Countries with Highest & Lowest Population Growth in 2025

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Population growth rate is a measure of the increase or decrease in the number of individuals in a population over a specific period, typically expressed as a percentage of the population. It is a crucial indicator of demographic health and economic development, influencing everything from government policies to business strategies. Globally, population growth rates vary significantly due to factors such as fertility rates, mortality rates, and migration patterns. While some countries experience rapid population increases, others face declining populations, reflecting diverse socio-economic conditions and future challenges.

As of 2024, the global population growth rate stands at approximately 1.03% per year. This figure represents a slight decline from previous decades, as many countries face aging populations, lower fertility rates, and various socio-economic challenges. Nonetheless, the world population continues to grow, adding around 80 million people annually, highlighting the ongoing dynamics of global demographic changes.

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Population Growth

  1. Syria (4.98%): Syria’s high population growth rate can be attributed to a combination of factors, including a high birth rate and a return of refugees. Despite ongoing conflict, the country’s young population contributes to a high fertility rate, driving population growth. Humanitarian aid and improved healthcare also play a role.
  2. Moldova (4.98%): Moldova’s population growth rate is influenced by a recent return of citizens who had emigrated. The government’s initiatives to encourage Moldovans living abroad to return and invest in the country have been somewhat successful, though the overall trend is complex.
  3. Niger (3.80%): Niger has one of the highest fertility rates in the world, with an average of seven children per woman. This high birth rate, coupled with improvements in healthcare that reduce infant mortality, drives the country’s rapid population growth.
  4. DR Congo (3.29%): DR Congo’s population growth is driven by high fertility rates and a young population. Despite political instability and economic challenges, the country’s large rural population continues to grow rapidly, supported by a high birth rate.
  5. Chad (3.13%): Chad’s population growth is fueled by high fertility rates and a young demographic structure. The country’s rural population, traditional norms favoring large families, and improving healthcare services contribute to its significant growth rate.
  6. Mali (3.10%): Mali’s high population growth is due to its high fertility rate and a cultural preference for larger families. Despite facing economic and political challenges, Mali continues to see a rapid increase in its population, driven by a young populace.
  7. Somalia (3.10%): Somalia’s population growth rate remains high due to a high birth rate and a recovering healthcare system. Despite ongoing conflict and instability, the birth rate remains robust, contributing to significant population increases.
  8. Angola (3.08%): Angola’s population growth is supported by its high fertility rate and a young age structure. The country’s oil wealth has led to improvements in healthcare and living standards, further boosting population growth.
  9. Mayotte (3.03%): Mayotte, a French overseas department, experiences high population growth due to immigration from neighboring Comoros and a high birth rate. Its status as part of France attracts many seeking better opportunities and healthcare.
  10. Tanzania (2.96%): Tanzania’s population growth is driven by a high fertility rate and declining mortality rates. Government efforts to improve healthcare and economic conditions also contribute to sustaining its high population growth rate.

Top 10 Countries with Negative Population Growth

  1. Ukraine (-7.45%): Ukraine faces severe population decline due to high emigration, low birth rates, and high mortality rates. The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine exacerbates this trend, leading to significant demographic challenges.
  2. Lebanon (-2.47%): Lebanon’s population decline is driven by emigration, political instability, and economic crises. The recent financial collapse and lack of opportunities have led many, especially the young and educated, to seek better lives abroad.
  3. Bulgaria (-1.39%): Bulgaria’s negative growth rate is a result of low birth rates, high death rates, and emigration. The country faces a significant demographic challenge as its population ages and young people leave for better opportunities in Western Europe.
  4. Lithuania (-1.15%): Lithuania experiences population decline due to emigration and a low birth rate. Many Lithuanians have moved to other EU countries in search of better job prospects, contributing to the shrinking population.
  5. Saint Helena (-1.12%): Saint Helena, a remote island, faces population decline primarily due to emigration. The limited economic opportunities and remote location encourage residents to move to more prosperous regions.
  6. Latvia (-1.10%): Latvia’s population decline is driven by emigration and low birth rates. Since joining the EU, many Latvians have moved to other member states for better employment opportunities, leading to a steady population decrease.
  7. Serbia (-1.00%): Serbia’s negative population growth is due to low birth rates, high death rates, and emigration. The country struggles with a declining and aging population, impacting its long-term economic prospects.
  8. American Samoa (-0.81%): American Samoa faces population decline mainly due to emigration to the United States. Limited economic opportunities on the islands prompt residents to seek better living conditions elsewhere.
  9. U.S. Virgin Islands (-0.72%): The U.S. Virgin Islands see population decline driven by emigration and natural disasters. Hurricanes and economic challenges have led many residents to relocate to the mainland United States.
  10. Bosnia and Herzegovina (-0.70%): Bosnia and Herzegovina’s population decline is attributed to low birth rates and emigration. The aftermath of the 1990s conflict and ongoing economic difficulties encourage many citizens to seek better opportunities abroad.

Population Growth Rates by Country

Rank Country Population 2024 Growth Rate Net Change
1Syria2,32,27,0144.98%11,01,765
2Moldova34,35,9314.98%1,62,935
3Niger2,72,02,8433.80%9,94,866
4DR Congo10,22,62,8083.29%32,52,596
5Chad1,82,78,5683.13%5,55,253
6Mali2,32,93,6983.10%7,00,108
7Somalia1,81,43,3783.10%5,45,867
8Angola3,66,84,2023.08%10,95,215
9Mayotte3,35,9953.03%9,894
10Tanzania6,74,38,1062.96%19,40,358
11Poland4,10,26,0672.93%11,68,922
12Central African Republic57,42,3152.92%1,63,171
13Uganda4,85,82,3342.82%13,32,749
14Mozambique3,38,97,3542.81%9,27,836
15Zambia2,05,69,7372.76%5,52,062
16Burundi1,32,38,5592.71%3,48,983
17Afghanistan4,22,39,8542.70%11,11,083
18Benin1,37,12,8282.70%3,59,964
19Slovakia57,95,1992.69%1,51,746
20Mauritania48,62,9892.68%1,26,850
21Sudan4,81,09,0062.63%12,34,802
22Cameroon2,86,47,2932.63%7,32,757
23Senegal1,77,63,1632.58%4,46,714
24Malawi2,09,31,7512.58%5,26,434
25Ethiopia12,65,27,0602.55%31,47,136
26Burkina Faso2,32,51,4852.55%5,77,723
27Côte d’Ivoire2,88,73,0342.53%7,12,492
28French Guiana3,12,1552.49%7,598
29Gambia27,73,1682.48%67,176
30Nigeria22,38,04,6322.41%52,63,420
31Madagascar3,03,25,7322.41%7,14,018
32Guinea1,41,90,6122.39%3,31,271
33Vanuatu3,34,5062.38%7,766
34Equatorial Guinea17,14,6712.37%39,763
35Togo90,53,7992.32%2,05,100
36Rwanda1,40,94,6832.31%3,17,985
37State of Palestine53,71,2302.31%1,21,158
38Congo61,06,8692.29%1,36,445
39Iraq4,55,04,5602.27%10,08,438
40Yemen3,44,49,8252.24%7,53,211
41Solomon Islands7,40,4242.23%16,151
42Liberia54,18,3772.18%1,15,696
43Sierra Leone87,91,0922.15%1,85,374
44Guinea-Bissau21,50,8422.15%45,276
45Zimbabwe1,66,65,4092.11%3,44,872
46Kenya5,51,00,5861.99%10,73,099
47Gabon24,36,5661.99%47,574
48Pakistan24,04,85,6581.98%46,60,796
49Sao Tome & Principe2,31,8561.97%4,476
50Western Sahara5,87,2591.96%11,273
51Ghana3,41,21,9851.93%6,46,115
52Tajikistan1,01,43,5431.92%1,90,756
53Venezuela2,88,38,4991.90%5,36,803
54Hungary1,01,56,2391.90%1,88,931
55Papua New Guinea1,03,29,9311.85%1,87,312
56Comoros8,52,0751.83%15,301
57Eritrea37,48,9011.76%64,869
58Kiribati1,33,5151.74%2,283
59Botswana26,75,3521.71%45,056
60South Sudan1,10,88,7961.61%1,75,632
61Kyrgyzstan67,35,3471.58%1,04,724
62Algeria4,56,06,4801.57%7,03,255
63Holy See5181.57%8
64Egypt11,27,16,5981.56%17,26,495
65Uzbekistan3,51,63,9441.55%5,36,292
66Philippines11,73,37,3681.54%17,78,359
67Honduras1,05,93,7981.54%1,60,938
68Israel91,74,5201.51%1,36,211
69Oman46,44,3841.49%68,086
70Saudi Arabia3,69,47,0251.48%5,38,205
71Samoa2,25,6811.48%3,299
72Namibia26,04,1721.45%37,160
73Mongolia34,47,1571.44%48,791
74Timor-Leste13,60,5961.44%19,300
75Nicaragua70,46,3101.41%97,918
76Laos76,33,7791.39%1,04,304
77Guatemala1,80,92,0261.39%2,48,118
78Djibouti11,36,4551.39%15,606
79Belize4,10,8251.37%5,553
80Bolivia1,23,88,5711.35%1,64,461
81Panama44,68,0871.35%59,506
82Turkmenistan65,16,1001.33%85,330
83Macao7,04,1491.29%8,981
84Haiti1,17,24,7631.21%1,39,767
85Paraguay68,61,5241.19%80,780
86Romania1,98,92,8121.19%2,33,545
87Tokelau1,8931.18%22
88Nepal3,08,96,5901.14%3,49,010
89Libya68,88,3881.12%76,047
90Luxembourg6,54,7681.11%7,169
91Malaysia3,43,08,5251.09%3,70,304
92Kazakhstan1,96,06,6331.08%2,08,635
93Cambodia1,69,44,8261.06%1,76,984
94Lesotho23,30,3181.06%24,493
95Ecuador1,81,90,4841.05%1,89,484
96New Caledonia2,92,9911.05%3,041
97Bangladesh17,29,54,3191.03%17,67,947
98Marshall Islands41,9961.03%427
99Morocco3,78,40,0441.02%3,82,073
100Australia2,64,39,1111.00%2,61,698
101Micronesia5,44,3210.98%5,308
102Kuwait43,10,1080.97%41,235
103Dominican Republic1,13,32,9720.93%1,04,151
104Cabo Verde5,98,6820.93%5,533
105Bahrain14,85,5090.90%13,276
106Saint Martin32,0770.90%286
107Peru3,43,52,7190.89%3,03,131
108Cayman Islands69,3100.88%604
109Nauru12,7800.88%112
110South Africa6,04,14,4950.87%5,20,610
111Tonga1,07,7730.86%915
112Canada3,87,81,2910.85%3,26,964
113French Polynesia3,08,8720.85%2,593
114Suriname6,23,2360.84%5,196
115New Zealand52,28,1000.83%42,812
116Tunisia1,24,58,2230.83%1,02,106
117India1,42,86,27,6630.81%1,14,54,490
118United Arab Emirates95,16,8710.80%75,742
119Réunion9,81,7960.80%7,744
120Qatar27,16,3910.79%21,269
121Turks and Caicos46,0620.79%359
122Brunei4,52,5240.78%3,522
123Eswatini12,10,8220.76%9,152
124Mexico12,84,55,5670.75%9,51,442
125Indonesia27,75,34,1220.74%20,32,783
126Myanmar5,45,77,9970.74%3,98,691
127Norway54,74,3600.74%40,041
128British Virgin Islands31,5380.74%233
129Tuvalu11,3960.74%84
130Fiji9,36,3750.71%6,609
131Iran8,91,72,7670.70%6,22,197
132Cyprus12,60,1380.69%8,650
133Guam1,72,9520.69%1,178
134Vietnam9,88,58,9500.68%6,72,094
135Ireland50,56,9350.67%33,826
136Iceland3,75,3180.65%2,419
137Singapore60,14,7230.65%39,034
138Liechtenstein39,5840.65%257
139Switzerland87,96,6690.64%56,197
140Bhutan7,87,4240.64%4,969
141Bahamas4,12,6230.64%2,639
142Guyana8,13,8340.63%5,108
143Costa Rica52,12,1730.60%31,344
144Sweden1,06,12,0860.59%62,739
145Grenada1,26,1830.59%745
146Argentina4,57,73,8840.58%2,63,566
147Antigua and Barbuda94,2980.57%535
148Turkey8,58,16,1990.56%4,74,958
149Azerbaijan1,04,12,6510.53%54,577
150Brazil21,64,22,4460.52%11,08,948
151Seychelles1,07,6600.51%542
152United States33,99,96,5630.50%17,06,706
153Denmark59,10,9130.49%28,652
154Northern Mariana Islands49,7960.49%245
155Curaçao1,92,0770.48%914
156Jordan1,13,37,0520.45%51,183
157El Salvador63,64,9430.45%28,551
158Caribbean Netherlands27,1480.45%122
159Dominica73,0400.42%303
160Colombia5,20,85,1680.41%2,11,144
161North Korea2,61,60,8210.35%91,405
162United Kingdom6,77,36,8020.34%2,27,866
163Faeroe Islands53,2700.34%180
164Andorra80,0880.33%264
165Malta5,35,0640.33%1,778
166Greenland56,6430.31%177
167Netherlands1,76,18,2990.31%54,285
168Falkland Islands3,7910.29%11
169Sri Lanka2,18,93,5790.28%61,436
170Belgium1,16,86,1400.26%30,210
171Anguilla15,8990.26%42
172Trinidad and Tobago15,34,9370.25%3,893
173Saint Barthelemy10,9940.25%27
174Puerto Rico32,60,3140.24%7,907
175Isle of Man84,7100.23%191
176Austria89,58,9600.22%19,343
177Saint Lucia1,80,2510.22%394
178Saint Kitts & Nevis47,7550.21%98
179France6,47,56,5840.20%1,29,956
180Cook Islands17,0440.19%33
181Thailand7,18,01,2790.15%1,04,249
182Chile1,96,29,5900.13%25,857
183Taiwan2,39,23,2760.13%29,882
184Barbados2,81,9950.13%360
185Gibraltar32,6880.12%39
186Sint Maarten44,2220.11%47
187Finland55,45,4750.09%4,730
188Mauritius13,00,5570.08%1,088
189Niue1,9350.05%1
190Hong Kong74,91,6090.04%2,744
191Guadeloupe3,95,8390.02%87
192Palau18,0580.02%3
193Uruguay34,23,1080.01%314
194Czech Republic (Czechia)1,04,95,2950.01%1,309
195Slovenia21,19,675-0.01%-169
196China1,42,56,71,352-0.02%-2,15,985
197San Marino33,642-0.05%-18
198South Korea5,17,84,059-0.06%-31,751
199Jamaica28,25,544-0.06%-1,833
200Spain4,75,19,628-0.08%-39,002
201Germany8,32,94,633-0.09%-75,210
202Armenia27,77,970-0.09%-2,499
203Montserrat4,386-0.09%-4
204Montenegro6,26,485-0.10%-597
205Martinique3,66,981-0.14%-526
206Cuba1,11,94,449-0.16%-17,742
207Aruba1,06,277-0.16%-168
208Bermuda64,069-0.18%-115
209Russia14,44,44,359-0.19%-2,68,955
210Portugal1,02,47,605-0.23%-23,260
211St. Vincent & Grenadines1,03,698-0.24%-250
212Estonia13,22,765-0.25%-3,297
213Italy5,88,70,762-0.28%-1,66,712
214Albania28,32,439-0.35%-9,882
215North Macedonia20,85,679-0.38%-7,920
216Saint Pierre & Miquelon5,840-0.38%-22
217Belarus94,98,238-0.39%-36,716
218Greece1,03,41,277-0.42%-43,694
219Georgia37,28,282-0.43%-16,103
220Monaco36,297-0.47%-172
221Japan12,32,94,513-0.53%-6,57,179
222Maldives5,21,021-0.53%-2,766
223Croatia40,08,617-0.54%-21,741
224Wallis & Futuna11,502-0.60%-70
225Bosnia and Herzegovina32,10,847-0.70%-22,679
226U.S. Virgin Islands98,750-0.72%-715
227American Samoa43,914-0.81%-359
228Serbia71,49,077-1.00%-72,288
229Latvia18,30,211-1.10%-20,440
230Saint Helena5,314-1.12%-60
231Lithuania27,18,352-1.15%-31,703
232Bulgaria66,87,717-1.39%-94,236
233Lebanon53,53,930-2.47%-1,35,809
234Ukraine3,67,44,634-7.45%-29,57,105

Factors Influencing Population Growth

Population growth is influenced by a multitude of factors that vary significantly across different regions. Key determinants include fertility rates, which reflect the average number of children born to a woman over her lifetime, and mortality rates, particularly infant and child mortality rates, which can drastically alter population dynamics. Migration also plays a critical role, with countries experiencing either population increases due to immigration or declines due to emigration. Economic conditions, healthcare availability, educational opportunities, and government policies such as family planning initiatives further shape population trends. Additionally, cultural norms and societal values regarding family size can significantly impact fertility rates, thereby influencing overall population growth.

Implications of Population Growth Rates

The implications of population growth rates are profound and multifaceted, affecting economic development, resource allocation, and social structures. High population growth rates can strain resources, infrastructure, and public services, necessitating substantial investments in healthcare, education, and housing to maintain quality of life. Conversely, negative growth rates can lead to an aging population, shrinking workforce, and economic stagnation, requiring policies that encourage higher birth rates or immigration. Rapid population increases may spur economic growth through a larger labor force and market size, while population declines can result in labor shortages and increased dependency ratios. Understanding these implications is crucial for policymakers and planners to develop strategies that promote sustainable development and address the diverse challenges posed by varying population growth rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which country currently has the highest population growth rate?
    • As of recent data, Syria has one of the highest population growth rates at approximately 4.98%.
  • What is the global population growth rate as of 2024?
    • Approximately 1.03%.

Source

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