1979 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1979, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—was approximately 1.8% per year, reflecting a period of rapid population growth. This rate, however, varied significantly across continents and regions. Africa and parts of Asia, particularly South and Southeast Asia, exhibited the highest RNIs, often exceeding 2.5% annually, driven by high fertility rates and declining mortality. Latin America also experienced robust growth, with RNIs commonly between 2% and 2.5%. In contrast, Europe saw much lower rates, 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 had moderate growth, with the United States and Canada posting RNIs around 0.8–1.2%. Countries like India, Nigeria, and Indonesia had some of the highest RNIs, while nations such as West Germany, Hungary, and Sweden were among those with the lowest, highlighting the demographic divide between developing and developed regions during this period.

Data from US Census International Database