2003 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2003, the world's rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between the crude birth rate and crude death rate, excluding migration—was approximately 1.2% per year, translating to a global population growth of about 77 million people annually. The RNI varied significantly across continents and regions: Africa had the highest RNI, with many countries, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, experiencing rates above 2.5% due to high birth rates and declining mortality. Asia, home to the majority of the world’s population, had a moderate RNI, with countries like India and Pakistan showing higher rates (around 1.7–2.0%), while China’s RNI was lower (about 0.6%) due to its population policies. Latin America also had a relatively high RNI (around 1.5%), while Europe’s RNI was near zero or even negative in some countries, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations. North America’s RNI was modest, with the United States at about 0.6%, higher than most European countries but lower than the global average. These contrasts highlight how demographic transitions, economic development, and social policies shaped population growth differently around the world in 2003.

Data from US Census International Database