2010 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2010, 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. This rate, however, varied significantly across continents and regions. Africa experienced the highest RNI, with many countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa such as Niger and Uganda, exceeding 2.5% due to high fertility rates and declining mortality. Asia, home to over 60% of the world’s population, had an RNI around 1.1%, with rapid growth in South and Southeast Asia (e.g., India, Pakistan, and the Philippines), while East Asian countries like China and Japan saw much lower rates due to aging populations and lower birth rates. Latin America and the Caribbean had moderate RNIs, typically between 1% and 1.5%, while Europe’s RNI was close to zero or even negative in some countries like Germany and Russia, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations. In contrast, North America’s RNI was modest, with the United States experiencing slight natural increase, while Canada’s growth relied more on immigration than natural increase. These differences underscore the demographic transition, with less developed regions experiencing higher natural increase and more developed regions facing stagnation or decline.

Data from US Census International Database