1998 Rate of Natural Increase

In 1998, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between the crude birth rate and crude death rate, excluding migration—was approximately 1.4% per year, translating to a net addition of about 80 million people annually. The highest RNI was observed in sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries experienced rates exceeding 2.5% due to high fertility and relatively high, but declining, mortality rates. South and Southwest Asia also exhibited high RNIs, particularly in countries like Pakistan and India, with rates around 2% or more. Latin America and the Caribbean had moderate RNIs, generally between 1.5% and 2%. In contrast, Europe had the lowest RNI, with many countries experiencing near-zero or even negative rates, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations. North America and Oceania showed modest RNIs, typically below 1%. These contrasts highlight the demographic divide between more developed regions, where population growth was stagnating or declining, and less developed regions, where rapid population growth continued to pose significant social and economic challenges.

Data from US Census International Database