Countries by Total Fertility Rate 2026

About This Dataset

Countries ranked by total fertility rate — the average number of children born per woman over her lifetime at current age-specific fertility rates — in 2026, according to UN World Population Prospects 2024 revision data. Niger consistently records the world's highest total fertility rate — with approximately 6.8 children per woman in 2026, a figure that reflects a combination of very early average age at first birth, limited access to modern contraception across most of the country's rural regions, and economic and social structures in rural Sahel communities in which large family sizes remain rational responses to high child mortality, agricultural labour requirements, and the absence of formal old-age support systems. Despite gradual fertility transition underway in urban areas, Niger's overall rate remains dramatically above the global average of approximately 2.3.

✨ AI Insight

Niger's total fertility rate of 6.8 children per woman starkly contrasts with the global average of approximately 2.3, indicating a significant gap in reproductive health and family planning resources. The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali, with TFRs of 6.0 and 5.9 respectively, also reflect similar socio-economic challenges that contribute to high birth rates. Factors such as limited access to contraception, cultural norms favoring larger families, and high child mortality rates are prevalent in these regions. Interestingly, while countries like Uganda (4.8) and Nigeria (5.1) show slightly lower rates, they still exemplify the ongoing struggle for family planning and education in the face of economic pressures and traditional practices.

Source: Wikipedia

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Niger leads with 7 in 2026.

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Average value in 2026: 6 · median: 6.

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Gap in 2026: Niger is 1.4× larger than Uganda.