1977 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1977, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, expressed as a percentage—stood at approximately 1.8% per year, reflecting a period of rapid global population growth. This rate masked significant regional and continental disparities: Africa and Asia experienced the highest RNIs, often exceeding 2.5% in many countries, driven by high fertility rates and declining mortality. Sub-Saharan African nations like Nigeria and Kenya saw RNIs above 3%, while South and Southeast Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia also recorded RNIs between 2% and 2.5%. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was close to zero or even negative in some Eastern European countries, as low birth rates and aging populations slowed growth. North America and Oceania had moderate RNIs, generally between 1% and 1.5%. Latin America’s RNI was high as well, averaging around 2.5%, with countries like Mexico and Brazil leading the trend. These differences highlighted the demographic transition: while developed countries were experiencing slower or stagnant natural increase due to lower fertility, many developing nations were in the midst of a population boom.

Data from US Census International Database