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Fertility & birth rates in Sao Tome and Principe and Suriname

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has an annual birth rate of 28.2 births per 1,000 people, compared to 17.3 for Suriname. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.64 in Sao Tome and Principe and 2.25 in Suriname — 38.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 41.6% in Sao Tome and Principe and by 65.9% in Suriname — in 1960, it was 6.24 and 6.59, respectively.

  • Sao Tome and Principe is ranked 39/196 by birth rate compared to 87/196 for Suriname.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.4 in Sao Tome and Principe — it's 28.6 in Suriname.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 86.2 in Sao Tome and Principe vs 48 in Suriname.
  • In Sao Tome and Principe, 25.2% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.2% in Suriname.

Fertility rate in Sao Tome and Principe vs Suriname by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Suriname
1x
Year Fertility rate
Sao Tome Suriname
2023 3.64 2.25
2022 3.7 2.27
2021 3.76 2.3
2020 3.83 2.31
2019 3.9 2.35
2018 3.98 2.38
2017 4.07 2.43
2016 4.2 2.5
2015 4.35 2.57
2014 4.49 2.62
2013 4.58 2.65
2012 4.66 2.67
2011 4.72 2.67
2010 4.77 2.69
2009 4.84 2.71
2008 4.91 2.73
2007 4.96 2.74
2006 4.93 2.73
2005 4.94 2.71
2004 4.96 2.74
2003 5.01 2.84
2002 5.06 2.96
2001 5.1 3.06
2000 5.16 3.05
1999 5.23 3.02
1998 5.3 2.99
1997 5.4 2.95
1996 5.47 2.92
1995 5.55 2.9
1994 5.56 2.9
1993 5.64 2.94
1992 5.7 3.01
1991 5.77 3.09
1990 5.83 3.23
1989 5.88 3.39
1988 5.94 3.46
1987 5.99 3.53
1986 6.05 3.61
1985 6.1 3.71
1984 6.16 3.8
1983 6.22 3.87
1982 6.28 3.82
1981 6.33 3.75
1980 6.39 3.79
1979 6.43 3.93
1978 6.47 4.08
1977 6.5 4.26
1976 6.52 4.45
1975 6.53 4.63
1974 6.53 4.81
1973 6.53 5.01
1972 6.51 5.18
1971 6.49 5.36
1970 6.47 5.53
1969 6.44 5.7
1968 6.42 5.86
1967 6.39 6.04
1966 6.37 6.2
1965 6.35 6.32
1964 6.33 6.43
1963 6.31 6.51
1962 6.28 6.57
1961 6.26 6.58
1960 6.24 6.59

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Sao Tome and Principe was 3.64 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.25 in Suriname in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Sao Tome and Principe vs Suriname population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Suriname
1x
Year Natural population change
Sao Tome Suriname
2023 5,221 6,697
2022 5,102 6,719
2021 4,954 5,291
2020 4,874 6,640
2019 4,932 6,564
2018 4,957 6,613
2017 5,007 6,772
2016 5,125 6,979
2015 5,269 7,150
2014 5,381 7,284
2013 5,449 7,350
2012 5,501 7,405
2011 5,445 7,401
2010 5,391 7,489
2009 5,349 7,559
2008 5,297 7,552
2007 5,226 7,468
2006 5,057 7,278
2005 4,897 7,037
2004 4,810 6,948
2003 4,702 7,396
2002 4,591 7,916
2001 4,471 8,349
2000 4,334 8,323
1999 4,221 8,236
1998 4,120 8,173
1997 4,041 8,106
1996 3,993 8,031
1995 3,948 7,968
1994 3,860 7,929
1993 3,841 8,127
1992 3,822 8,355
1991 3,801 8,637
1990 3,719 9,047
1989 3,576 9,441
1988 3,544 9,347
1987 3,440 9,319
1986 3,180 9,222
1985 3,242 9,177
1984 3,163 9,031
1983 3,100 8,797
1982 3,047 8,197
1981 3,015 7,541
1980 2,965 7,002
1979 2,893 7,312
1978 2,800 7,650
1977 2,705 7,998
1976 2,608 8,327
1975 2,515 8,587
1974 2,422 8,751
1973 2,329 8,877
1972 2,232 8,893
1971 2,127 8,814
1970 1,980 8,823
1969 1,862 8,880
1968 1,767 8,980
1967 1,693 9,104
1966 1,642 9,243
1965 1,611 9,270
1964 1,600 9,174
1963 1,609 8,838
1962 1,625 8,529
1961 1,657 8,361
1960 1,547 8,170

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | 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 +2.26% in Sao Tome and Principe and +1.06% in Suriname.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and +1.11% in Suriname.

Birth rate in Sao Tome and Principe vs Suriname by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Suriname

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Sao Tome Suriname
2023 28.2 17.3
2022 28.3 17.5
2021 28.5 17.6
2020 28.6 17.7
2019 29.2 17.9
2018 29.8 18.1
2017 30.6 18.4
2016 31.7 18.9
2015 33 19.5
2014 34.3 19.9
2013 35.4 20.1
2012 36.4 20.3
2011 36.8 20.4
2010 37.3 20.7
2009 37.9 21.1
2008 38.5 21.3
2007 38.9 21.6
2006 38.9 21.7
2005 39 21.7
2004 39.2 22.1
2003 39.6 23
2002 39.8 24.3
2001 40 25.4
2000 39.7 25.5
1999 39.4 25.6
1998 39.2 25.6
1997 39.2 25.8
1996 39.3 25.9
1995 39.5 26.1
1994 39.4 26.5
1993 39.8 27.2
1992 40.2 28
1991 40.7 28.9
1990 40.7 30.1
1989 40.9 31.4
1988 40.9 31.9
1987 41 32.4
1986 41 32.6
1985 41 32.9
1984 41.1 33
1983 41.2 32.9
1982 41.3 31.7
1981 41.5 30.3
1980 41.6 29.2
1979 41.6 29.8
1978 41.4 30.4
1977 41.3 31
1976 41.1 31.6
1975 40.9 32.1
1974 40.6 32.4
1973 40.3 32.6
1972 39.9 32.7
1971 39.5 32.8
1970 38.8 33.7
1969 38.2 34.9
1968 37.8 36.4
1967 37.7 37.9
1966 38 39.5
1965 38.6 40.9
1964 39.7 42
1963 41.1 42.6
1962 42.7 43.5
1961 44.6 44.4
1960 44.6 44.9

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 28.2 in Sao Tome and Principe and 17.3 in Suriname, compared with 44.6 and 44.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Sao Tome Suriname
Fertility rate 3.64 2.25
Fertility rate rank 41/196 84/196
Birth rate 28.2 17.3
Birth rate rank 39/196 87/196
Population change due to births and deaths +5,221 +6,697
Natural population change rank 126/196 123/196
Natural population change rate +2.26% +1.06%
Population growth +2.02% +0.88%
Population growth rank 49/197 108/197
Age at first childbirth 19.4 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 28.4 years 28.6 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 82.5 44.8
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 169.9 105
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 47.4 24.6
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.2% 25.2%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 46% 38.7%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 96.8% 98.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.08% 0.08%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.68% 0.99%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.94% 1.52%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 1.39% 1.62%
Life expectancy 70.3 years 74 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Sao Tome and Principe
Factual

UN forecast
Suriname
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Sao Tome Suriname
2100 19.5% 14.9%
2099 19.6% 15%
2098 19.8% 15%
2097 19.9% 15.1%
2096 20% 15.1%
2095 20.2% 15.2%
2094 20.3% 15.2%
2093 20.4% 15.3%
2092 20.6% 15.4%
2091 20.7% 15.4%
2090 20.9% 15.5%
2089 21.1% 15.6%
2088 21.2% 15.7%
2087 21.4% 15.8%
2086 21.6% 15.8%
2085 21.8% 15.9%
2084 22% 16%
2083 22.2% 16.1%
2082 22.4% 16.2%
2081 22.6% 16.3%
2080 22.9% 16.4%
2079 23.1% 16.5%
2078 23.3% 16.6%
2077 23.5% 16.6%
2076 23.7% 16.7%
2075 24% 16.8%
2074 24.2% 16.9%
2073 24.4% 17%
2072 24.6% 17.1%
2071 24.8% 17.2%
2070 25% 17.3%
2069 25.2% 17.4%
2068 25.4% 17.5%
2067 25.6% 17.6%
2066 25.9% 17.7%
2065 26.1% 17.8%
2064 26.3% 17.9%
2063 26.5% 18%
2062 26.8% 18.2%
2061 27% 18.3%
2060 27.3% 18.4%
2059 27.5% 18.5%
2058 27.8% 18.7%
2057 28.1% 18.8%
2056 28.4% 19%
2055 28.7% 19.1%
2054 29% 19.3%
2053 29.4% 19.5%
2052 29.7% 19.6%
2051 30.1% 19.8%
2050 30.4% 20%
2049 30.8% 20.2%
2048 31.1% 20.4%
2047 31.5% 20.6%
2046 31.8% 20.8%
2045 32.1% 21%
2044 32.5% 21.2%
2043 32.8% 21.4%
2042 33.1% 21.5%
2041 33.4% 21.7%
2040 33.6% 21.9%
2039 33.9% 22.2%
2038 34.1% 22.3%
2037 34.4% 22.5%
2036 34.6% 22.7%
2035 34.7% 22.9%
2034 34.9% 23.1%
2033 35.1% 23.3%
2032 35.3% 23.5%
2031 35.5% 23.8%
2030 35.8% 24%
2029 36.1% 24.3%
2028 36.6% 24.6%
2027 37% 24.9%
2026 37.3% 25.2%
2025 37.6% 25.5%
2024 37.8% 25.6%
2023 38.3% 25.9%
2022 38.8% 26.3%
2021 39.4% 26.5%
2020 39.9% 26.8%
2019 40.5% 27.2%
2018 40.9% 27.5%
2017 41.4% 27.9%
2016 41.7% 28.3%
2015 41.9% 28.7%
2014 42% 29.1%
2013 42% 29.4%
2012 42% 29.8%
2011 42% 30%
2010 42.1% 30.3%
2009 42.1% 30.5%
2008 42.1% 30.6%
2007 42% 30.7%
2006 42% 30.8%
2005 42% 30.9%
2004 42.1% 31%
2003 42.2% 31.3%
2002 42.3% 31.8%
2001 42.5% 32.3%
2000 42.8% 33%
1999 43.4% 33.7%
1998 43.9% 34.5%
1997 44.3% 35.3%
1996 44.7% 36.1%
1995 44.9% 36.7%
1994 45.1% 37%
1993 45.2% 37.1%
1992 45.2% 37.2%
1991 45.1% 37.3%
1990 45.1% 37.4%
1989 45% 37.5%
1988 45% 37.7%
1987 44.9% 37.8%
1986 44.7% 38%
1985 44.5% 38.3%
1984 44.4% 38.6%
1983 44.5% 39%
1982 44.5% 39.5%
1981 44.7% 40.1%
1980 44.9% 41%
1979 45.1% 41.8%
1978 45.2% 42.6%
1977 45.3% 43.4%
1976 45.4% 44.3%
1975 45.5% 45.1%
1974 45.6% 46%
1973 45.7% 46.8%
1972 45.9% 47.8%
1971 46.1% 48.5%
1970 46.2% 48.8%
1969 45.8% 48.9%
1968 44.9% 48.8%
1967 44% 48.5%
1966 42.9% 48%
1965 41.6% 47.4%
1964 40.2% 46.8%
1963 38.5% 46.1%
1962 36.6% 45.1%
1961 34.3% 44.6%
1960 32.9% 44.5%

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/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 37.8% of the population in Sao Tome and Principe and 25.6% in Suriname in 2024, compared to 45.1% and 37.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Sao Tome and Principe and Suriname compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Sao Tome and Principe vs Suriname

Sao Tome and Principe
Suriname
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Sao Tome Suriname
2023 75 84
2022 82 88
2021 98 144
2020 92 94
2019 95 97
2018 100 101
2017 110 105
2016 119 109
2015 128 115
2014 138 120
2013 150 121
2012 158 122
2011 164 126
2010 170 134
2009 172 147
2008 174 161
2007 174 173
2006 177 187
2005 181 202
2004 177 219
2003 178 238
2002 179 253
2001 178 270
2000 180 282
1999 179 291
1998 175 302
1997 173 312
1996 171 323
1995 172 331
1994 168 334
1993 166 343
1992 164 346
1991 166 347
1990 164 350
1989 167 360
1988 157 364
1987 161 372
1986 175 377
1985 159 386

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 75 deaths per 100,000 live births in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 84 deaths in Suriname.

Under-five mortality rates

Sao Tome and Principe
Suriname

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Sao Tome Suriname
2023 1.39% 1.62%
2022 1.46% 1.68%
2021 1.53% 1.73%
2020 1.6% 1.78%
2019 1.7% 1.84%
2018 1.81% 1.9%
2017 1.95% 1.95%
2016 2.11% 2%
2015 2.31% 2.05%
2014 2.54% 2.11%
2013 2.77% 2.16%
2012 3.04% 2.21%
2011 3.33% 2.26%
2010 3.63% 2.32%
2009 3.95% 2.38%
2008 4.3% 2.44%
2007 4.68% 2.5%
2006 5.11% 2.57%
2005 5.56% 2.64%
2004 6.05% 2.72%
2003 6.57% 2.81%
2002 7.1% 2.9%
2001 7.66% 3%
2000 8.21% 3.11%
1999 8.76% 3.22%
1998 9.26% 3.34%
1997 9.73% 3.47%
1996 10.1% 3.6%
1995 10.4% 3.74%
1994 10.7% 3.88%
1993 10.8% 4.03%
1992 10.9% 4.19%
1991 10.9% 4.34%
1990 10.8% 4.49%
1989 10.7% 4.65%
1988 10.6% 4.81%
1987 10.4% 4.97%
1986 11.4% 5.13%
1985 9.99% 5.31%
1984 9.77% 5.49%
1983 9.56% 5.67%
1982 9.37% -
1981 9.21% -
1980 9.1% -
1979 9.02% -
1978 8.96% -
1977 8.93% -
1976 8.89% -
1975 8.85% -
1974 8.79% -
1973 8.73% -
1972 8.67% -
1971 8.63% -
1970 8.64% -
1969 8.71% -
1968 8.85% -
1967 9.04% -
1966 9.29% -
1965 9.56% -

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1965–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sao-tome-and-principe/suriname | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 1.39% in Sao Tome and Principe and 1.62% in Suriname. 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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