The total fertility rate of the world has dropped from around five children per woman in 1950, to 2.2 children per woman in 2025, which means that women today are having fewer than half the number of children that women did 75 years ago. Replacement level fertility This change has come as a result of the global demographic transition, and is influenced by factors such as the significant reduction in infant and child mortality, reduced number of child marriages, increased educational and vocational opportunities for women, and the increased efficacy and availability of contraception. While this change has become synonymous with societal progress, it does have wide-reaching demographic impact - if the global average falls below replacement level (roughly 2.1 children per woman), as is expected to happen in the 2050s, then this will lead to long-term population decline on a global scale. Regional variations When broken down by continent, Africa is the only region with a fertility rate above the global average, and, alongside Oceania, it is the only region with a fertility rate above replacement level. Until the 1980s, the average woman in Africa could expect to have 6-7 children over the course of their lifetime, and there are still several countries in Africa where women can still expect to have five or more children in 2025. Historically, Europe has had the lowest fertility rates in the world over the past century, falling below replacement level in 1975. Europe's population has grown through a combination of migration and increasing life expectancy, however even high immigration rates could not prevent its population from going into decline in 2021.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in World was reported at 2.1958 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. World - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Japan fertility rate for 2025 is 1.38, a 0.51% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Japan fertility rate for 2024 was <strong>1.37</strong>, a <strong>0.51% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Japan fertility rate for 2023 was <strong>1.37</strong>, a <strong>0.07% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Japan fertility rate for 2022 was <strong>1.37</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in United States was reported at 1.6165 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

India fertility rate for 2025 is 2.11, a 0.8% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>India fertility rate for 2024 was <strong>2.12</strong>, a <strong>7.44% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>India fertility rate for 2023 was <strong>1.98</strong>, a <strong>0.95% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>India fertility rate for 2022 was <strong>1.99</strong>, a <strong>0.99% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.

With an average of *** births per woman, Afghanistan had the highest fertility rate throughout the Asia-Pacific region in 2024. Pakistan and Papua New Guinea followed with the second and third-highest fertility rates, respectively. In contrast, South Korea and Hong Kong had the lowest fertility rates across the region. Contraception usage Fertility rates among women in the Asia-Pacific region have fallen throughout recent years. A likely reason is an increase in contraception use. However, contraception usage varies greatly throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Although contraception prevalence is set to increase across South Asia by 2030, women in both East Asia and Southeast Asia had higher contraception usage compared to South Asia in 2019. Women in APAC With the rise of feminism and the advancement of human rights, attitudes towards the role of women have changed in the Asia-Pacific region. Achieving gender equality has become a vital necessity for both men and women throughout the region. Alongside changes in traditional gender roles, women in certain Asia-Pacific countries, such as New Zealand, have become more inclined to marry later in life. Furthermore, the focus for younger women appears to be with having stability in their lives and securing an enjoyable job. This was displayed when female high school students in Japan were questioned about their future life aspirations.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Brazil was reported at 1.619 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Brazil - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Canada was reported at 1.26 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Canada - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical chart and dataset showing Taiwan fertility rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Germany DE: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.390 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.455 Ratio for 2022. Germany DE: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.425 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.540 Ratio in 1964 and a record low of 1.240 Ratio in 1994. Germany DE: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

In 2025, there are six countries, all in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average woman of childbearing age can expect to have between 5-6 children throughout their lifetime. In fact, of the 20 countries in the world with the highest fertility rates, Afghanistan and Yemen are the only countries not found in Sub-Saharan Africa. High fertility rates in Africa With a fertility rate of almost six children per woman, Chad is the country with the highest fertility rate in the world. Population growth in Chad is among the highest in the world. Lack of healthcare access, as well as food instability, political instability, and climate change, are all exacerbating conditions that keep Chad's infant mortality rates high, which is generally the driver behind high fertility rates. This situation is common across much of the continent, and, although there has been considerable progress in recent decades, development in Sub-Saharan Africa is not moving as quickly as it did in other regions. Demographic transition While these countries have the highest fertility rates in the world, their rates are all on a generally downward trajectory due to a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. The third stage (of five) of this transition sees birth rates drop in response to decreased infant and child mortality, as families no longer feel the need to compensate for lost children. Eventually, fertility rates fall below replacement level (approximately 2.1 children per woman), which eventually leads to natural population decline once life expectancy plateaus. In some of the most developed countries today, low fertility rates are creating severe econoic and societal challenges as workforces are shrinking while aging populations are placin a greater burden on both public and personal resources.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in China was reported at 0.999 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. China - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Canada fertility rate for 2025 is 1.48, a 0.07% decline from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Canada fertility rate for 2024 was <strong>1.48</strong>, a <strong>0.07% decline</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Canada fertility rate for 2023 was <strong>1.48</strong>, a <strong>0.54% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Canada fertility rate for 2022 was <strong>1.49</strong>, a <strong>0.53% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.

Czech Republic CZ: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.450 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.640 Ratio for 2022. Czech Republic CZ: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.835 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.460 Ratio in 1974 and a record low of 1.130 Ratio in 1999. Czech Republic CZ: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Czech Republic – Table CZ.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

Azerbaijan fertility rate for 2025 is 1.96, a 0.76% decline from 2024.

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<li>Azerbaijan fertility rate for 2024 was <strong>1.98</strong>, a <strong>27.61% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Azerbaijan fertility rate for 2023 was <strong>1.55</strong>, a <strong>7.19% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Azerbaijan fertility rate for 2022 was <strong>1.67</strong>, a <strong>9.87% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.

Austria AT: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.320 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.410 Ratio for 2022. Austria AT: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.475 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.820 Ratio in 1963 and a record low of 1.320 Ratio in 2023. Austria AT: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Austria – Table AT.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics.;Weighted average;Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Mexico was reported at 1.91 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Mexico - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

In 2024, the total fertility rate in Europe was estimated to be 1.4 births per woman compared with 2.7 in 1950. The fertility rate in Europe fell considerably between 1957 and 1999, falling from 2.62 to 1.4.

Fertility rate, total (births per woman) in Turkmenistan was reported at 2.69 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Turkmenistan - Fertility rate, total (births per woman) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Singapore fertility rate for 2025 is 1.26, a 0.48% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Singapore fertility rate for 2024 was <strong>1.25</strong>, a <strong>28.87% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Singapore fertility rate for 2023 was <strong>0.97</strong>, a <strong>6.73% decline</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Singapore fertility rate for 2022 was <strong>1.04</strong>, a <strong>7.14% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.