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Fertility & birth rates in South Sudan and United States

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has an annual birth rate of 28.6 births per 1,000 people, compared to 10.7 for the United States. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 3.86 in South Sudan and 1.62 in the United States — 58.2% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 46% in South Sudan and by 55.8% in the United States — in 1960, it was 7.16 and 3.65, respectively.

  • South Sudan is ranked 36/196 by birth rate compared to 140/196 for the United States.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 28.4 in South Sudan — it's 30.2 in the United States.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 97.1 in South Sudan vs 13.1 in the United States.
  • In South Sudan, 25.1% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 22.5% in the United States.

Fertility rate in South Sudan vs United States by year

South Sudan
United States
1x
Year Fertility rate
South Sudan United States
2023 3.86 1.62
2022 3.96 1.66
2021 4.05 1.66
2020 4.16 1.64
2019 4.26 1.71
2018 4.37 1.73
2017 4.48 1.77
2016 4.58 1.82
2015 4.7 1.84
2014 4.82 1.86
2013 4.94 1.86
2012 5.06 1.88
2011 5.19 1.89
2010 5.32 1.93
2009 5.45 2
2008 5.57 2.07
2007 5.7 2.12
2006 5.85 2.11
2005 6.02 2.06
2004 6.19 2.05
2003 6.35 2.05
2002 6.52 2.02
2001 6.65 2.03
2000 6.8 2.06
1999 6.94 2.01
1998 7.08 2
1997 7.2 1.97
1996 7.32 1.98
1995 7.34 1.98
1994 7.35 2
1993 7.36 2.02
1992 7.37 2.05
1991 7.38 2.06
1990 7.38 2.08
1989 7.37 2.01
1988 7.38 1.93
1987 7.39 1.87
1986 7.38 1.84
1985 7.36 1.84
1984 7.35 1.81
1983 7.34 1.8
1982 7.34 1.83
1981 7.33 1.81
1980 7.33 1.84
1979 7.32 1.81
1978 7.33 1.76
1977 7.33 1.79
1976 7.33 1.74
1975 7.33 1.77
1974 7.31 1.84
1973 7.31 1.88
1972 7.31 2.01
1971 7.3 2.27
1970 7.29 2.48
1969 7.28 2.46
1968 7.26 2.46
1967 7.26 2.56
1966 7.25 2.72
1965 7.22 2.91
1964 7.22 3.19
1963 7.2 3.32
1962 7.2 3.46
1961 7.18 3.62
1960 7.16 3.65

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in South Sudan was 3.86 children per woman in 2023, compared to 1.62 in the United States in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check South Sudan vs the United States population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

South Sudan
United States
1x
Year Natural population change
South Sudan United States
2023 217,966 502,372
2022 211,166 399,926
2021 213,567 199,137
2020 212,332 208,862
2019 209,708 887,476
2018 168,497 955,022
2017 72,193 1,028,037
2016 110,553 1,197,627
2015 148,542 1,270,126
2014 227,611 1,357,281
2013 315,983 1,322,711
2012 312,974 1,411,822
2011 303,181 1,441,697
2010 287,409 1,548,182
2009 278,859 1,717,920
2008 268,268 1,794,154
2007 256,546 1,897,757
2006 246,706 1,849,955
2005 239,272 1,684,445
2004 231,877 1,698,271
2003 225,822 1,653,615
2002 212,014 1,581,938
2001 204,108 1,595,826
2000 196,055 1,664,758
1999 180,721 1,564,050
1998 -12,157 1,573,857
1997 121,454 1,501,014
1996 116,728 1,510,137
1995 110,417 1,546,031
1994 165,407 1,633,302
1993 32,779 1,717,685
1992 28,874 1,875,328
1991 87,873 1,926,543
1990 82,900 2,026,068
1989 83,735 1,875,826
1988 -125,447 1,735,943
1987 5,756 1,720,252
1986 99,502 1,656,917
1985 95,342 1,689,258
1984 90,970 1,627,192
1983 104,107 1,636,544
1982 118,641 1,714,317
1981 115,163 1,652,153
1980 112,307 1,608,450
1979 109,540 1,597,894
1978 107,352 1,402,283
1977 104,886 1,431,556
1976 102,346 1,264,604
1975 99,882 1,252,644
1974 97,181 1,218,968
1973 94,765 1,165,499
1972 74,803 1,301,355
1971 72,308 1,640,519
1970 44,776 1,824,965
1969 42,015 1,702,487
1968 44,213 1,565,507
1967 41,357 1,669,181
1966 38,523 1,749,387
1965 51,682 1,943,030
1964 64,786 2,245,099
1963 46,333 2,289,826
1962 47,406 2,406,337
1961 45,186 2,571,681
1960 42,945 2,565,530

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | 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 +1.9% in South Sudan and +0.15% in the United States.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +1.65% in South Sudan and +0.25% in the United States.

Birth rate in South Sudan vs United States by year

South Sudan
United States

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
South Sudan United States
2023 28.6 10.7
2022 29.1 11
2021 29.7 11
2020 29.4 10.9
2019 29.4 11.4
2018 29.1 11.6
2017 32.8 11.8
2016 35.1 12.2
2015 35.4 12.4
2014 38.2 12.5
2013 38.3 12.4
2012 39.1 12.6
2011 39.8 12.7
2010 39.9 13
2009 41 13.5
2008 41.6 14
2007 42.3 14.3
2006 43.2 14.3
2005 44.3 14
2004 45.5 14
2003 46.8 14.1
2002 48 14
2001 48.9 14.1
2000 49.8 14.4
1999 50.7 14.2
1998 51.2 14.3
1997 51.6 14.2
1996 52.6 14.4
1995 52.7 14.6
1994 52.7 15
1993 52.7 15.4
1992 52.5 15.8
1991 52.4 16.2
1990 52.3 16.7
1989 53.1 16.4
1988 51.9 16
1987 50.6 15.7
1986 50.6 15.6
1985 50.7 15.8
1984 50.8 15.6
1983 51.1 15.6
1982 51.4 15.9
1981 51.7 15.8
1980 52 15.9
1979 52.3 15.6
1978 52.7 15
1977 53 15.1
1976 53.4 14.6
1975 53.7 14.6
1974 53.9 14.8
1973 54.3 14.8
1972 54.5 15.6
1971 54.6 17.2
1970 54.5 18.4
1969 54.3 17.9
1968 54 17.6
1967 53.7 17.8
1966 53.5 18.4
1965 53.1 19.4
1964 53 21.1
1963 52.7 21.7
1962 52.5 22.4
1961 52.3 23.3
1960 52 23.7

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 28.6 in South Sudan and 10.7 in the United States, compared with 52 and 23.7, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

South Sudan United States
Fertility rate 3.86 1.62
Fertility rate rank 31/196 125/196
Birth rate 28.6 10.7
Birth rate rank 36/196 140/196
Population change due to births and deaths +217,966 +502,372
Natural population change rank 58/196 37/196
Natural population change rate +1.9% +0.15%
Population growth +4.01% +0.49%
Population growth rank 7/197 134/197
Age at first childbirth n/a 27.3 years
Average age at childbearing 28.4 years 30.2 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 95.7 11.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 173.3 72.5
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 43.7 17.4
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 25.1% 22.5%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 1.59% 66.1%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 39.7% 99.1%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.69% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 4.02% 0.34%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 7.26% 0.55%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 9.87% 0.65%
Life expectancy 58 years 79.8 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

South Sudan
Factual

UN forecast
United States
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
South Sudan United States
2100 20.1% 14.4%
2099 20.2% 14.4%
2098 20.3% 14.4%
2097 20.3% 14.4%
2096 20.4% 14.4%
2095 20.5% 14.5%
2094 20.6% 14.5%
2093 20.7% 14.5%
2092 20.9% 14.5%
2091 21% 14.6%
2090 21.1% 14.6%
2089 21.2% 14.7%
2088 21.3% 14.7%
2087 21.5% 14.7%
2086 21.6% 14.8%
2085 21.8% 14.8%
2084 21.9% 14.8%
2083 22.1% 14.9%
2082 22.3% 14.9%
2081 22.4% 14.9%
2080 22.6% 14.9%
2079 22.8% 14.9%
2078 23% 14.9%
2077 23.2% 14.9%
2076 23.3% 14.9%
2075 23.5% 14.9%
2074 23.7% 14.9%
2073 23.9% 14.9%
2072 24.1% 14.9%
2071 24.3% 14.9%
2070 24.5% 14.9%
2069 24.7% 14.9%
2068 25% 14.9%
2067 25.2% 14.9%
2066 25.4% 14.9%
2065 25.6% 15%
2064 25.8% 15%
2063 26% 15%
2062 26.3% 15.1%
2061 26.5% 15.1%
2060 26.7% 15.2%
2059 27% 15.3%
2058 27.2% 15.4%
2057 27.5% 15.5%
2056 27.8% 15.5%
2055 28.1% 15.6%
2054 28.5% 15.7%
2053 28.8% 15.8%
2052 29.2% 15.8%
2051 29.5% 15.9%
2050 29.9% 15.9%
2049 30.3% 16%
2048 30.8% 16%
2047 31.2% 16%
2046 31.6% 16%
2045 32% 16%
2044 32.4% 16%
2043 32.7% 16%
2042 33% 16%
2041 33.3% 15.9%
2040 33.6% 15.9%
2039 33.8% 15.9%
2038 33.9% 15.9%
2037 34.1% 15.9%
2036 34.2% 15.9%
2035 34.3% 15.9%
2034 34.4% 15.9%
2033 34.3% 16%
2032 34.4% 16.1%
2031 34.6% 16.2%
2030 34.8% 16.3%
2029 35.2% 16.5%
2028 35.8% 16.6%
2027 36.6% 16.8%
2026 37.5% 17%
2025 38.4% 17.2%
2024 38.9% 17.3%
2023 39.9% 17.6%
2022 40.9% 17.9%
2021 41.6% 18.1%
2020 42.4% 18.4%
2019 43.6% 18.6%
2018 44.9% 18.8%
2017 45% 18.9%
2016 43.7% 19.1%
2015 43.1% 19.2%
2014 42.5% 19.3%
2013 41.9% 19.4%
2012 41.9% 19.5%
2011 42.2% 19.6%
2010 42.8% 19.7%
2009 43.4% 19.8%
2008 43.8% 19.9%
2007 44.3% 20%
2006 44.8% 20.2%
2005 45.3% 20.3%
2004 45.8% 20.5%
2003 45.9% 20.7%
2002 45.7% 20.9%
2001 45.5% 21%
2000 45.5% 21.2%
1999 45.6% 21.3%
1998 45.8% 21.4%
1997 46% 21.5%
1996 46% 21.7%
1995 45.8% 21.8%
1994 45.8% 21.9%
1993 45.7% 21.9%
1992 45.6% 21.8%
1991 45.5% 21.7%
1990 45.4% 21.6%
1989 45.4% 21.5%
1988 46.2% 21.3%
1987 46.9% 21.3%
1986 46.7% 21.3%
1985 46.6% 21.5%
1984 46.5% 21.7%
1983 46.3% 21.8%
1982 46.2% 22%
1981 46% 22.1%
1980 45.8% 22.4%
1979 45.7% 22.8%
1978 45.5% 23.2%
1977 45.4% 23.8%
1976 45.3% 24.4%
1975 45.2% 25.2%
1974 45.1% 25.9%
1973 45% 26.6%
1972 44.8% 27.4%
1971 44.7% 28%
1970 44.5% 28.6%
1969 44.3% 29%
1968 44% 29.5%
1967 43.8% 30%
1966 43.5% 30.4%
1965 43.3% 30.7%
1964 43% 30.9%
1963 42.8% 31.1%
1962 42.6% 31.3%
1961 42.6% 31.4%
1960 42.5% 31.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 38.9% of the population in South Sudan and 17.3% in the United States in 2024, compared to 45.4% and 21.6% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of South Sudan and the United States compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: South Sudan vs United States

South Sudan
United States
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
South Sudan United States
2023 692 17
2022 704 20
2021 749 31
2020 729 22
2019 745 18
2018 913 18
2017 1,662 18
2016 1,629 18
2015 1,436 17
2014 1,216 17
2013 771 16
2012 755 16
2011 770 15
2010 776 15
2009 823 15
2008 858 14
2007 933 13
2006 1,005 13
2005 1,074 13
2004 1,150 13
2003 1,199 13
2002 1,521 13
2001 1,580 13
2000 1,658 12
1999 2,048 12
1998 7,514 11
1997 4,172 11
1996 4,357 11
1995 4,430 12
1994 1,666 11
1993 7,537 12
1992 7,597 11
1991 4,764 12
1990 4,877 12
1989 5,103 12
1988 5,535 12
1987 8,045 11
1986 3,720 11
1985 3,845 11

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 692 deaths per 100,000 live births in South Sudan, compared to 17 deaths in the United States.

U.S. figures are less comparable to other countries, because reporting changes between 2003 and 2018 doubled the number of maternal deaths captured in official records without an actual doubling in mortality, and coding was revised again in 2018.

Under-five mortality rates

South Sudan
United States

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
South Sudan United States
2023 9.87% 0.65%
2022 9.87% 0.65%
2021 9.87% 0.65%
2020 9.87% 0.65%
2019 9.87% 0.65%
2018 13.2% 0.65%
2017 27.8% 0.66%
2016 26.4% 0.67%
2015 23.7% 0.68%
2014 18.2% 0.68%
2013 9.92% 0.69%
2012 10.1% 0.7%
2011 10.5% 0.72%
2010 10.9% 0.73%
2009 11.5% 0.75%
2008 12.1% 0.76%
2007 12.7% 0.77%
2006 13.4% 0.79%
2005 14.1% 0.8%
2004 14.8% 0.81%
2003 15.7% 0.81%
2002 16.5% 0.82%
2001 17.4% 0.83%
2000 18.3% 0.84%
1999 19.2% 0.86%
1998 42.6% 0.87%
1997 25.2% 0.89%
1996 26.1% 0.92%
1995 27% 0.95%
1994 23% 0.98%
1993 33.1% 1.01%
1992 33.8% 1.05%
1991 29.7% 1.09%
1990 30.3% 1.12%
1989 30.7% 1.16%
1988 76.7% 1.19%
1987 36% 1.21%
1986 26.7% 1.24%
1985 27.1% 1.27%
1984 27.5% 1.3%
1983 27.8% 1.34%
1982 28.2% 1.39%
1981 28.5% 1.44%
1980 28.9% 1.5%
1979 29.2% 1.56%
1978 29.5% 1.63%
1977 29.9% 1.71%
1976 30.2% 1.79%
1975 30.6% 1.88%
1974 30.9% 1.97%
1973 31.3% 2.06%
1972 31.6% 2.15%
1971 31.9% 2.24%
1970 32.3% 2.32%
1969 32.6% 2.41%
1968 32.9% 2.49%
1967 33.3% 2.57%
1966 33.6% 2.64%
1965 34% 2.71%
1964 34.3% 2.77%
1963 34.6% 2.83%
1962 34.9% 2.89%
1961 35.2% 2.95%
1960 35.5% 3.01%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/south-sudan/united-states | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 9.87% in South Sudan and 0.65% in the United States. 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2021, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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