1982 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1982, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—was approximately 1.7% per year, reflecting rapid global population growth. Africa had the highest RNI, often exceeding 2.5% in many countries, due to high fertility rates and declining mortality. Asia, home to over half the world’s population, exhibited an RNI around 2%, with South and Southeast Asia (notably India, Bangladesh, and Indonesia) experiencing higher rates than East Asia, where China’s RNI was beginning to slow due to the early effects of the one-child policy. Latin America’s RNI hovered around 2.3%, with countries like Mexico and Brazil seeing robust natural increases, while Argentina and Uruguay had lower rates. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was the lowest, often below 0.5%, with some Eastern European nations experiencing near-zero or even negative natural increase due to low birth rates and aging populations. North America’s RNI was moderate, with the United States and Canada both below 1%, reflecting lower fertility and higher life expectancy. This disparity in RNI contributed to rapid demographic shifts, with the fastest growth in less developed regions and demographic stagnation or decline in more developed countries.

Data from US Census International Database