Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
A Rapidly Growing Population
While the world's population is currently growing at a rate of 1.24% per year
(average rate between 2000 and 2005), the population of the United States is
increasing at an average rate of 0.99% per year. The average rate of natural
population growth, 0.61% per year, is less than half the global rate, but the United
States continues to be the most attractive country in the world with an estimated
average net migration surplus of nearly 1.2 million people per year between 2000
and 2005, or +0.38% per year compared with the total population. This rapid
population growth in one of the world's most developed countries contrasts sharply
with the low population growth in Western Europe and Japan. Proportionately, it is
now faster than that of China (see Figure 3.1).
2.5%
2.0%
1.5%
1.0%
0.5%
0.0%
1950-
1955
1955-
1960
1960-
1965
1965-
1970
1970-
1975
1975-
1980
1980-
1985
1985-
1990
1990-
1995
1995-
2000
2000-
2005
U.S.A.
World
Industrialized Countries
Figure 3.1. Average annual population growth 1950-2005
(Source: UN, Population Division)
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