Across much of Africa, birth rates remain the highest on the planet, even as the rest of the world continues trending downward. New data compiled by the World Bank Group (via Business Insider) show that nine of the 10 countries with the world’s highest crude birth rates are in Africa.
The numbers are striking. The Central African Republic led the world with 46.2 births per 1,000 people in 2024, followed by Chad at 43.3 and Somalia at 42.3. Countries including Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania also ranked near the top globally. Most reported fertility rates between roughly five and six births per woman, far above the worldwide average of 2.2.
At the same time, parts of Africa are already moving in the opposite direction. While the continent’s average fertility rate still sits around four births per woman — nearly triple Europe’s average — it has steadily declined from about 6.5 over the past several decades.
Countries such as Mauritius, Cabo Verde, and Tunisia now report fertility rates much closer to those seen in parts of Europe and East Asia, reflecting the impact of urbanization, education, and expanded access to reproductive healthcare.
The contrast becomes even sharper when compared to the countries at the bottom of the global rankings. South Korea posted one of the world’s lowest birth rates at 4.7 births per 1,000 people, alongside a fertility rate of just 0.7 births per woman.
Japan, Ukraine, China, Italy, and Spain also landed near the bottom of the list as economists and policymakers continue linking lower birth rates to rising living costs, housing pressures, and uncertain job markets.
The World Bank data also highlighted major differences within Africa itself. Women living in rural areas average roughly 5.8 births, compared to about 3.9 for women in urban centers.
Access to contraception remains uneven as well. According to the data, eight of the 10 countries with the highest birth rates reported contraceptive use among married women at 20% or lower.
Even with Africa continuing to lead the world in fertility, demographers say the bigger story may be how quickly those numbers are beginning to change. Population experts project the continent’s fertility rate could fall close to replacement level — around two births per woman — by the end of the century.
