Probability of Being Born on February 29 (Leap Day)

The probability of being born on February 29 is approximately 1 in 1,461. This is calculated because Leap Day occurs once every 4 years (with some exceptions for century years not divisible by 400), giving 1 leap day out of every 1,461 days in a 4-year cycle. Approximately 5 million people worldwide share this unusual birthday.

People born on February 29 are sometimes called "leaplings" or "leapers." They face unique practical and legal issues: most celebrate their birthday on February 28 or March 1 in non-leap years. Different countries and jurisdictions have varying rules about when a leapling legally turns a year older in non-leap years.

Interestingly, birth rates on February 29 are actually slightly lower than the average day because many scheduled cesarean sections and induced labors are deliberately not scheduled for Leap Day. Famous leaplings include motivational speaker Tony Robbins and rapper Ja Rule. The next leap years are 2028, 2032, and 2036.