Which region is most likely to experience high natural increase rates?

Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by some of the highest natural increase rates in the world. This is largely due to several interrelated factors, including high fertility rates and declining, but still relatively high, mortality rates. Many countries in this region are experiencing improvements in healthcare, which, while reducing deaths, does not yet align with a comparable decline in birth rates. Furthermore, cultural factors in Sub-Saharan Africa often support larger family sizes, contributing to higher birth rates. As a result, these demographic dynamics lead to significant population growth, making Sub-Saharan Africa the region most likely to experience high natural increase rates.

In contrast, Western Europe, North America, and East Asia generally have lower natural increase rates. These regions typically feature lower fertility rates, often below replacement level, and higher levels of urbanization, education, and access to family planning resources, which contribute to a decline in birth rates relative to historical norms.