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Fertility & birth rates in Sierra Leone and Uganda

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has an annual birth rate of 30.6 births per 1,000 people, compared to 35.2 for Uganda. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.79 in Sierra Leone and 4.28 in Uganda — 13% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 38.6% in Sierra Leone and by 38% in Uganda — in 1960, it was 6.18 and 6.91, respectively.

  • Sierra Leone is ranked 29/196 by birth rate compared to 12/196 for Uganda.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 19.6 years in Sierra Leone, compared to 19.4 years in Uganda.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.5 in Sierra Leone — it's 28.2 in Uganda.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 93.6 in Sierra Leone vs 107 in Uganda.
  • In Sierra Leone, 25.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 24.6% in Uganda.

Fertility rate in Sierra Leone vs Uganda by year

Sierra Leone
Uganda
1x
Year Fertility rate
Sierra Leone Uganda
2023 3.79 4.28
2022 3.88 4.39
2021 3.98 4.51
2020 4.08 4.62
2019 4.19 4.74
2018 4.29 4.87
2017 4.39 4.99
2016 4.47 5.11
2015 4.55 5.25
2014 4.7 5.41
2013 4.87 5.56
2012 5.06 5.73
2011 5.21 5.89
2010 5.33 6.02
2009 5.45 6.12
2008 5.56 6.2
2007 5.64 6.33
2006 5.74 6.43
2005 5.81 6.53
2004 5.92 6.61
2003 6.09 6.67
2002 6.23 6.74
2001 6.31 6.76
2000 6.36 6.79
1999 6.42 6.83
1998 6.5 6.84
1997 6.53 6.86
1996 6.55 6.84
1995 6.56 6.87
1994 6.56 6.9
1993 6.57 6.89
1992 6.56 6.91
1991 6.55 6.94
1990 6.57 7.01
1989 6.57 7.05
1988 6.59 7.1
1987 6.61 7.12
1986 6.6 7.08
1985 6.59 7.04
1984 6.59 7.02
1983 6.57 7.07
1982 6.56 7.11
1981 6.55 7.12
1980 6.56 7.11
1979 6.58 7.14
1978 6.59 7.16
1977 6.57 7.18
1976 6.55 7.19
1975 6.55 7.2
1974 6.53 7.19
1973 6.47 7.19
1972 6.45 7.19
1971 6.43 7.18
1970 6.41 7.15
1969 6.39 7.12
1968 6.39 7.13
1967 6.38 7.1
1966 6.35 7.07
1965 6.31 7.04
1964 6.29 7.01
1963 6.26 6.98
1962 6.22 6.96
1961 6.21 6.93
1960 6.18 6.91

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Sierra Leone was 3.79 children per woman in 2023, compared to 4.28 in Uganda in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Sierra Leone vs Uganda population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Sierra Leone
Uganda
1x
Year Natural population change
Sierra Leone Uganda
2023 188,788 1,477,166
2022 186,625 1,455,576
2021 183,326 1,423,377
2020 181,015 1,397,288
2019 181,068 1,367,044
2018 178,772 1,332,600
2017 173,259 1,290,658
2016 168,784 1,249,565
2015 162,275 1,224,839
2014 160,137 1,201,599
2013 161,265 1,184,250
2012 160,915 1,167,473
2011 158,858 1,147,263
2010 155,338 1,121,564
2009 152,669 1,090,600
2008 149,855 1,055,935
2007 145,740 1,029,893
2006 144,127 999,958
2005 137,234 969,096
2004 132,661 938,623
2003 130,312 901,374
2002 126,429 868,756
2001 116,647 836,751
2000 110,754 803,069
1999 102,295 775,166
1998 103,906 741,175
1997 105,433 727,523
1996 104,140 699,707
1995 100,885 697,218
1994 101,486 675,092
1993 103,317 650,032
1992 103,251 627,139
1991 105,477 602,740
1990 100,778 587,291
1989 98,298 565,367
1988 96,344 547,759
1987 94,235 527,397
1986 90,902 487,693
1985 88,869 462,534
1984 87,072 421,241
1983 84,628 404,940
1982 82,457 390,820
1981 80,111 380,028
1980 77,932 370,287
1979 75,992 381,626
1978 74,130 371,930
1977 71,663 365,216
1976 69,506 359,458
1975 67,560 354,278
1974 65,357 345,773
1973 62,443 340,780
1972 60,279 335,935
1971 58,484 328,294
1970 56,513 333,202
1969 54,768 320,486
1968 53,126 309,725
1967 51,734 296,692
1966 49,486 282,225
1965 47,223 271,830
1964 45,487 260,733
1963 43,569 250,885
1962 41,603 241,513
1961 40,022 232,894
1960 38,192 225,080

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | 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 +2.23% in Sierra Leone and +3.04% in Uganda.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +2.31% in Sierra Leone and +3.17% in Uganda.

Birth rate in Sierra Leone vs Uganda by year

Sierra Leone
Uganda

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Sierra Leone Uganda
2023 30.6 35.2
2022 31.1 35.8
2021 31.6 36.3
2020 32.2 36.8
2019 32.8 37.2
2018 33.3 37.7
2017 33.8 37.9
2016 34.2 38.3
2015 34.7 39
2014 35.6 39.7
2013 36.6 40.6
2012 37.8 41.4
2011 38.5 42.2
2010 39.1 42.9
2009 39.9 43.4
2008 40.6 43.8
2007 41.1 44.5
2006 41.8 45.2
2005 42 45.8
2004 42.5 46.5
2003 43.5 47
2002 44.3 47.4
2001 44 47.9
2000 45 48.2
1999 46.1 48.7
1998 46.3 48.8
1997 46.3 49.6
1996 46.5 49.5
1995 46.8 50.6
1994 46.8 50.5
1993 46.9 50.5
1992 47 50.6
1991 47.5 50.6
1990 45.5 51
1989 46.3 50.9
1988 46.4 51
1987 46.6 50.9
1986 46.6 50.4
1985 46.7 49.7
1984 46.8 49
1983 46.7 48.9
1982 46.8 48.8
1981 46.8 48.8
1980 46.8 48.7
1979 47 48.8
1978 47.2 48.6
1977 47.1 48.6
1976 47.2 48.6
1975 47.3 48.7
1974 47.4 48.6
1973 47.2 48.7
1972 47.2 48.9
1971 47.3 48.9
1970 47.4 48.7
1969 47.5 48.4
1968 47.7 48.4
1967 47.9 48.2
1966 48 47.9
1965 48 47.8
1964 48.2 47.7
1963 48.2 47.8
1962 48.1 48
1961 48.1 48.2
1960 48 48.6

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 30.6 in Sierra Leone and 35.2 in Uganda, compared with 48 and 48.6, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Sierra Leone Uganda
Fertility rate 3.79 4.28
Fertility rate rank 35/196 19/196
Birth rate 30.6 35.2
Birth rate rank 29/196 12/196
Population change due to births and deaths +188,788 +1,477,166
Natural population change rank 62/196 10/196
Natural population change rate +2.23% +3.04%
Population growth +2.15% +2.79%
Population growth rank 47/197 22/197
Age at first childbirth 19.6 years 19.4 years
Average age at childbearing 28.5 years 28.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 87.7 102.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 169.3 195.1
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 53.4 67.5
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.4% 24.6%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 20.9% 38%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 86.9% 74.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.35% 0.17%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 2.93% 1.79%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 5.62% 2.76%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 9.43% 3.88%
Life expectancy 62.3 years 68.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Sierra Leone
Factual

UN forecast
Uganda
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Sierra Leone Uganda
2100 19% 17.8%
2099 19% 18%
2098 19.1% 18.1%
2097 19.2% 18.3%
2096 19.3% 18.5%
2095 19.5% 18.6%
2094 19.6% 18.8%
2093 19.7% 19%
2092 19.8% 19.2%
2091 19.9% 19.4%
2090 20% 19.6%
2089 20.1% 19.7%
2088 20.3% 19.9%
2087 20.4% 20.1%
2086 20.5% 20.4%
2085 20.7% 20.6%
2084 20.8% 20.8%
2083 20.9% 21%
2082 21.1% 21.2%
2081 21.2% 21.4%
2080 21.4% 21.7%
2079 21.6% 21.9%
2078 21.7% 22.1%
2077 21.9% 22.4%
2076 22.1% 22.6%
2075 22.2% 22.9%
2074 22.4% 23.2%
2073 22.6% 23.5%
2072 22.8% 23.7%
2071 23% 24%
2070 23.2% 24.3%
2069 23.4% 24.6%
2068 23.6% 25%
2067 23.8% 25.3%
2066 24% 25.6%
2065 24.3% 25.9%
2064 24.5% 26.3%
2063 24.7% 26.6%
2062 25% 27%
2061 25.2% 27.3%
2060 25.5% 27.7%
2059 25.7% 28%
2058 26% 28.4%
2057 26.3% 28.7%
2056 26.6% 29.1%
2055 26.9% 29.4%
2054 27.1% 29.8%
2053 27.4% 30.1%
2052 27.7% 30.5%
2051 28.1% 30.9%
2050 28.4% 31.3%
2049 28.7% 31.6%
2048 29% 32%
2047 29.3% 32.5%
2046 29.7% 32.9%
2045 30% 33.4%
2044 30.3% 33.8%
2043 30.7% 34.3%
2042 31.1% 34.8%
2041 31.4% 35.3%
2040 31.8% 35.9%
2039 32.2% 36.4%
2038 32.6% 37%
2037 33% 37.6%
2036 33.4% 38.1%
2035 33.8% 38.7%
2034 34.2% 39.2%
2033 34.6% 39.7%
2032 35% 40.2%
2031 35.4% 40.7%
2030 35.7% 41.1%
2029 36.1% 41.6%
2028 36.5% 42%
2027 37% 42.5%
2026 37.4% 42.9%
2025 37.9% 43.3%
2024 38.1% 43.5%
2023 38.5% 43.9%
2022 39% 44.3%
2021 39.4% 44.7%
2020 39.8% 45.2%
2019 40.2% 45.8%
2018 40.6% 46.3%
2017 41% 46.9%
2016 41.4% 47.5%
2015 41.8% 48.1%
2014 42.2% 48.5%
2013 42.5% 48.8%
2012 42.8% 49.1%
2011 43% 49.3%
2010 43.2% 49.5%
2009 43.4% 49.7%
2008 43.5% 49.8%
2007 43.6% 50%
2006 43.7% 50%
2005 43.8% 50.1%
2004 43.9% 50.1%
2003 43.9% 50.1%
2002 43.9% 50.1%
2001 43.9% 50.1%
2000 43.8% 50.1%
1999 43.7% 50%
1998 43.6% 49.9%
1997 43.5% 49.7%
1996 43.5% 49.4%
1995 43.4% 49.1%
1994 43.3% 48.6%
1993 43.2% 48.5%
1992 43.1% 48.4%
1991 43% 48.3%
1990 42.9% 48.2%
1989 42.9% 48.1%
1988 42.8% 48.1%
1987 42.7% 48%
1986 42.6% 48%
1985 42.5% 48%
1984 42.3% 48%
1983 42.2% 48.1%
1982 42.1% 48%
1981 42% 48%
1980 41.9% 47.9%
1979 41.8% 47.7%
1978 41.7% 47.6%
1977 41.6% 47.5%
1976 41.4% 47.5%
1975 41.3% 47.4%
1974 41.1% 47.3%
1973 40.9% 47.1%
1972 40.7% 46.9%
1971 40.6% 46.7%
1970 40.3% 46.5%
1969 40.1% 46.5%
1968 39.9% 46.5%
1967 39.6% 46.6%
1966 39.4% 46.6%
1965 39.1% 46.7%
1964 38.8% 46.8%
1963 38.5% 46.9%
1962 38.3% 46.8%
1961 38.3% 46.6%
1960 38.2% 46.3%

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/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 38.1% of the population in Sierra Leone and 43.5% in Uganda in 2024, compared to 42.9% and 48.2% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Sierra Leone and Uganda compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Sierra Leone vs Uganda

Sierra Leone
Uganda
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Sierra Leone Uganda
2023 354 170
2022 370 184
2021 403 216
2020 422 209
2019 464 219
2018 491 232
2017 578 246
2016 633 272
2015 730 299
2014 821 311
2013 842 308
2012 915 285
2011 967 295
2010 1,018 304
2009 1,054 322
2008 1,093 324
2007 1,132 345
2006 1,168 409
2005 1,294 417
2004 1,366 384
2003 1,433 395
2002 1,492 416
2001 1,518 440
2000 1,603 475
1999 1,731 504
1998 1,753 523
1997 1,721 522
1996 1,726 513
1995 1,777 514
1994 1,755 507
1993 1,696 515
1992 1,681 530
1991 1,699 549
1990 1,572 575
1989 1,575 609
1988 1,549 655
1987 1,533 709
1986 1,530 781
1985 1,506 842

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 354 deaths per 100,000 live births in Sierra Leone, compared to 170 deaths in Uganda.

Under-five mortality rates

Sierra Leone
Uganda

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Sierra Leone Uganda
2023 9.43% 3.88%
2022 9.77% 4.05%
2021 10.1% 4.18%
2020 10.5% 4.35%
2019 10.9% 4.53%
2018 11.3% 4.74%
2017 11.8% 4.98%
2016 12.3% 5.25%
2015 13.8% 5.58%
2014 13.7% 5.91%
2013 13.9% 6.24%
2012 14.5% 6.67%
2011 15.2% 7.1%
2010 15.9% 7.61%
2009 16.6% 8.14%
2008 17.3% 8.69%
2007 18.1% 9.3%
2006 18.8% 9.97%
2005 19.4% 10.7%
2004 20.1% 11.5%
2003 20.7% 12.3%
2002 21.3% 13.1%
2001 21.8% 13.9%
2000 22.4% 14.6%
1999 22.9% 15.2%
1998 23.4% 15.6%
1997 23.9% 16%
1996 24.3% 16.2%
1995 24.7% 16.5%
1994 25% 16.7%
1993 25.3% 17%
1992 25.5% 17.4%
1991 25.7% 17.9%
1990 25.9% 18.3%
1989 26.2% 18.7%
1988 26.4% 18.9%
1987 26.6% 19.2%
1986 26.9% 19.5%
1985 27.2% 19.9%
1984 27.5% 20.3%
1983 27.8% 20.9%
1982 28.1% 21.4%
1981 28.5% 21.9%
1980 28.9% 22%
1979 29.2% 21.8%
1978 29.6% 21.6%
1977 30% 21.2%
1976 30.5% 20.7%
1975 30.9% 20.3%
1974 31.4% 19.9%
1973 31.9% 19.6%
1972 32.3% 19.4%
1971 32.9% 19.3%
1970 33.4% 19.3%
1969 33.9% 19.4%
1968 34.5% 19.7%
1967 35% 19.9%
1966 35.6% 20.3%
1965 36.2% 20.6%
1964 36.8% 20.9%
1963 37.4% 21.3%
1962 38% 21.6%
1961 38.5% 21.9%
1960 39.1% 22.3%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/sierra-leone/uganda | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 9.43% in Sierra Leone and 3.88% in Uganda. 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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