1950 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1950, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—was notably high, averaging about 1.8% per year. This period marked the onset of the global population boom, driven by declining mortality rates due to improvements in medicine and sanitation, while birth rates remained elevated. Africa and Asia exhibited the highest RNIs, with many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing rates above 2.0% per year. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was much lower, often below 1%, as both birth and death rates had declined earlier due to the demographic transition. North America and Oceania had moderate RNIs, generally between 1% and 1.5%. Latin America’s RNI was also high, frequently exceeding 2%, fueled by youthful populations and high fertility. On the country level, nations like India, Nigeria, and Brazil saw rapid natural increases, while countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom had much slower growth, reflecting regional disparities in demographic trends.

Data from US Census International Database