Where is population growing most rapidly?
The total fertility rate in least developed countries averages 4.6 births per woman, as opposed to 1.6 in more developed regions. For the period 2005-2010, 30 developing countries have birth rates greater than five children per woman. Niger, with an average of more than 7 births per woman, has the highest fertility rate in the world. By contrast, Belarus has one of the lowest fertility rates at 1.20 births per woman. Kenya, Niger, Tanzania, and Uganda, among others, have all more than quintupled in population since 1950. The two largest countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia, have each more than quadrupled in population since 1950. All of these countries continue to grow at rapid rates, some doubling in as little as 25 years. Rapid population growth is also occurring in some South Asian countries. Afghanistan’s population has more than tripled since 1950 and is currently projected to nearly triple again—to 79.4 million—by 2050. Similarly, Pakistan’s population has quadru
