Birth rates

A fertility rate of two children per woman is considered the replacement rate with levels lower than this indicating a declining population– assuming this is not outweighed by migration. Levels much higher than this indicate a growing population.

Complications from pregnancy and childbirth are a leading cause of death and disability among women of reproductive age in developing countries. Because of high mortality and fertility rates women in Africa face a 1 in 22 risk of a pregnancy related death compared to a risk of only 1 in 6,700 to women in high-income countries.