Countries by Crude Birth Rate 2026

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by crude birth rate — the number of live births per 1,000 population — in 2026, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 revision estimates. Sub-Saharan African nations dominate the upper end of global birth rate rankings — with Niger recording the world's highest crude birth rate at approximately 46.8 births per thousand people annually, a figure that implies a population doubling time of under 19 years. These high birth rates reflect a combination of high total fertility rates averaging above 6 children per woman in the highest-ranked countries, young population age structures that maximise the proportion of women in reproductive age groups, limited access to modern contraception, and cultural and economic contexts in which large family sizes remain both socially normative and rationally motivated by child labour contribution to household economies and old-age security provision.

✨ AI Insight

The data reveals a stark contrast between the highest and lowest crude birth rates, with Niger's 46.8 births per 1,000 people significantly outpacing Mali's 42.0 and Chad's 41.5. This gap highlights the demographic challenges faced by these nations, where cultural norms and economic factors encourage larger family sizes. The trend suggests that while some countries are experiencing rapid population growth, others may struggle with the implications of such high birth rates, including resource allocation and economic development. For instance, Nigeria, with a crude birth rate of 36.9, also reflects the pressures of a burgeoning population in a country already facing significant socio-economic challenges.

Source: Wikipedia

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Niger leads with 47 in 2026.

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Average value in 2026: 41 · median: 41.

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Gap in 2026: Niger is 1.3× larger than Nigeria.