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Fertility & birth rates in Switzerland and Syria

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has an annual birth rate of 9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 22.1 for Syria. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.33 in Switzerland and 2.71 in Syria — 103.9% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 45.5% in Switzerland and by 63.9% in Syria — in 1960, it was 2.44 and 7.51, respectively.

  • Switzerland is ranked 163/196 by birth rate compared to 61/196 for Syria.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.3 in Switzerland — it's 28.8 in Syria.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 1.48 in Switzerland vs 38.9 in Syria.
  • In Switzerland, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 27.7% in Syria.

Fertility rate in Switzerland vs Syria by year

Switzerland
Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Switzerland Syria
2023 1.33 2.71
2022 1.39 2.75
2021 1.52 2.8
2020 1.46 2.84
2019 1.48 2.88
2018 1.52 2.93
2017 1.52 2.97
2016 1.54 3.01
2015 1.54 3.07
2014 1.54 3.12
2013 1.52 3.17
2012 1.52 3.22
2011 1.52 3.29
2010 1.52 3.36
2009 1.5 3.42
2008 1.48 3.48
2007 1.46 3.54
2006 1.44 3.56
2005 1.42 3.61
2004 1.42 3.68
2003 1.39 3.76
2002 1.39 3.87
2001 1.38 3.98
2000 1.5 4.07
1999 1.48 4.14
1998 1.47 4.25
1997 1.48 4.37
1996 1.5 4.54
1995 1.48 4.7
1994 1.49 4.86
1993 1.51 4.99
1992 1.58 5.14
1991 1.58 5.34
1990 1.58 5.56
1989 1.56 5.78
1988 1.57 6
1987 1.52 6.2
1986 1.53 6.37
1985 1.52 6.48
1984 1.53 6.59
1983 1.52 6.69
1982 1.56 6.81
1981 1.55 6.97
1980 1.55 7.12
1979 1.52 7.25
1978 1.51 7.35
1977 1.53 7.42
1976 1.55 7.45
1975 1.61 7.49
1974 1.73 7.52
1973 1.81 7.55
1972 1.91 7.57
1971 2.04 7.6
1970 2.1 7.62
1969 2.19 7.59
1968 2.29 7.57
1967 2.39 7.56
1966 2.5 7.55
1965 2.59 7.53
1964 2.66 7.53
1963 2.65 7.51
1962 2.58 7.51
1961 2.52 7.5
1960 2.44 7.51

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | CC BY

According to the latest available data on birth rates, the fertility rate in Switzerland was 1.33 children per woman in 2023, compared to 2.71 in Syria in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

Check Switzerland vs Syria population clock for a dynamic visualization of the changing population.

Natural population change by year

Switzerland
Syria
1x
Year Natural population change
Switzerland Syria
2023 8,000 402,713
2022 7,899 369,750
2021 18,279 350,560
2020 9,502 327,992
2019 18,008 293,762
2018 20,434 242,530
2017 20,284 237,214
2016 22,608 236,007
2015 19,050 253,977
2014 21,290 333,116
2013 17,797 419,341
2012 18,393 475,520
2011 18,990 543,950
2010 17,997 558,666
2009 15,487 559,314
2008 15,295 576,593
2007 13,592 529,162
2006 12,723 480,616
2005 11,899 468,960
2004 13,302 461,209
2003 8,807 457,000
2002 10,199 453,967
2001 10,845 451,503
2000 15,806 446,211
1999 16,431 439,261
1998 16,353 433,447
1997 17,722 429,887
1996 19,801 430,765
1995 19,010 430,172
1994 20,982 426,996
1993 21,509 420,244
1992 24,064 412,878
1991 23,800 410,830
1990 20,146 409,177
1989 19,941 406,111
1988 21,099 404,285
1987 15,708 399,159
1986 16,261 390,821
1985 14,882 379,231
1984 16,105 366,768
1983 12,837 355,375
1982 15,339 319,664
1981 13,979 330,237
1980 14,535 332,464
1979 14,477 324,943
1978 13,820 316,724
1977 16,959 306,630
1976 17,017 294,267
1975 22,820 282,299
1974 27,902 270,735
1973 30,906 254,687
1972 35,061 249,027
1971 38,523 239,610
1970 42,648 230,117
1969 44,182 219,114
1968 47,328 209,454
1967 52,128 199,223
1966 53,854 191,122
1965 56,222 182,560
1964 59,050 174,549
1963 52,956 166,555
1962 49,050 159,155
1961 48,365 151,485
1960 42,090 143,687

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | 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 +0.09% in Switzerland and +1.71% in Syria.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.2% in Switzerland and +1.46% in Syria.

Birth rate in Switzerland vs Syria by year

Switzerland
Syria

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Switzerland Syria
2023 9 22.1
2022 9.4 21.2
2021 10.3 21.2
2020 9.9 20.6
2019 10 19.7
2018 10.3 18.9
2017 10.3 19.6
2016 10.5 19.6
2015 10.5 21.3
2014 10.4 23.8
2013 10.2 26.9
2012 10.3 27.7
2011 10.2 28.1
2010 10.3 28.7
2009 10.1 29.2
2008 10 30.5
2007 9.9 29.1
2006 9.8 28.3
2005 9.8 28.8
2004 9.9 29.1
2003 9.8 29.6
2002 9.9 30.1
2001 10 30.7
2000 10.9 31.2
1999 11 31.5
1998 11.1 32
1997 11.4 32.5
1996 11.7 33.3
1995 11.7 34
1994 11.9 34.6
1993 12.1 35
1992 12.6 35.4
1991 12.7 36.3
1990 12.5 37.3
1989 12.2 38.3
1988 12.2 39.4
1987 11.7 40.3
1986 11.7 41
1985 11.5 41.3
1984 11.6 41.5
1983 11.5 41.9
1982 11.7 42.2
1981 11.6 43
1980 11.7 43.7
1979 11.4 44.4
1978 11.4 44.9
1977 11.6 45.3
1976 11.8 45.4
1975 12.4 45.5
1974 13.3 45.6
1973 13.9 45.7
1972 14.6 45.9
1971 15.5 46.2
1970 16.1 46.5
1969 16.7 46.4
1968 17.3 46.5
1967 17.9 46.5
1966 18.5 46.7
1965 19.1 46.7
1964 19.5 46.9
1963 19.3 47
1962 18.7 47.2
1961 18.3 47.3
1960 17.7 47.4

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | CC BY

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9 in Switzerland and 22.1 in Syria, compared with 17.7 and 47.4, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Switzerland Syria
Fertility rate 1.33 2.71
Fertility rate rank 172/196 64/196
Birth rate 9 22.1
Birth rate rank 163/196 61/196
Population change due to births and deaths +8,000 +402,713
Natural population change rank 120/196 44/196
Natural population change rate +0.09% +1.71%
Population growth +1.31% +4.57%
Population growth rank 81/197 6/197
Age at first childbirth 31.3 years n/a
Average age at childbearing 32.3 years 28.8 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.49 37.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 46.6 136.4
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.4 36.3
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 27.7%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 67.3% 37.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 100% 96.2%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.005% 0.02%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.28% 1%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.35% 1.9%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.39% 2.06%
Life expectancy 84.4 years 73.4 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Switzerland
Factual

UN forecast
Syria
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Switzerland Syria
2100 13.4% 15.9%
2099 13.4% 16%
2098 13.5% 16%
2097 13.5% 16.1%
2096 13.5% 16.1%
2095 13.6% 16.1%
2094 13.6% 16.2%
2093 13.6% 16.2%
2092 13.6% 16.2%
2091 13.7% 16.2%
2090 13.7% 16.2%
2089 13.6% 16.2%
2088 13.6% 16.2%
2087 13.6% 16.3%
2086 13.6% 16.4%
2085 13.5% 16.4%
2084 13.5% 16.5%
2083 13.5% 16.7%
2082 13.4% 16.8%
2081 13.4% 17%
2080 13.3% 17.2%
2079 13.3% 17.4%
2078 13.2% 17.6%
2077 13.2% 17.8%
2076 13.2% 18.1%
2075 13.2% 18.3%
2074 13.2% 18.6%
2073 13.2% 18.8%
2072 13.2% 19.1%
2071 13.2% 19.3%
2070 13.3% 19.5%
2069 13.3% 19.6%
2068 13.3% 19.8%
2067 13.4% 19.9%
2066 13.4% 20%
2065 13.5% 20.1%
2064 13.5% 20.1%
2063 13.5% 20.1%
2062 13.6% 20.2%
2061 13.6% 20.2%
2060 13.6% 20.2%
2059 13.6% 20.2%
2058 13.6% 20.3%
2057 13.5% 20.4%
2056 13.5% 20.5%
2055 13.4% 20.7%
2054 13.4% 21%
2053 13.3% 21.3%
2052 13.2% 21.6%
2051 13.1% 22%
2050 13.1% 22.5%
2049 13% 23%
2048 12.9% 23.6%
2047 12.8% 24.2%
2046 12.8% 24.8%
2045 12.8% 25.5%
2044 12.7% 26.1%
2043 12.8% 26.7%
2042 12.8% 27.2%
2041 12.8% 27.8%
2040 12.9% 28.2%
2039 13% 28.6%
2038 13.1% 28.9%
2037 13.2% 29%
2036 13.4% 29%
2035 13.6% 28.9%
2034 13.7% 28.7%
2033 13.9% 28.5%
2032 14.1% 28.1%
2031 14.2% 27.7%
2030 14.4% 27.4%
2029 14.5% 27.3%
2028 14.7% 27.4%
2027 14.8% 27.7%
2026 14.8% 28.1%
2025 14.9% 28.8%
2024 15% 29.2%
2023 15% 30.3%
2022 15.1% 31.9%
2021 15.1% 33.4%
2020 15.1% 34.6%
2019 15% 36.1%
2018 15% 37.9%
2017 14.9% 39.3%
2016 14.9% 40.2%
2015 14.9% 40.6%
2014 14.9% 39.8%
2013 14.9% 38%
2012 15% 36.5%
2011 15.1% 36.1%
2010 15.2% 36.1%
2009 15.3% 36.3%
2008 15.4% 36.3%
2007 15.6% 36.7%
2006 15.9% 38.1%
2005 16.1% 39.1%
2004 16.4% 39.6%
2003 16.6% 40.2%
2002 16.8% 40.8%
2001 17.1% 41.3%
2000 17.4% 41.9%
1999 17.5% 42.4%
1998 17.6% 42.9%
1997 17.6% 43.3%
1996 17.7% 43.8%
1995 17.6% 44.2%
1994 17.6% 44.7%
1993 17.5% 45.2%
1992 17.3% 45.7%
1991 17.2% 46.1%
1990 17.1% 46.6%
1989 17% 46.9%
1988 17.1% 47.2%
1987 17.2% 47.5%
1986 17.4% 47.7%
1985 17.6% 48%
1984 18% 48.2%
1983 18.3% 48.4%
1982 18.8% 48.5%
1981 19.2% 48.7%
1980 19.7% 48.7%
1979 20.3% 48.7%
1978 20.9% 48.7%
1977 21.4% 48.7%
1976 22% 48.6%
1975 22.4% 48.6%
1974 22.8% 48.5%
1973 23.2% 48.5%
1972 23.5% 48.4%
1971 23.7% 48.3%
1970 23.8% 48.2%
1969 23.8% 48%
1968 24% 47.8%
1967 24.1% 47.5%
1966 24.2% 47.3%
1965 24.1% 46.9%
1964 24.1% 46.6%
1963 24.1% 46.3%
1962 24.1% 46.1%
1961 24% 45.7%
1960 24% 45.3%

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/switzerland/syria | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 15% of the population in Switzerland and 29.2% in Syria in 2024, compared to 17.1% and 46.6% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Switzerland and Syria compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | CC BY

Maternal mortality chart: Switzerland vs Syria

Switzerland
Syria
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Switzerland Syria
2023 5 20
2022 4 21
2021 4 30
2020 5 23
2019 6 24
2018 6 21
2017 6 23
2016 7 23
2015 6 24
2014 6 25
2013 7 25
2012 7 22
2011 7 21
2010 7 19
2009 7 19
2008 7 20
2007 7 19
2006 8 20
2005 8 21
2004 8 22
2003 8 24
2002 9 26
2001 8 29
2000 9 31
1999 9 32
1998 10 34
1997 10 34
1996 11 34
1995 12 33
1994 12 32
1993 13 32
1992 13 33
1991 14 35
1990 14 37
1989 14 41
1988 15 44
1987 14 48
1986 14 52
1985 15 55

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | CC BY

The maternal mortality rate, which is the probability of dying during childbirth or within 42 days of pregnancy termination, is 5 deaths per 100,000 live births in Switzerland, compared to 20 deaths in Syria.

Under-five mortality rates

Switzerland
Syria

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Switzerland Syria
2023 0.39% 2.06%
2022 0.4% 2.11%
2021 0.4% 2.1%
2020 0.4% 2.24%
2019 0.4% 2.5%
2018 0.41% 3.26%
2017 0.41% 3.3%
2016 0.42% 3.22%
2015 0.43% 3.7%
2014 0.43% 3.53%
2013 0.44% 3.65%
2012 0.44% 3.39%
2011 0.45% 2.17%
2010 0.46% 1.9%
2009 0.46% 1.9%
2008 0.47% 1.9%
2007 0.48% 1.92%
2006 0.49% 1.95%
2005 0.51% 1.98%
2004 0.52% 2.03%
2003 0.53% 2.09%
2002 0.54% 2.15%
2001 0.55% 2.23%
2000 0.56% 2.32%
1999 0.57% 2.42%
1998 0.58% 2.53%
1997 0.6% 2.66%
1996 0.62% 2.8%
1995 0.64% 2.94%
1994 0.67% 3.09%
1993 0.71% 3.24%
1992 0.75% 3.4%
1991 0.78% 3.55%
1990 0.82% 3.7%
1989 0.84% 3.85%
1988 0.86% 4.02%
1987 0.88% 4.19%
1986 0.89% 4.39%
1985 0.9% 4.6%
1984 0.92% 4.84%
1983 0.94% 5.1%
1982 0.97% 7.06%
1981 1% 6.33%
1980 1.04% 6.03%
1979 1.09% 6.4%
1978 1.14% 6.79%
1977 1.21% 7.19%
1976 1.29% 7.61%
1975 1.38% 8.03%
1974 1.48% 8.47%
1973 1.57% 8.92%
1972 1.67% 9.4%
1971 1.76% 9.91%
1970 1.84% 10.5%
1969 1.92% 11.1%
1968 1.99% 11.7%
1967 2.07% 12.3%
1966 2.16% 12.9%
1965 2.26% 13.5%
1964 2.36% 14.1%
1963 2.45% 14.7%
1962 2.53% 15.3%
1961 2.6% 16.1%
1960 2.65% 16.9%

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/syria | CC BY

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.39% in Switzerland and 2.06% in Syria. 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)

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