1962 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1962, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between the crude birth rate and crude death rate, expressed as a percentage—was at a historical high, averaging around 2.2% per year. This period marked the peak of global population growth, often referred to as the “population explosion.” Asia and Africa exhibited the highest RNIs, with many countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia experiencing rates exceeding 2.5% due to high birth rates and rapidly declining death rates following improvements in healthcare and sanitation. Latin America also saw high RNIs, typically between 2% and 3%. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was much lower, often below 1%, as birth rates had already declined significantly in the postwar period, and death rates were relatively stable. North America’s RNI was moderate, generally around 1.5%, reflecting the tail end of the baby boom. Countries such as India, Indonesia, and Nigeria had particularly high RNIs, while nations like Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom had much slower natural increases. This stark contrast between developing and developed regions set the stage for significant demographic changes in the decades that followed.

Data from US Census International Database