1985 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1985, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—stood at approximately 1.7% per year, translating to a rapid expansion of the world’s population. This growth was unevenly distributed across continents and regions. Africa exhibited the highest RNI, often exceeding 2.5%, driven by high fertility rates and declining mortality, while Latin America and parts of Asia, such as South and Southeast Asia, also experienced elevated RNIs around 2% or higher. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was close to zero or even negative in some countries, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations; North America’s RNI was modest, generally below 1%. Within continents, stark contrasts existed: for example, Nigeria and Kenya had RNIs above 3%, while Japan and West Germany had rates near zero or negative. These disparities highlighted the demographic divide between the rapidly growing populations of the developing world and the stable or shrinking populations of many developed nations in 1985.

Data from US Census International Database