1970 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1970, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, expressed as a percentage—was at one of its historical peaks, averaging around 2.0% per year. This period marked a time of rapid population growth, especially in developing regions. Africa and Asia exhibited the highest RNIs, often exceeding 2.5% in many countries such as Nigeria, India, and Indonesia, due to high fertility rates and declining mortality. Latin America also experienced a robust RNI, with countries like Brazil and Mexico seeing rates above 2%. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was much lower, frequently below 1%, as many Western European countries had already undergone the demographic transition to lower birth and death rates. North America’s RNI was moderate, with the United States and Canada recording rates between 1% and 1.5%. Thus, while the world as a whole was experiencing rapid population growth in 1970, there were significant contrasts: developing regions in Africa and Asia saw the fastest natural increases, whereas developed countries in Europe and North America had much slower growth rates.

Data from US Census International Database