List of countries by fertility rate

The total fertility rate (TFR), or often simply 'fertility rate,' in a specific year is defined as the total number of children that would be born to each woman if she were to live to the end of her child-bearing years and give birth to children in alignment with the prevailing age-specific fertility rates.

As of 2026, Chad has the highest total fertility rate in the world, with an average of 5.84 children per woman, followed closely by Somalia at 5.81. Globally, six countries have TFR above 5. Twenty countries and territories report fertility rates over 4, with the majority concentrated in Africa—18 of the top 20, including the eight countries with the highest rates. Outside Africa, only Afghanistan and Yemen maintain fertility rates above 4.

Out of 237 countries and dependent territories estimated by the UN, 101 have a fertility rate above the population replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. Replacement fertility is defined as the total fertility rate at which women give birth to enough children to maintain current population levels.

Macao has the lowest fertility rate of 0.70, followed by Hong Kong (0.75) and South Korea (0.76). Overall, seven countries and regions report fertility rates below one.

Fertility rates have declined in nearly all countries and territories over the past seven decades, with the Holy See as the sole exception. Macao, South Korea, and Taiwan have experienced the largest reductions since 1950, each seeing their fertility rates drop by over 85%. Overall, 148 countries and territories have more than halved their fertility rates during this period.

In 1950, 109 countries and territories had fertility rates above 6, while only four were below the population replacement level of 2.1. By 2026, none of the world’s countries exceed a fertility rate of 6, and 136 now fall below replacement level, reflecting a profound global shift toward lower fertility.