
1968 29,387 684,487
1967 30,276 692,169
1966 31,150 623,534
1965 31,275 641,090
1964 30,293 655,501
1963 26,766 685,824
1962 28,020 712,590
1961 29,239 730,173
1960 29,366 728,010

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | 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 -0.15% in South Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.26% in Norway and +0.06% in South Korea.

Birth rate in Norway vs South Korea by year

Norway
South Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Norway South Korea
2023 9.4 4.5
2022 9.4 4.9
2021 10.4 5.1
2020 9.8 5.3
2019 10.2 5.9
2018 10.4 6.4
2017 10.7 7
2016 11.2 7.9
2015 11.3 8.6
2014 11.5 8.6
2013 11.6 8.6
2012 12 9.6
2011 12.2 9.4
2010 12.6 9.4
2009 12.8 9
2008 12.7 9.4
2007 12.4 10.1
2006 12.6 9.2
2005 12.3 9
2004 12.4 9.8
2003 12.4 10.2
2002 12.2 10.3
2001 12.6 11.7
2000 13.2 13.5
1999 13.3 13.2
1998 13.2 13.7
1997 13.6 14.5
1996 13.9 15
1995 13.8 15.7
1994 13.9 16
1993 13.8 16
1992 14 16.7
1991 14.3 16.4
1990 14.4 15.2
1989 14 15.1
1988 13.7 15.1
1987 12.9 15
1986 12.6 15.4
1985 12.3 16.1
1984 12.1 16.7
1983 12.1 19.3
1982 12.5 21.6
1981 12.4 22.4
1980 12.5 22.6
1979 12.7 23
1978 12.8 20.3
1977 12.6 22.7
1976 13.3 22.2
1975 14.1 24.8
1974 15 26.6
1973 15.5 28.3
1972 16.3 28.4
1971 16.8 31.2
1970 16.7 31.2
1969 17.6 30.3
1968 17.6 30.7
1967 17.6 31.5
1966 17.9 32.8
1965 17.8 33.8
1964 17.7 35.2
1963 17.3 37.2
1962 17.1 39
1961 17.3 40.9
1960 17.3 42.1

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9.4 in Norway and 4.5 in South Korea, compared with 17.3 and 42.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Norway South Korea
Fertility rate 1.4 0.72
Fertility rate rank 162/196 196/196
Birth rate 9.4 4.5
Birth rate rank 156/196 196/196
Population change due to births and deaths +8,280 -77,569
Natural population change rank 118/196 187/196
Natural population change rate +0.15% -0.15%
Population growth +0.95% +0.07%
Population growth rank 105/197 160/197
Age at first childbirth 30.1 years 32.2 years
Average age at childbearing 31.8 years 33.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.11 0.56
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 52.1 14.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.7 10.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 22.4% 21.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 69.2% 67.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 99.2% 100%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.001% 0.004%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.13% 0.12%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.19% 0.23%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.24% 0.28%
Life expectancy 83.8 years 84.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Norway
Factual

UN forecast
South Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Norway South Korea
2100 12.8% 8.61%
2099 12.8% 8.6%
2098 12.8% 8.59%
2097 12.8% 8.59%
2096 12.8% 8.59%
2095 12.9% 8.6%
2094 12.9% 8.61%
2093 12.9% 8.62%
2092 12.9% 8.62%
2091 13% 8.62%
2090 13% 8.62%
2089 13% 8.6%
2088 13% 8.58%
2087 13% 8.55%
2086 13.1% 8.5%
2085 13.1% 8.45%
2084 13.1% 8.39%
2083 13.1% 8.33%
2082 13.1% 8.26%
2081 13.1% 8.18%
2080 13% 8.09%
2079 13% 8%
2078 13% 7.91%
2077 13% 7.82%
2076 13% 7.72%
2075 13% 7.63%
2074 12.9% 7.53%
2073 12.9% 7.44%
2072 12.9% 7.35%
2071 12.9% 7.28%
2070 12.9% 7.21%
2069 12.9% 7.16%
2068 12.9% 7.13%
2067 13% 7.11%
2066 13% 7.11%
2065 13% 7.14%
2064 13.1% 7.18%
2063 13.1% 7.23%
2062 13.2% 7.3%
2061 13.2% 7.37%
2060 13.3% 7.45%
2059 13.4% 7.52%
2058 13.4% 7.6%
2057 13.5% 7.66%
2056 13.6% 7.72%
2055 13.6% 7.76%
2054 13.7% 7.79%
2053 13.8% 7.81%
2052 13.8% 7.83%
2051 13.8% 7.83%
2050 13.9% 7.83%
2049 13.9% 7.82%
2048 13.9% 7.81%
2047 13.9% 7.8%
2046 13.9% 7.79%
2045 13.9% 7.78%
2044 13.9% 7.78%
2043 13.9% 7.77%
2042 13.9% 7.76%
2041 13.9% 7.74%
2040 14% 7.72%
2039 14% 7.7%
2038 14% 7.66%
2037 14% 7.65%
2036 14.1% 7.65%
2035 14.2% 7.66%
2034 14.3% 7.73%
2033 14.4% 7.85%
2032 14.6% 8.02%
2031 14.7% 8.28%
2030 14.9% 8.59%
2029 15.1% 8.9%
2028 15.3% 9.23%
2027 15.6% 9.62%
2026 15.8% 10%
2025 16.1% 10.4%
2024 16.2% 10.6%
2023 16.5% 11%
2022 16.8% 11.4%
2021 17% 11.8%
2020 17.2% 12.1%
2019 17.4% 12.4%
2018 17.6% 12.7%
2017 17.8% 13%
2016 17.9% 13.4%
2015 18% 13.8%
2014 18.1% 14.2%
2013 18.3% 14.7%
2012 18.4% 15.2%
2011 18.6% 15.8%
2010 18.8% 16.4%
2009 18.9% 16.9%
2008 19.1% 17.5%
2007 19.3% 18.1%
2006 19.4% 18.7%
2005 19.6% 19.2%
2004 19.8% 19.7%
2003 19.9% 20.1%
2002 20% 20.5%
2001 20% 20.8%
2000 20% 21%
1999 19.9% 21.2%
1998 19.8% 21.6%
1997 19.7% 22%
1996 19.6% 22.5%
1995 19.5% 23.1%
1994 19.4% 23.7%
1993 19.3% 24.2%
1992 19.1% 24.7%
1991 19% 25.2%
1990 18.9% 25.8%
1989 19% 26.5%
1988 19.1% 27.3%
1987 19.3% 28.2%
1986 19.6% 29.2%
1985 20% 30.2%
1984 20.4% 31.2%
1983 20.9% 32%
1982 21.3% 32.7%
1981 21.8% 33.3%
1980 22.2% 34%
1979 22.6% 34.8%
1978 22.9% 35.6%
1977 23.3% 36.5%
1976 23.5% 37.5%
1975 23.8% 38.5%
1974 24% 39.5%
1973 24.2% 40.3%
1972 24.3% 41%
1971 24.4% 41.5%
1970 24.5% 42.1%
1969 24.5% 42.7%
1968 24.6% 43.1%
1967 24.7% 43.3%
1966 24.7% 43.5%
1965 24.8% 43.3%
1964 24.8% 43.1%
1963 25% 42.7%
1962 25.2% 42.3%
1961 25.6% 41.8%
1960 25.9% 41.3%

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/south-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 16.2% of the population in Norway and 10.6% in South Korea in 2024, compared to 18.9% and 25.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Norway and South Korea compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Norway vs South Korea

Norway
South Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Norway South Korea
2023 1 4
2022 3 7
2021 2 5
2020 2 12
2019 2 5
2018 2 5
2017 2 6
2016 2 6
2015 2 6
2014 2 7
2013 3 7
2012 3 8
2011 4 8
2010 4 8
2009 4 9
2008 5 9
2007 5 10
2006 5 10
2005 6 11
2004 6 12
2003 5 13
2002 5 13
2001 5 14
2000 5 15
1999 5 17
1998 5 18
1997 5 19
1996 6 20
1995 6 22
1994 7 23
1993 7 24
1992 8 26
1991 8 28
1990 9 28
1989 9 29
1988 9 31
1987 9 34
1986 9 35
1985 9 38

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | 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 4 deaths in South Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Norway
South Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Norway South Korea
2023 0.24% 0.28%
2022 0.23% 0.28%
2021 0.23% 0.29%
2020 0.24% 0.3%
2019 0.24% 0.31%
2018 0.25% 0.32%
2017 0.25% 0.33%
2016 0.26% 0.34%
2015 0.27% 0.35%
2014 0.28% 0.36%
2013 0.29% 0.37%
2012 0.3% 0.38%
2011 0.31% 0.4%
2010 0.33% 0.41%
2009 0.34% 0.43%
2008 0.36% 0.45%
2007 0.37% 0.48%
2006 0.39% 0.52%
2005 0.41% 0.56%
2004 0.42% 0.6%
2003 0.44% 0.64%
2002 0.46% 0.68%
2001 0.47% 0.71%
2000 0.49% 0.75%
1999 0.5% 0.8%
1998 0.51% 0.85%
1997 0.52% 0.91%
1996 0.54% 0.98%
1995 0.57% 1.05%
1994 0.61% 1.14%
1993 0.66% 1.23%
1992 0.72% 1.33%
1991 0.79% 1.44%
1990 0.87% 1.57%
1989 0.93% 1.71%
1988 0.98% 1.87%
1987 1.01% 2.05%
1986 1.02% 2.25%
1985 1.02% 2.46%
1984 1.01% 2.7%
1983 1% 2.93%
1982 0.99% 3.17%
1981 0.99% 3.4%
1980 1.01% 3.63%
1979 1.04% 3.84%
1978 1.09% 4.04%
1977 1.15% 4.23%
1976 1.22% 4.42%
1975 1.29% 4.61%
1974 1.36% 4.82%
1973 1.43% 5.07%
1972 1.5% 5.36%
1971 1.56% 5.71%
1970 1.62% 6.12%
1969 1.69% 6.59%
1968 1.75% 7.1%
1967 1.82% 7.62%
1966 1.9% 8.16%
1965 1.97% 8.68%
1964 2.04% 9.18%
1963 2.1% 9.67%
1962 2.15% 10.1%
1961 2.21% 10.6%
1960 2.26% 11.2%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/norway/south-korea | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.24% in Norway and 0.28% in South Korea. 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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