The rate of natural increase (RNI) in Burma (Myanmar) reflects the difference between its birth and death rates, offering insight into the country's population growth excluding migration. As of recent estimates, Myanmar's RNI is relatively low, around 0.7% per year, indicating slow natural population growth. This rate is lower than that of neighboring countries such as Laos (approximately 1.4%) and Bangladesh (about 1.1%), both of which experience higher birth rates and slightly lower death rates. In contrast, Thailand's RNI is even lower, hovering close to zero (about 0.1%), due to its aging population and declining fertility rates. China, another neighbor, also has a very low or even negative RNI, largely due to long-term family planning policies and an aging demographic. Thus, Myanmar's RNI positions it between the higher-growth countries like Laos and Bangladesh and the low- or negative-growth countries like Thailand and China, reflecting a transitional stage in demographic development.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 2.057 | 30,329,791 |
| 1980 | 2.137 | 33,336,420 |
| 1985 | 2.032 | 36,733,456 |
| 1990 | 1.739 | 40,124,887 |
| 1995 | 1.666 | 43,417,520 |
| 2000 | 1.438 | 46,641,496 |
| 2005 | 1.294 | 49,279,344 |
| 2010 | 1.281 | 51,414,732 |
| 2015 | 1.119 | 54,089,016 |
| 2020 | 0.98 | 56,599,075 |
| 2024 | 0.858 | 58,399,866 |
| 2025 | 0.826 | 58,814,493 |
| 2026 | 0.8 | 59,215,541 |
| 2030 | 0.692 | 60,691,085 |
| 2035 | 0.574 | 62,244,488 |
| 2040 | 0.456 | 63,468,972 |
| 2045 | 0.336 | 64,341,799 |
| 2050 | 0.216 | 64,837,457 |
| 2055 | 0.114 | 64,974,849 |
| 2060 | 0.024 | 64,800,276 |
| 2065 | -0.057 | 64,350,345 |
| 2070 | -0.129 | 63,657,024 |
| 2075 | -0.197 | 62,745,712 |
| 2080 | -0.261 | 61,636,408 |
| 2085 | -0.32 | 60,353,431 |
| 2090 | -0.371 | 58,926,243 |
| 2095 | -0.415 | 57,384,865 |
| 2100 | -0.455 | 55,756,021 |
Data from US Census International Database