Timor-Leste Rate of Natural Increase

Timor-Leste’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate, expressed as a percentage—is among the highest in Southeast Asia. As of recent estimates, Timor-Leste’s RNI is approximately 1.8% to 2% per year, reflecting a high birth rate and a gradually declining death rate. In comparison, neighboring Indonesia has a lower RNI, around 1.0%, due to its more advanced demographic transition, characterized by lower fertility rates and improved healthcare. Australia, another nearby country, has an even lower RNI, typically below 0.5%, reflecting its status as a developed nation with low birth and death rates. Timor-Leste’s youthful population structure and limited access to family planning contribute to its higher RNI, while its neighbors’ more mature demographic profiles and better access to healthcare and education result in slower natural population growth.

Data from US Census International Database