The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in the global death rate, but had little to no significant impact on birth rates, causing population growth to dip slightly. On a global level, population growth is determined by the difference between the birth and death rate, and this is known as the rate of natural change - on a national or regional level, population change is also affected by migration. Ongoing trends Since the middle of the 20th century, the global birth rate has been well above the global death rate, however, the gap between these figures has grown closer in recent years. The death rate is projected to overtake the birth rate in the 2080s, which means that the world's population will then go into decline. In the future, death rates will increase due to ageing populations across the world and a plateau in life expectancy. Why does this change? There are many reasons for falling death and birth rates in recent decades. Falling death rates have been driven by a reduction in infant and child mortality, as well as increased life expectancy. Falling birth rates were also driven by the reduction in child mortality, whereby mothers would have fewer children as survival rates rose - other factors include the drop in child marriage, improved contraception access and efficacy, and women choosing to have children later in life.

Chart and table of the World birth rate from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

From 1950 to 1955, the worldwide crude birth rate was just under 37 births per thousand people, which means that 3.7 percent of the population, who were alive during this time had been born in this five year period. Between this five year period, and the time between 2015 and 2020, the crude birth rate has dropped to 18.5 births per thousand people, which is fifty percent of what the birth rate was seventy years ago. This change has come as a result of increased access and reliability of contraception, a huge reduction in infant and child mortality rate, and increased educational and vocational opportunities for women. The continents that have felt the greatest change over this seventy year period are Asia and Latin America, which fell below the global average in the 1990s and early 2000s, and are estimated to have fallen below the crude birth rate of Oceania in the current five-year period. Europe has consistently had the lowest crude birth rate of all continents during the past seventy years, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s, when it fell to just over ten births per thousand, as the end of communism in Europe caused sweeping demographic change across Europe. The only continent that still remains above the global average is Africa, whose crude birth rate is fifteen births per thousand more than the world average, although the rate of decrease is higher than it was in previous decades.

United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 14.000 Ratio in 2015. This stayed constant from the previous number of 14.000 Ratio for 2014. United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 13.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.000 Ratio in 2009 and a record low of 11.000 Ratio in 1998. United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.; ; WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2015; Weighted average; This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.

Maternal mortality rates can vary significantly around the world. For example, in 2022, Estonia had a maternal mortality rate of zero per 100,000 live births, while Mexico reported a rate of 38 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the regions with the highest number of maternal deaths are Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, with differences between countries and regions often reflecting inequalities in health care services and access. Most causes of maternal mortality are preventable and treatable with the most common causes including severe bleeding, infections, complications during delivery, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and unsafe abortion. Maternal mortality in the United States In 2022, there were a total of 817 maternal deaths in the United States. Women aged 25 to 39 years accounted for 578 of these deaths, however, rates of maternal mortality are much higher among women aged 40 years and older. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among women aged 40 years and older in the U.S. was 87 per 100,000 live births, compared to a rate of 21 among women aged 25 to 39 years. The rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. has risen in recent years among all age groups. Differences in maternal mortality in the U.S. by race/ethnicity Sadly, there are great disparities in maternal mortality in the United States among different races and ethnicities. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among non-Hispanic white women was about 19 per 100,000 live births, while non-Hispanic Black women died from maternal causes at a rate of almost 50 per 100,000 live births. Rates of maternal mortality have risen for white and Hispanic women in recent years, but Black women have by far seen the largest increase in maternal mortality. In 2022, around 253 Black women died from maternal causes in the United States.

This statistic shows the 20 countries* with the highest infant mortality rate in 2024. An estimated 101.3 infants per 1,000 live births died in the first year of life in Afghanistan in 2024. Infant and child mortality Infant mortality usually refers to the death of children younger than one year. Child mortality, which is often used synonymously with infant mortality, is the death of children younger than five. Among the main causes are pneumonia, diarrhea – which causes dehydration – and infections in newborns, with malnutrition also posing a severe problem. As can be seen above, most countries with a high infant mortality rate are developing countries or emerging countries, most of which are located in Africa. Good health care and hygiene are crucial in reducing child mortality; among the countries with the lowest infant mortality rate are exclusively developed countries, whose inhabitants usually have access to clean water and comprehensive health care. Access to vaccinations, antibiotics and a balanced nutrition also help reducing child mortality in these regions. In some countries, infants are killed if they turn out to be of a certain gender. India, for example, is known as a country where a lot of girls are aborted or killed right after birth, as they are considered to be too expensive for poorer families, who traditionally have to pay a costly dowry on the girl’s wedding day. Interestingly, the global mortality rate among boys is higher than that for girls, which could be due to the fact that more male infants are actually born than female ones. Other theories include a stronger immune system in girls, or more premature births among boys.

Israel Vital Statistics: per 1000 Live Births: Infant Death Rate data was reported at 3.062 ‰ in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.142 ‰ for 2016. Israel Vital Statistics: per 1000 Live Births: Infant Death Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 5.800 ‰ from Dec 1980 (Median) to 2017, with 38 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.700 ‰ in 1981 and a record low of 3.062 ‰ in 2017. Israel Vital Statistics: per 1000 Live Births: Infant Death Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Central Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Israel – Table IL.G002: Vital Statistics.

Niger had the highest birth rate in the world in 2024, with a birth rate of 46.6 births per 1,000 inhabitants. Angola, Benin, Mali, and Uganda followed. Except for Afghanistan, all the 20 countries with the highest birth rates in the world were located in Sub-Saharan Africa. High infant mortality The reasons behind the high birth rates in many Sub-Saharan African countries are manyfold, but a major reason is that infant mortality remains high on the continent, despite decreasing steadily over the past decades, resulting in high birth rates to counter death rates. Moreover, many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa are highly reliant on small-scale farming, meaning that more hands are of importance. Additionally, polygamy is not uncommon in the region, and having many children is often seen as a symbol of status. Fastest growing populations As the high fertility rates coincide with decreasing death rates, countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest population growth rates in the world. As a result, with Africa's population forecast to increase from 1.4 billion in 2022 to over 3.9 billion by 2100.

Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) in United States was reported at 5.8 % in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Live Births: Metropolitan France data was reported at 61,800.000 Person in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 63,900.000 Person for Aug 2018. Live Births: Metropolitan France data is updated monthly, averaging 65,781.000 Person from Jan 1946 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 873 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 81,159.000 Person in May 1971 and a record low of 52,800.000 Person in Feb 2018. Live Births: Metropolitan France data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies. The data is categorized under Global Database’s France – Table FR.G003: Vital Statistics: Live Births, Deaths and Natural Increase.

Chart and table of the U.S. birth rate from 1950 to 2025. United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100.

The USA: Infant deaths per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 5 deaths per 1000 live births, unchanged from 5 deaths per 1000 live births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 19 deaths per 1000 live births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1960 to 2022 is 12 deaths per 1000 live births. The minimum value, 5 deaths per 1000 live births, was reached in 2021 while the maximum of 26 deaths per 1000 live births was recorded in 1960.

The USA: Deaths of male children under five years of age per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 7 deaths per 1000 births, unchanged from 7 deaths per 1000 births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 27 deaths per 1000 births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for the USA from 1960 to 2022 is 15 deaths per 1000 births. The minimum value, 7 deaths per 1000 births, was reached in 2015 while the maximum of 34 deaths per 1000 births was recorded in 1960.

Iceland IS: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 3.000 Ratio in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4.000 Ratio for 2014. Iceland IS: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 5.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.000 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 3.000 Ratio in 2015. Iceland IS: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.World Bank: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.; ; WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2015; Weighted average; This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.

Infant mortality rate of Lao People’s Democratic Republic fell by 2.97% from 33.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 to 32.7 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. Since the 4.07% decline in 2012, infant mortality rate plummeted by 30.72% in 2022. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.

Under-5 mortality rate of World slipped by 2.62% from 38.1 deaths per thousand live births in 2021 to 37.1 deaths per thousand live births in 2022. Since the 3.85% downward trend in 2012, under-5 mortality rate sank by 21.73% in 2022. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to current age-specific mortality rates.

This layer contains population counts and 10 indicators of global population and maternal health by country. Layer is rendered to show the percent of married women ages 15-49 using any contraception. Data is from Population Reference Bureau's 2017 World Population Data Sheet or from their DataFinder site. Fields included are:Population, mid-2017 (reported in millions)Percent of Population Ages <15Percent of Population Ages 65+Male Life Expectancy at BirthFemale Life Expectancy at BirthTotal Fertility Rate: Children per WomanInfant Mortality Rate: Infant Deaths per 1,000 BirthsMaternal Mortality Rate: Maternal Deaths per 100,000 Births (from DataFinder, data from 2013)% Births Attended by Skilled Health Personnel (from DataFinder, year of most recent data available is different for each country, oldest is 2011)% Married Women Ages 15-49 Using Modern Contraception*% Married Women Ages 15-49 Using Any Contraception**Null values indicate that data is not available.*Modern methods include anything that requires supplies or trips to a clinic: condom, pill, injection, IUD, sterilization, etc.**Any method includes modern methods as well as abstinence, fertility awareness/cycle beads, withdrawal, and any other methods that do not require supplies or clinics.For detailed definitions, sources, and footnotes, see page 20 of PRB's 2017 World Population Data Sheet and PRB's DataFinder site.

This dataset provides a global gridded (5 arc-min resolution) detailed annual net-migration dataset for 2000-2019. We also provide global annual birth and death rate datasets – that were used to estimate the net-migration – for same years. The dataset is presented in details, with some further analyses, in the following publication. Please cite this paper when using data.

Niva et al. 2023. World's human migration patterns in 2000-2019 unveiled by high-resolution data. Nature Human Behaviour 7: 2023–2037. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-023-01689-4

You can explore the data in our online net-migration explorer: https://wdrg.aalto.fi/global-net-migration-explorer/

Short introduction to the data

For the dataset, we collected, gap-filled, and harmonised:

1. a comprehensive national level birth and death rate datasets for altogether 216 countries or sovereign states; and
2. sub-national data for births (data covering 163 countries, divided altogether into 2555 admin units) and deaths (123 countries, 2067 admin units).

These birth and death rates were downscaled with selected socio-economic indicators to 5 arc-min grid for each year 2000-2019. These allowed us to calculate the 'natural' population change and when this was compared with the reported changes in population, we were able to estimate the annual net-migration. See more about the methods and calculations at Niva et al (2023).

We recommend using the data either over multiple years (we provide 3, 5 and 20 year net-migration sums at gridded level) or then aggregated over larger area (we provide adm0, adm1 and adm2 level geospatial polygon files). This is due to some noise in the gridded annual data.

Due to copy-right issues we are not able to release all the original data collected, but those can be requested from the authors.

List of datasets

Birth and death rates:

raster_birth_rate_2000_2019.tif: Gridded birth rate for 2000-2019 (5 arc-min; multiband tif)

raster_death_rate_2000_2019.tif: Gridded death rate for 2000-2019 (5 arc-min; multiband tif)

tabulated_adm1adm0_birth_rate.csv: Tabulated sub-national birth rate for 2000-2019 at the division to which data was collected (subnational data when available, otherwise national)

tabulated_ adm1adm0_death_rate.csv: Tabulated sub-national death rate for 2000-2019 at the division to which data was collected (subnational data when available, otherwise national)

Net-migration:

raster_netMgr_2000_2019_annual.tif: Gridded annual net-migration 2000-2019 (5 arc-min; multiband tif)

raster_netMgr_2000_2019_3yrSum.tif: Gridded 3-yr sum net-migration 2000-2019 (5 arc-min; multiband tif)

raster_netMgr_2000_2019_5yrSum.tif: Gridded 5-yr sum net-migration 2000-2019 (5 arc-min; multiband tif)

raster_netMgr_2000_2019_20yrSum.tif: Gridded 20-yr sum net-migration 2000-2019 (5 arc-min)

polyg_adm0_dataNetMgr.gpkg: National (adm 0 level) net-migration geospatial file (gpkg)

polyg_adm1_dataNetMgr.gpkg: Provincial (adm 1 level) net-migration geospatial file (gpkg) (if not adm 1 level division, adm 0 used)

polyg_adm2_dataNetMgr.gpkg: Communal (adm 2 level) net-migration geospatial file (gpkg) (if not adm 2 level division, adm 1 used; and if not adm 1 level division either, adm 0 used)

Files to run online net migration explorer

masterData.rds and admGeoms.rds are related to our online ‘Net-migration explorer’ tool (https://wdrg.aalto.fi/global-net-migration-explorer/). The source code of this application is available in https://github.com/vvirkki/net-migration-explorer. Running the application locally requires these two .rds files from this repository.

Metadata

Grids:

Resolution: 5 arc-min (0.083333333 degrees)

Spatial extent: Lon: -180, 180; -90, 90 (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)

Coordinate ref system: EPSG:4326 - WGS 84

Format: Multiband geotiff; each band for each year over 2000-2019

Units:

• Birth and death rates: births/deaths per 1000 people per year

• Net-migration: persons per 1000 people per time period (year, 3yr, 5yr, 20yr, depending on the dataset)

Geospatial polygon (gpkg) files:

Spatial extent: -180, 180; -90, 83.67 (xmin, xmax, ymin, ymax)

Temporal extent: annual over 2000-2019

Coordinate ref system: EPSG:4326 - WGS 84

Format: gkpk

Units:

• Net-migration: persons per 1000 people per year

Infant mortality rate of Romania rose by 3.77% from 5.3 deaths per thousand live births in 2021 to 5.5 deaths per thousand live births in 2022. Since the 3.57% decline in 2020, infant mortality rate went up by 1.85% in 2022. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.

These charts show the trend in world population growth from the year 1CE to 2100, and the future decline in birth and death rates.