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Fertility & birth rates in Somalia and South Korea

Updated on by Georank team

Somalia has an annual birth rate of 43 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 6.13 in Somalia and 0.72 in South Korea — 88.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 15.4% in Somalia and by 88% in South Korea — in 1960, it was 7.25 and 5.99, respectively.

  • Somalia is ranked 2/196 by birth rate compared to 196/196 for South Korea.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 29.3 in Somalia — it's 33.4 in South Korea.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 117.1 in Somalia vs 0.54 in South Korea.
  • In Somalia, 22.4% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 21.7% in South Korea.

Fertility rate in Somalia vs South Korea by year

Somalia
South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Somalia South Korea
2023 6.13 0.72
2022 6.26 0.78
2021 6.35 0.81
2020 6.45 0.84
2019 6.56 0.92
2018 6.66 0.98
2017 6.77 1.05
2016 6.88 1.17
2015 6.98 1.24
2014 7.06 1.21
2013 7.14 1.19
2012 7.21 1.3
2011 7.27 1.24
2010 7.32 1.23
2009 7.38 1.15
2008 7.42 1.19
2007 7.46 1.26
2006 7.49 1.13
2005 7.53 1.09
2004 7.57 1.16
2003 7.6 1.19
2002 7.63 1.18
2001 7.64 1.31
2000 7.65 1.48
1999 7.66 1.43
1998 7.66 1.46
1997 7.66 1.54
1996 7.62 1.57
1995 7.58 1.63
1994 7.54 1.66
1993 7.53 1.65
1992 7.5 1.76
1991 7.47 1.71
1990 7.44 1.57
1989 7.42 1.56
1988 7.4 1.55
1987 7.37 1.53
1986 7.35 1.58
1985 7.33 1.66
1984 7.3 1.74
1983 7.28 2.06
1982 7.25 2.39
1981 7.23 2.57
1980 7.18 2.82
1979 7.16 2.9
1978 7.13 2.64
1977 7 2.99
1976 7.02 3
1975 7.03 3.43
1974 7.06 3.77
1973 7.09 4.07
1972 7.12 4.12
1971 7.15 4.54
1970 7.18 4.53
1969 7.21 4.45
1968 7.23 4.51
1967 7.25 4.62
1966 7.26 4.78
1965 7.26 4.89
1964 7.26 5.07
1963 7.26 5.33
1962 7.26 5.56
1961 7.25 5.8
1960 7.25 5.99

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

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

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Somalia was 6.13 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 Somalia vs South Korea population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Somalia
South Korea
1x
Year Natural population change
Somalia South Korea
2023 608,203 -77,569
2022 551,450 -124,014
2021 566,399 -56,947
2020 561,311 -31,101
2019 548,756 10,353
2018 514,244 30,951
2017 478,556 71,907
2016 495,132 122,923
2015 481,573 163,248
2014 464,481 167,464
2013 448,518 166,415
2012 399,468 215,859
2011 203,213 214,728
2010 385,571 213,083
2009 405,784 197,231
2008 394,258 215,841
2007 380,303 248,286
2006 372,597 203,441
2005 363,117 187,920
2004 351,959 225,988
2003 341,192 244,251
2002 331,215 247,752
2001 319,059 312,643
2000 306,651 390,167
1999 295,523 368,272
1998 284,779 393,436
1997 271,894 422,773
1996 264,807 446,142
1995 254,509 468,967
1994 246,950 473,200
1993 232,960 477,302
1992 57,495 494,352
1991 53,052 467,594
1990 225,162 411,546
1989 225,255 403,266
1988 215,599 399,297
1987 231,580 378,758
1986 218,416 395,651
1985 207,960 416,219
1984 199,017 436,384
1983 190,775 514,844
1982 182,793 605,626
1981 185,211 631,189
1980 174,790 583,294
1979 151,016 623,068
1978 132,689 499,084
1977 124,818 578,947
1976 113,319 530,558
1975 108,998 603,300
1974 104,813 673,030
1973 108,038 699,115
1972 104,493 740,469
1971 101,196 789,185
1970 98,025 747,987
1969 95,045 694,227
1968 92,208 684,487
1967 89,497 692,169
1966 86,930 623,534
1965 84,448 641,090
1964 82,042 655,501
1963 79,859 685,824
1962 77,737 712,590
1961 75,513 730,173
1960 73,850 728,010

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/somalia/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 +3.31% in Somalia and -0.15% in South Korea.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +3.34% in Somalia and +0.06% in South Korea.

Birth rate in Somalia vs South Korea by year

Somalia
South Korea

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Somalia South Korea
2023 43 4.5
2022 43.8 4.9
2021 44.1 5.1
2020 44.5 5.3
2019 45.1 5.9
2018 45.7 6.4
2017 46.2 7
2016 46.6 7.9
2015 47.2 8.6
2014 47.5 8.6
2013 47.7 8.6
2012 48.2 9.6
2011 48.6 9.4
2010 48.1 9.4
2009 48.4 9
2008 48.8 9.4
2007 48.9 10.1
2006 49.4 9.2
2005 49.6 9
2004 49.9 9.8
2003 50.1 10.2
2002 50.4 10.3
2001 50.4 11.7
2000 50.4 13.5
1999 50.7 13.2
1998 50.7 13.7
1997 50.8 14.5
1996 51 15
1995 50.6 15.7
1994 51.1 16
1993 50.1 16
1992 51.5 16.7
1991 51.9 16.4
1990 50.3 15.2
1989 50.4 15.1
1988 50.8 15.1
1987 49.3 15
1986 48.9 15.4
1985 48.7 16.1
1984 48.5 16.7
1983 48.5 19.3
1982 48.3 21.6
1981 49.5 22.4
1980 47.4 22.6
1979 44.9 23
1978 45.2 20.3
1977 46.2 22.7
1976 46 22.2
1975 45.9 24.8
1974 45.7 26.6
1973 45.6 28.3
1972 45.6 28.4
1971 45.5 31.2
1970 45.5 31.2
1969 45.6 30.3
1968 45.6 30.7
1967 45.7 31.5
1966 45.8 32.8
1965 45.9 33.8
1964 46 35.2
1963 46.2 37.2
1962 46.3 39
1961 46.5 40.9
1960 46.8 42.1

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 43 in Somalia and 4.5 in South Korea, compared with 46.8 and 42.1, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Somalia South Korea
Fertility rate 6.13 0.72
Fertility rate rank 1/196 196/196
Birth rate 43 4.5
Birth rate rank 2/196 196/196
Population change due to births and deaths +608,203 -77,569
Natural population change rank 31/196 187/196
Natural population change rate +3.31% -0.15%
Population growth +3.54% +0.07%
Population growth rank 8/197 160/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 32.2 years
Average age at childbearing 29.3 years 33.4 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 113.6 0.56
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 268.6 14.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 99.8 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 0.9% 67.6%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 31.9% 100%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.56% 0.004%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 3.49% 0.12%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 6.78% 0.23%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 10.4% 0.28%
Life expectancy 59.3 years 84.6 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Somalia
Factual

UN forecast
South Korea
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Somalia South Korea
2100 23.1% 8.61%
2099 23.3% 8.6%
2098 23.4% 8.59%
2097 23.6% 8.59%
2096 23.8% 8.59%
2095 24% 8.6%
2094 24.2% 8.61%
2093 24.4% 8.62%
2092 24.6% 8.62%
2091 24.8% 8.62%
2090 25% 8.62%
2089 25.2% 8.6%
2088 25.5% 8.58%
2087 25.7% 8.55%
2086 25.9% 8.5%
2085 26.1% 8.45%
2084 26.4% 8.39%
2083 26.6% 8.33%
2082 26.8% 8.26%
2081 27.1% 8.18%
2080 27.3% 8.09%
2079 27.6% 8%
2078 27.9% 7.91%
2077 28.1% 7.82%
2076 28.4% 7.72%
2075 28.7% 7.63%
2074 29% 7.53%
2073 29.3% 7.44%
2072 29.6% 7.35%
2071 29.9% 7.28%
2070 30.2% 7.21%
2069 30.6% 7.16%
2068 30.9% 7.13%
2067 31.2% 7.11%
2066 31.5% 7.11%
2065 31.9% 7.14%
2064 32.2% 7.18%
2063 32.5% 7.23%
2062 32.9% 7.3%
2061 33.2% 7.37%
2060 33.6% 7.45%
2059 33.9% 7.52%
2058 34.2% 7.6%
2057 34.6% 7.66%
2056 34.9% 7.72%
2055 35.3% 7.76%
2054 35.7% 7.79%
2053 36.1% 7.81%
2052 36.4% 7.83%
2051 36.8% 7.83%
2050 37.2% 7.83%
2049 37.6% 7.82%
2048 38% 7.81%
2047 38.4% 7.8%
2046 38.8% 7.79%
2045 39.2% 7.78%
2044 39.7% 7.78%
2043 40.1% 7.77%
2042 40.5% 7.76%
2041 41% 7.74%
2040 41.5% 7.72%
2039 41.9% 7.7%
2038 42.4% 7.66%
2037 42.8% 7.65%
2036 43.3% 7.65%
2035 43.7% 7.66%
2034 44.1% 7.73%
2033 44.5% 7.85%
2032 44.9% 8.02%
2031 45.2% 8.28%
2030 45.6% 8.59%
2029 46% 8.9%
2028 46.2% 9.23%
2027 46.5% 9.62%
2026 46.6% 10%
2025 46.6% 10.4%
2024 46.6% 10.6%
2023 46.7% 11%
2022 46.8% 11.4%
2021 47% 11.8%
2020 47% 12.1%
2019 47.1% 12.4%
2018 47.3% 12.7%
2017 47.4% 13%
2016 47.5% 13.4%
2015 47.6% 13.8%
2014 47.7% 14.2%
2013 47.8% 14.7%
2012 47.9% 15.2%
2011 48.3% 15.8%
2010 48.7% 16.4%
2009 48.8% 16.9%
2008 48.9% 17.5%
2007 48.9% 18.1%
2006 48.6% 18.7%
2005 48.2% 19.2%
2004 47.9% 19.7%
2003 47.7% 20.1%
2002 47.6% 20.5%
2001 47.5% 20.8%
2000 47.4% 21%
1999 47.2% 21.2%
1998 47.1% 21.6%
1997 47% 22%
1996 46.9% 22.5%
1995 46.7% 23.1%
1994 46.5% 23.7%
1993 46.4% 24.2%
1992 46.5% 24.7%
1991 47% 25.2%
1990 47% 25.8%
1989 46.7% 26.5%
1988 46.3% 27.3%
1987 46% 28.2%
1986 45.8% 29.2%
1985 45.6% 30.2%
1984 45.4% 31.2%
1983 45.2% 32%
1982 45% 32.7%
1981 44.8% 33.3%
1980 44.6% 34%
1979 44.5% 34.8%
1978 44.4% 35.6%
1977 44.3% 36.5%
1976 44.3% 37.5%
1975 44.3% 38.5%
1974 44.4% 39.5%
1973 44.4% 40.3%
1972 44.4% 41%
1971 44.5% 41.5%
1970 44.5% 42.1%
1969 44.6% 42.7%
1968 44.7% 43.1%
1967 44.8% 43.3%
1966 44.9% 43.5%
1965 45.1% 43.3%
1964 45.1% 43.1%
1963 45% 42.7%
1962 44.8% 42.3%
1961 44.7% 41.8%
1960 44.4% 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/somalia/south-korea | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 46.6% of the population in Somalia and 10.6% in South Korea in 2024, compared to 47% and 25.8% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Somalia 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/somalia/south-korea | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Somalia vs South Korea

Somalia
South Korea
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Somalia South Korea
2023 563 4
2022 622 7
2021 726 5
2020 655 12
2019 656 5
2018 727 5
2017 716 6
2016 754 6
2015 784 6
2014 816 7
2013 855 7
2012 894 8
2011 972 8
2010 1,062 8
2009 995 9
2008 1,035 9
2007 1,074 10
2006 1,085 10
2005 1,086 11
2004 1,104 12
2003 1,111 13
2002 1,121 13
2001 1,129 14
2000 1,150 15
1999 1,170 17
1998 1,177 18
1997 1,206 19
1996 1,225 20
1995 1,210 22
1994 1,254 23
1993 1,195 24
1992 1,339 26
1991 1,431 28
1990 1,358 28
1989 1,395 29
1988 1,423 31
1987 1,393 34
1986 1,452 35
1985 1,465 38

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

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

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 563 deaths per 100,000 live births in Somalia, compared to 4 deaths in South Korea.

Under-five mortality rates

Somalia
South Korea

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Somalia South Korea
2023 10.4% 0.28%
2022 14.3% 0.28%
2021 11.1% 0.29%
2020 11.4% 0.3%
2019 11.8% 0.31%
2018 13.6% 0.32%
2017 15.5% 0.33%
2016 13% 0.34%
2015 13.4% 0.35%
2014 13.8% 0.36%
2013 14.3% 0.37%
2012 18.4% 0.38%
2011 35.9% 0.4%
2010 18.6% 0.41%
2009 16.2% 0.43%
2008 16.6% 0.45%
2007 17% 0.48%
2006 17.2% 0.52%
2005 17.2% 0.56%
2004 17.2% 0.6%
2003 17.2% 0.64%
2002 17.2% 0.68%
2001 17.2% 0.71%
2000 17.2% 0.75%
1999 17.2% 0.8%
1998 17.2% 0.85%
1997 17.2% 0.91%
1996 17.2% 0.98%
1995 17.2% 1.05%
1994 17.2% 1.14%
1993 17.3% 1.23%
1992 45.6% 1.33%
1991 44.3% 1.44%
1990 18% 1.57%
1989 18.3% 1.71%
1988 18.6% 1.87%
1987 18.8% 2.05%
1986 19% 2.25%
1985 19.3% 2.46%
1984 19.5% 2.7%
1983 19.8% 2.93%
1982 20.1% 3.17%
1981 - 3.4%
1980 - 3.63%
1979 - 3.84%
1978 - 4.04%
1977 - 4.23%
1976 - 4.42%
1975 - 4.61%
1974 - 4.82%
1973 - 5.07%
1972 - 5.36%
1971 - 5.71%
1970 - 6.12%
1969 - 6.59%
1968 - 7.1%
1967 - 7.62%
1966 - 8.16%
1965 - 8.68%
1964 - 9.18%
1963 - 9.67%
1962 - 10.1%
1961 - 10.6%
1960 - 11.2%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 10.4% in Somalia 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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