2009 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2009, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—stood at approximately 1.2% per year, translating to a global population growth of about 80 million people annually. However, this rate varied significantly across continents and regions. Africa had the highest RNI, with many countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, experiencing rates above 2.5%, driven by high birth rates and relatively young populations. Asia, home to the majority of the world’s population, had a moderate RNI, with South and Southeast Asia showing higher rates than East Asia, where China’s RNI was notably lower due to the effects of the one-child policy. Latin America also exhibited moderate rates, generally between 1% and 2%. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was near zero or even negative in some countries, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations, while North America had a low but positive RNI, buoyed by higher birth rates in the United States relative to Canada. These contrasts highlight the demographic divide between rapidly growing regions in the Global South and aging, slow-growing or shrinking populations in much of the Global North.

Data from US Census International Database