2012 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2012, the world’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between the crude birth rate and crude death rate, excluding migration—stood at approximately 1.2% per year, translating to a global population growth of about 82 million people annually. This rate, however, varied significantly across continents and regions. Africa had the highest RNI, with many countries, such as Niger and Uganda, exceeding 3% per year due to high birth rates and declining death rates. Asia, particularly South and Southwest Asia, also experienced relatively high RNIs, with countries like Pakistan and India showing rates above the global average, though lower than Africa’s. In contrast, Europe’s RNI was close to zero or even negative in some countries, such as Germany and Russia, reflecting low birth rates and aging populations. Latin America and the Caribbean saw moderate RNIs, with countries like Brazil and Mexico experiencing rates around 1-1.5%. North America’s RNI was lower, with the United States and Canada both under 1%. These differences highlight the demographic divide: developing regions generally had higher RNIs due to youthful populations and higher fertility, while developed regions faced slower growth or natural decrease due to aging and low fertility rates.

Data from US Census International Database