2002 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2002, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate, not accounting for migration—stood at approximately 1.2% per year, translating to a global population growth of around 77 million people annually. The RNI varied significantly across continents and regions: Africa had the highest RNI, with many countries such as Niger and Uganda exceeding 2.5% due to high birth rates and declining mortality. Asia, home to the largest populations, had moderate RNI levels, with countries like India and Pakistan experiencing rates around 1.7–2.0%, while China’s RNI was much lower at about 0.6% due to its one-child policy. Latin America and the Caribbean also had relatively high RNIs, typically between 1.5% and 2.0%. In stark contrast, Europe’s RNI was close to zero or even negative in some countries, such as Russia and Ukraine, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations. North America’s RNI was modest, with the United States at about 0.6%, while Oceania had varied rates, with Australia and New Zealand lower than many Pacific Island nations. Thus, in 2002, the global pattern of RNI highlighted rapid growth in less developed regions and demographic stagnation or decline in more developed countries.

Data from US Census International Database