1958 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1958, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—was notably high, reflecting the post-World War II baby boom and improvements in healthcare. Globally, the RNI hovered around 1.8% per year. Asia and Africa exhibited the highest rates, with many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing RNI values above 2.5%, driven by high fertility and declining mortality. Latin America also saw elevated RNI, typically between 2% and 3%. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was much lower, often below 1%, as birth rates had already begun to decline and populations were aging. North America’s RNI was moderate, around 1.5%, as the baby boom was tapering off. Countries like India and Nigeria had among the highest RNIs, while nations such as Germany and Sweden had some of the lowest, highlighting stark contrasts between developing and developed regions during this period.

Data from US Census International Database