2013 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2013, 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 82 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%, driven by high fertility and youthful populations. Asia’s RNI was moderate, with South and Southeast Asia showing higher rates (around 1.5–2%) compared to East Asia, where countries like Japan and China had much lower RNIs due to aging populations and declining birth rates. Europe, in contrast, had a near-zero or even negative RNI in several countries, reflecting low fertility and aging demographics. Latin America’s RNI was declining but still positive, generally ranging from 1% to 1.5%. Countries like Niger and Uganda led the world with RNIs above 3%, while nations such as Germany, Russia, and Japan faced zero or negative rates, highlighting stark contrasts in demographic trends worldwide.

Data from US Census International Database