Population growth rate is the rate at which the number of individuals in a population increases or decreases over a specific period of time, usually one year. It indicates how fast a population is expanding or shrinking.
The growth of a population depends mainly on four important factors: birth rate, death rate, immigration, and emigration. Birth rate increases the population as new individuals are added. Death rate decreases the population as individuals die. Immigration adds people to the population from outside areas, while emigration reduces the population when people move out.
If the number of births and immigrants is greater than the number of deaths and emigrants, the population shows a positive growth rate. If deaths and emigration are higher, the growth rate becomes negative. When births and deaths are equal and migration is balanced, the population remains stable.
Population growth rate is generally expressed as a percentage. It can be calculated using the formula:
Population Growth Rate = (Births + Immigration − Deaths − Emigration) ÷ Total Population × 100
Thus, population growth rate helps in understanding population trends and planning for resources such as food, housing, education, and healthcare.