1974 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1974, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, expressed as a percentage—stood at approximately 2.0% per year, marking a period of rapid global population growth. This rate varied significantly across continents and regions. Africa and Asia experienced the highest RNIs, with many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia recording rates above 2.5%, driven by high fertility and declining mortality. Latin America also saw high RNIs, typically between 2.5% and 3%. In contrast, Europe had a much lower RNI, often below 0.5%, with some countries experiencing near-zero or even negative natural increase due to low birth rates and aging populations. North America’s RNI was moderate, around 1%, while Oceania’s was somewhat higher, especially in Pacific island nations. Countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia had especially high RNIs, fueling substantial population growth, whereas countries such as West Germany, Hungary, and Sweden saw much slower increases. This contrast highlighted the demographic divide between the rapidly growing Global South and the more stable or aging populations of the Global North during the mid-1970s.

Data from US Census International Database