The Central African Republic recorded the world’s highest birth rate in 2024, with 46.2 live births per 1,000 people, according to data from the World Bank Group. Conversely, San Marino reported the lowest rate at 4.2 births per 1,000 people. These figures highlight a widening demographic divide between Sub-Saharan Africa and developed economies in Europe and Asia.
Global birth rates have declined significantly since the 1960s. The World Bank Group reports that the current global birth rate is less than half of what it was approximately 60 years ago, following the conclusion of the post-WWII baby boom. While the global average stands at 16 births per 1,000 people and a fertility rate of 2.2 births per woman, individual national data varies sharply based on income levels and access to healthcare.
In the United States, the birth rate was 10.6 per 1,000 people in 2024, ranking the country 135th worldwide. The U.S. fertility rate averaged 1.6 births per woman, falling below both the global average and the replacement level. Reports indicate that financial constraints are leading many Americans to delay childbirth, despite a desire for more children.
Sub-Saharan Africa Dominates Highest Birth Rate Rankings
African nations account for 13 of the 15 countries with the highest crude birth rates. The World Bank Group notes a strong correlation between these high rates and limited access to family planning, stating that 10 of the top 15 countries reported a contraceptive prevalence rate for married women of 20% or lower.
The Central African Republic leads the list with 46.2 births per 1,000 people and a fertility rate of approximately 6 births per woman. Chad follows with 43.3 births per 1,000 people and a similar fertility rate of 6 births per woman. Somalia ranks third with 42.3 births per 1,000 people and 6 births per woman.
Other nations with the highest birth rates include Niger (41.4 per 1,000; 5.9 fertility rate) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (40.9 per 1,000; 6 fertility rate). Mali reported 39.5 births per 1,000 people with a fertility rate of 5.5. Angola and Mozambique also show high numbers, recording 37.2 and 37 births per 1,000 people, respectively.
Outside of Africa, Afghanistan ranks ninth with 35 births per 1,000 people and a fertility rate of 4.8. Yemen ranks 12th with 34.4 births per 1,000 people and a fertility rate of 4.5.
Economic Pressures Drive Low Birth Rates in Asia and Europe
Low birth rates are most prevalent in higher-income countries, where economic instability and high living costs discourage larger families. In Japan, the Associated Press reported that “bleak job prospects” and the high cost of living are primary drivers of the decline. A former Japanese prime minister characterized the situation as a “silent emergency.”
San Marino holds the lowest birth rate globally at 4.2 births per 1,000 people. South Korea follows at 4.7 per 1,000, with a particularly low fertility rate of 0.7 births per woman. Ukraine recorded 5.5 births per 1,000 people and a fertility rate of 1 birth per woman.
Japan’s birth rate stands at 5.7 per 1,000 people with a fertility rate of 1.1. Taiwan, though not included in the primary World Bank dataset due to diplomatic status, reported a crude birth rate of 5.8 per 1,000 people in 2024. Data from Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior, cited by Xinhua News Agency, shows the territory recorded 134,856 newborns out of a population of 23.4 million.
European nations also show significant declines. Italy reported 6.3 births per 1,000 people (1.2 fertility rate), and Spain recorded 6.5 per 1,000 (1.1 fertility rate). Greece and Lithuania both reported 6.6 births per 1,000. Other low-rate countries include Andorra (6.9), Poland (6.9), Latvia (6.9), Belarus (7), and Estonia (7.1).
China’s birth rate was 6.8 per 1,000 people, with a fertility rate of approximately 1 birth per woman.
Demographic Data Comparison: High vs. Low Birth Rate Nations
The disparity between the highest and lowest birth rates is stark, often reflecting a gap in healthcare infrastructure and economic security.
| Country | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | Fertility Rate (per woman) |
|---|---|---|
| Central African Republic | 46.2 | ~6 |
| South Korea | 4.7 | ~0.7 |
| San Marino | 4.2 | ~1.2 |
| Somalia | 42.3 | ~6 |
| China | 6.8 | ~1 |
The World Bank Group utilized data from the UN Population Division, the UN Statistical Division, and various national statistics offices to compile these figures. The “crude birth rate” measures the number of live births per 1,000 people in a year, while the “total fertility rate” tracks the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime.