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Fertility & birth rates in Switzerland and Zambia

Updated on by Georank team

Switzerland has an annual birth rate of 9 births per 1,000 people, compared to 33.1 for Zambia. The average number of children a woman is expected to have during her lifetime — the fertility rate, is 1.33 in Switzerland and 4.1 in Zambia — 208.3% difference.

1960 vs 2023, the fertility rate has decreased by 45.5% in Switzerland and by 41% in Zambia — in 1960, it was 2.44 and 6.95, respectively.

  • Switzerland is ranked 163/196 by birth rate compared to 19/196 for Zambia.
  • The mean age for first-time mothers is 31.3 years in Switzerland, compared to 19.2 years in Zambia.
  • The mean age at childbearing (for all the births, not just the first) is 32.3 in Switzerland — it's 28.3 in Zambia.
  • Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 (adolescent birth rate or teenage mother rate) is 1.48 in Switzerland vs 115.9 in Zambia.
  • In Switzerland, 21.5% of the population is composed of women of reproductive age (15-49), compared to 25.3% in Zambia.

Fertility rate in Switzerland vs Zambia by year

Switzerland
Zambia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Switzerland Zambia
2023 1.33 4.1
2022 1.39 4.18
2021 1.52 4.25
2020 1.46 4.32
2019 1.48 4.42
2018 1.52 4.49
2017 1.52 4.57
2016 1.54 4.67
2015 1.54 4.78
2014 1.54 4.89
2013 1.52 5.01
2012 1.52 5.14
2011 1.52 5.26
2010 1.52 5.36
2009 1.5 5.45
2008 1.48 5.53
2007 1.46 5.61
2006 1.44 5.68
2005 1.42 5.7
2004 1.42 5.7
2003 1.39 5.71
2002 1.39 5.77
2001 1.38 5.85
2000 1.5 5.92
1999 1.48 6
1998 1.47 6.07
1997 1.48 6.12
1996 1.5 6.18
1995 1.48 6.23
1994 1.49 6.26
1993 1.51 6.3
1992 1.58 6.35
1991 1.58 6.46
1990 1.58 6.57
1989 1.56 6.64
1988 1.57 6.7
1987 1.52 6.8
1986 1.53 6.87
1985 1.52 6.93
1984 1.53 6.97
1983 1.52 7.01
1982 1.56 7.04
1981 1.55 7.07
1980 1.55 7.14
1979 1.52 7.22
1978 1.51 7.29
1977 1.53 7.35
1976 1.55 7.39
1975 1.61 7.42
1974 1.73 7.36
1973 1.81 7.34
1972 1.91 7.3
1971 2.04 7.26
1970 2.1 7.22
1969 2.19 7.18
1968 2.29 7.18
1967 2.39 7.15
1966 2.5 7.14
1965 2.59 7.12
1964 2.66 7.09
1963 2.65 7.06
1962 2.58 7.01
1961 2.52 6.98
1960 2.44 6.95

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/zambia | 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 4.1 in Zambia in 2023. The replacement level is considered to be 2.1 children per woman.

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

Natural population change by year

Switzerland
Zambia
1x
Year Natural population change
Switzerland Zambia
2023 8,000 577,660
2022 7,899 563,456
2021 18,279 535,629
2020 9,502 536,484
2019 18,008 528,089
2018 20,434 515,644
2017 20,284 504,630
2016 22,608 497,521
2015 19,050 491,021
2014 21,290 483,663
2013 17,797 476,846
2012 18,393 469,406
2011 18,990 459,743
2010 17,997 448,337
2009 15,487 434,458
2008 15,295 419,560
2007 13,592 403,729
2006 12,723 387,891
2005 11,899 368,756
2004 13,302 349,352
2003 8,807 331,189
2002 10,199 316,041
2001 10,845 302,682
2000 15,806 293,186
1999 16,431 283,297
1998 16,353 275,568
1997 17,722 268,198
1996 19,801 262,468
1995 19,010 257,897
1994 20,982 252,023
1993 21,509 245,917
1992 24,064 239,953
1991 23,800 237,957
1990 20,146 235,835
1989 19,941 233,429
1988 21,099 230,118
1987 15,708 227,813
1986 16,261 224,768
1985 14,882 221,351
1984 16,105 216,695
1983 12,837 212,712
1982 15,339 207,621
1981 13,979 202,822
1980 14,535 198,817
1979 14,477 197,578
1978 13,820 194,933
1977 16,959 191,557
1976 17,017 186,762
1975 22,820 182,258
1974 27,902 174,484
1973 30,906 168,258
1972 35,061 161,648
1971 38,523 155,249
1970 42,648 149,380
1969 44,182 142,660
1968 47,328 137,315
1967 52,128 131,938
1966 53,854 127,164
1965 56,222 122,814
1964 59,050 117,197
1963 52,956 114,555
1962 49,050 110,173
1961 48,365 106,318
1960 42,090 102,335

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/zambia | 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 +2.79% in Zambia.

For the past 10 years, the annual natural population change has been +0.2% in Switzerland and +2.87% in Zambia.

Birth rate in Switzerland vs Zambia by year

Switzerland
Zambia

Annual births per 1,000 people

1x
Year Annual births per 1,000 people
Switzerland Zambia
2023 9 33.1
2022 9.4 33.5
2021 10.3 33.9
2020 9.9 34.4
2019 10 35
2018 10.3 35.5
2017 10.3 35.9
2016 10.5 36.6
2015 10.5 37.3
2014 10.4 38.1
2013 10.2 39
2012 10.3 39.9
2011 10.2 40.7
2010 10.3 41.4
2009 10.1 42
2008 10 42.6
2007 9.9 43.2
2006 9.8 43.7
2005 9.8 43.8
2004 9.9 43.9
2003 9.8 43.9
2002 9.9 44.3
2001 10 44.8
2000 10.9 45.5
1999 11 45.9
1998 11.1 46.2
1997 11.4 46.3
1996 11.7 46.6
1995 11.7 46.8
1994 11.9 46.7
1993 12.1 46.6
1992 12.6 46.6
1991 12.7 46.9
1990 12.5 47
1989 12.2 47.1
1988 12.2 47.1
1987 11.7 47.3
1986 11.7 47.4
1985 11.5 47.4
1984 11.6 47.3
1983 11.5 47.3
1982 11.7 47.3
1981 11.6 47.3
1980 11.7 47.5
1979 11.4 48.2
1978 11.4 48.7
1977 11.6 49.2
1976 11.8 49.5
1975 12.4 50
1974 13.3 49.7
1973 13.9 49.7
1972 14.6 49.6
1971 15.5 49.4
1970 16.1 49.3
1969 16.7 48.9
1968 17.3 48.9
1967 17.9 48.8
1966 18.5 48.8
1965 19.1 48.8
1964 19.5 48.9
1963 19.3 48.9
1962 18.7 48.9
1961 18.3 48.9
1960 17.7 48.9

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

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

The latest reported birth rate per 1,000 people in 2023 was 9 in Switzerland and 33.1 in Zambia, compared with 17.7 and 48.9, respectively, in 1960.

Birth rate data compared

Switzerland Zambia
Fertility rate 1.33 4.1
Fertility rate rank 172/196 24/196
Birth rate 9 33.1
Birth rate rank 163/196 19/196
Population change due to births and deaths +8,000 +577,660
Natural population change rank 120/196 34/196
Natural population change rate +0.09% +2.79%
Population growth +1.31% +2.85%
Population growth rank 81/197 21/197
Age at first childbirth 31.3 years 19.2 years
Average age at childbearing 32.3 years 28.3 years
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 1.49 115.9
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 20-29 46.6 176.3
Annual births per 1,000 women ages 30+ 18.4 64.8
Female of reproductive age (15-49), share of population 21.5% 25.3%
Any modern method of contraceptive prevalence among married women ages 15-49 67.3% 47.5%
Share of births attended by skilled health staff 100% 80.4%
Maternal mortality per live birth 0.005% 0.09%
Neonatal mortality rate (before reaching 28 days of age) 0.28% 2.2%
Infant mortality rate (before reaching 1 year of age) 0.35% 3.09%
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age 0.39% 4.47%
Life expectancy 84.4 years 66.9 years

Children 0-14 years as share of population

Switzerland
Factual

UN forecast
Zambia
Factual

UN forecast
1x
Year Young
Switzerland Zambia
2100 13.4% 21.6%
2099 13.4% 21.7%
2098 13.5% 21.9%
2097 13.5% 22%
2096 13.5% 22.2%
2095 13.6% 22.3%
2094 13.6% 22.5%
2093 13.6% 22.7%
2092 13.6% 22.8%
2091 13.7% 23%
2090 13.7% 23.1%
2089 13.6% 23.3%
2088 13.6% 23.5%
2087 13.6% 23.6%
2086 13.6% 23.8%
2085 13.5% 24%
2084 13.5% 24.2%
2083 13.5% 24.3%
2082 13.4% 24.5%
2081 13.4% 24.7%
2080 13.3% 24.9%
2079 13.3% 25.1%
2078 13.2% 25.3%
2077 13.2% 25.5%
2076 13.2% 25.7%
2075 13.2% 25.9%
2074 13.2% 26.1%
2073 13.2% 26.4%
2072 13.2% 26.6%
2071 13.2% 26.8%
2070 13.3% 27%
2069 13.3% 27.2%
2068 13.3% 27.5%
2067 13.4% 27.7%
2066 13.4% 27.9%
2065 13.5% 28.1%
2064 13.5% 28.4%
2063 13.5% 28.6%
2062 13.6% 28.9%
2061 13.6% 29.1%
2060 13.6% 29.3%
2059 13.6% 29.6%
2058 13.6% 29.8%
2057 13.5% 30.1%
2056 13.5% 30.4%
2055 13.4% 30.6%
2054 13.4% 30.9%
2053 13.3% 31.2%
2052 13.2% 31.5%
2051 13.1% 31.8%
2050 13.1% 32.2%
2049 13% 32.5%
2048 12.9% 32.8%
2047 12.8% 33.2%
2046 12.8% 33.5%
2045 12.8% 33.9%
2044 12.7% 34.2%
2043 12.8% 34.6%
2042 12.8% 34.9%
2041 12.8% 35.3%
2040 12.9% 35.6%
2039 13% 36%
2038 13.1% 36.3%
2037 13.2% 36.6%
2036 13.4% 37%
2035 13.6% 37.3%
2034 13.7% 37.6%
2033 13.9% 38%
2032 14.1% 38.3%
2031 14.2% 38.7%
2030 14.4% 39%
2029 14.5% 39.4%
2028 14.7% 39.8%
2027 14.8% 40.3%
2026 14.8% 40.7%
2025 14.9% 41.2%
2024 15% 41.5%
2023 15% 42%
2022 15.1% 42.4%
2021 15.1% 42.9%
2020 15.1% 43.3%
2019 15% 43.8%
2018 15% 44.1%
2017 14.9% 44.5%
2016 14.9% 44.9%
2015 14.9% 45.2%
2014 14.9% 45.5%
2013 14.9% 45.7%
2012 15% 45.9%
2011 15.1% 46.1%
2010 15.2% 46.3%
2009 15.3% 46.4%
2008 15.4% 46.6%
2007 15.6% 46.8%
2006 15.9% 47%
2005 16.1% 47.1%
2004 16.4% 47.3%
2003 16.6% 47.4%
2002 16.8% 47.6%
2001 17.1% 47.8%
2000 17.4% 48%
1999 17.5% 48.1%
1998 17.6% 48.2%
1997 17.6% 48.2%
1996 17.7% 48.2%
1995 17.6% 48.2%
1994 17.6% 48.2%
1993 17.5% 48.2%
1992 17.3% 48.2%
1991 17.2% 48.3%
1990 17.1% 48.4%
1989 17% 48.5%
1988 17.1% 48.6%
1987 17.2% 48.7%
1986 17.4% 48.8%
1985 17.6% 48.9%
1984 18% 49%
1983 18.3% 49.1%
1982 18.8% 49.3%
1981 19.2% 49.4%
1980 19.7% 49.5%
1979 20.3% 49.5%
1978 20.9% 49.4%
1977 21.4% 49.2%
1976 22% 49.1%
1975 22.4% 48.8%
1974 22.8% 48.6%
1973 23.2% 48.3%
1972 23.5% 48%
1971 23.7% 47.7%
1970 23.8% 47.4%
1969 23.8% 47.2%
1968 24% 47.1%
1967 24.1% 47%
1966 24.2% 46.9%
1965 24.1% 46.9%
1964 24.1% 46.7%
1963 24.1% 46.5%
1962 24.1% 46.3%
1961 24% 46.2%
1960 24% 46%

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/zambia | CC BY

Children aged 0-14 make up 15% of the population in Switzerland and 41.5% in Zambia in 2024, compared to 17.1% and 48.4% respectively in 1990.

Demographics of Switzerland and Zambia compared.

Fertility rates around the globe

1x

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

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

Maternal mortality chart: Switzerland vs Zambia

Switzerland
Zambia
1x
Year Maternal mortality per 100K births
Switzerland Zambia
2023 5 85
2022 4 89
2021 4 140
2020 5 99
2019 6 103
2018 6 117
2017 6 141
2016 7 158
2015 6 154
2014 6 174
2013 7 213
2012 7 256
2011 7 291
2010 7 332
2009 7 406
2008 7 394
2007 7 324
2006 8 262
2005 8 264
2004 8 260
2003 8 250
2002 9 274
2001 8 306
2000 9 340
1999 9 378
1998 10 392
1997 10 403
1996 11 433
1995 12 466
1994 12 507
1993 13 532
1992 13 581
1991 14 611
1990 14 625
1989 14 635
1988 15 635
1987 14 630
1986 14 619
1985 15 596

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

GeoRank.org/birth-rate/switzerland/zambia | 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 85 deaths in Zambia.

Under-five mortality rates

Switzerland
Zambia

Probability that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five

1x
Year Under 5 mortality rate
Switzerland Zambia
2023 0.39% 4.47%
2022 0.4% 4.67%
2021 0.4% 4.92%
2020 0.4% 5.24%
2019 0.4% 5.41%
2018 0.41% 5.52%
2017 0.41% 5.61%
2016 0.42% 5.9%
2015 0.43% 6.15%
2014 0.43% 6.38%
2013 0.44% 6.72%
2012 0.44% 7.04%
2011 0.45% 7.31%
2010 0.46% 7.57%
2009 0.46% 8%
2008 0.47% 8.62%
2007 0.48% 9.14%
2006 0.49% 9.71%
2005 0.51% 10.5%
2004 0.52% 11.4%
2003 0.53% 12.4%
2002 0.54% 13.4%
2001 0.55% 14.4%
2000 0.56% 15.3%
1999 0.57% 15.9%
1998 0.58% 16.3%
1997 0.6% 16.7%
1996 0.62% 17%
1995 0.64% 17.3%
1994 0.67% 17.7%
1993 0.71% 17.9%
1992 0.75% 18.1%
1991 0.78% 18.1%
1990 0.82% 18.1%
1989 0.84% 17.9%
1988 0.86% 17.7%
1987 0.88% 17.3%
1986 0.89% 17%
1985 0.9% 16.6%
1984 0.92% 16.2%
1983 0.94% 15.9%
1982 0.97% 15.7%
1981 1% 15.6%
1980 1.04% 15.5%
1979 1.09% 15.4%
1978 1.14% 15.3%
1977 1.21% 15.3%
1976 1.29% 15.4%
1975 1.38% 15.5%
1974 1.48% 15.9%
1973 1.57% 16.3%
1972 1.67% 16.9%
1971 1.76% 17.4%
1970 1.84% 17.9%
1969 1.92% 18.3%
1968 1.99% 18.5%
1967 2.07% 18.7%
1966 2.16% 18.9%
1965 2.26% 19%
1964 2.36% 19.2%
1963 2.45% 19.5%
1962 2.53% 19.8%
1961 2.6% 20.1%
1960 2.65% 20.5%

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

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

The chance that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five is 0.39% in Switzerland and 4.47% in Zambia. 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)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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