Pakistan Rate of Natural Increase

Pakistan’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth and death rates—remains one of the highest in South Asia, standing at approximately 1.9% as of 2023. This high RNI is driven by a relatively high fertility rate and a declining mortality rate, contributing to rapid population growth. In comparison, neighboring India’s RNI has declined to around 0.8%, reflecting successful family planning initiatives and improvements in healthcare. Afghanistan, on the other hand, exhibits a higher RNI than Pakistan, estimated at about 2.3%, due to even higher fertility rates and a younger population, though it also faces higher mortality. Iran’s RNI is much lower, at about 0.7%, as a result of effective population control policies and lower fertility rates. Thus, while Pakistan’s RNI is lower than Afghanistan’s, it is significantly higher than those of India and Iran, indicating differing demographic transitions and policy outcomes among these neighboring countries.

Data from US Census International Database