2019 Rate of Natural Increase

In 2019, the global rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth rates and death rates, excluding migration—stood at approximately 1.1% per year. This figure masked significant regional and continental variation. Africa had the highest RNI, with many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, such as Niger and Angola, experiencing rates above 2.5% due to high fertility and relatively young populations. Asia's RNI was moderate, with South and Southeast Asian nations like India and the Philippines maintaining higher rates, while East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea saw near-zero or negative RNI due to low birth rates and aging populations. Europe had the lowest RNI, with several countries—including Germany, Italy, and Russia—experiencing natural population decline (negative RNI), as deaths outnumbered births. In contrast, regions like Latin America and the Caribbean had an RNI around 1%, reflecting a demographic transition with declining fertility but still youthful populations. Thus, while the world’s population continued to grow in 2019, the pace and direction of natural increase varied widely, with some countries facing rapid growth and others confronting population shrinkage.

Data from US Census International Database