1975 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1975, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between crude birth and death rates, excluding migration—stood at approximately 1.9% per year, reflecting the rapid population growth characteristic of the mid-20th century. This rate, however, 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 birth rates and declining mortality due to improvements in healthcare. Latin America also saw elevated RNIs, often between 2% and 3%. In contrast, Europe had the lowest RNI, with many Western and Eastern European countries registering rates below 1%, and some even approaching zero or negative growth, due to low birth rates and aging populations. North America’s RNI was moderate, typically around 1%, reflecting a demographic transition toward lower fertility. Countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia had high RNIs, fueling rapid population growth, while nations such as Germany, Sweden, and Japan had much lower rates, highlighting stark contrasts in demographic trends across the world in 1975.

RankCountryRate of Natural IncreasePopulation
1Côte d'Ivoire3.4917,030,905
2Nicaragua3.412,394,739
3Bhutan3.035381,119
4Nigeria2.88564,573,627
5Paraguay2.872,848,211
6Congo Brazzaville2.8371,455,024
7Ghana2.8229,932,069
8Angola2.8046,850,747
9Congo Kinshasa2.78925,032,227
10Somalia2.654,127,771
11Madagascar2.6147,603,790
12Central African Republic2.6092,057,734
13Uganda2.60710,805,057
14Djibouti2.599225,506
15Colombia2.49224,224,991
16Lebanon2.4812,692,031
17Liberia2.3781,617,718
18Brazil2.376107,587,545
19Haiti2.2664,962,897
20Nepal2.16213,145,618
21Guinea2.0753,934,764
22Burma2.05730,329,791
23Sierra Leone1.93,036,737
24Cambodia-3.2617,559,049

Data from US Census International Database