Natural Increase – The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths in a population over a given period

To remember the meaning of the term Natural Increase, use the following mnemonic:

It was natural that there was an increase (natural increase) in the population because more couples were having babies and fewer people were dying.

The rate of natural increase in developed countries is quite low, ranging from about 1% down to slightly negative figures. In developing countries, the rate is generally higher. The fact that most population growth is concentrated in poorer countries presents a range of problems, from food shortages to inadequate housing, education and healthcare.

In 2020 the global population was growing at a rate of around 1.05% per year (down from 1.08% in 2019, 1.10% in 2018, and 1.12% in 2017). The average population increase was estimated at 81 million people per year.

The annual global growth rate reached its peak in the late 1960s when it averaged around 2%. The rate has nearly halved since then and is expected to continue to decline in the coming years.