Country x has a crude birth rate of 40 and a crude death rate of 15, while country y has a crude birth rate of 20 and a crude death rate of 9. Which country has the higher natural increase rate?

A. X
B. Y
C. The rate is the same in both
D. The rate depends on total population, so it can t be computed from this info
E. The rate depends on migration, so it can t be computed from this info.

The correct answer is A. Country X has the higher natural increase rate.

Explanation:

Natural increase rate is the excess of fertility over mortality, that is, the difference between the number of births and deaths over a period of time; making the basis for population growth.

As Country X has a crude birth rate of 40 and a crude death rate of 15, its population's natural increase rate is 25. In turn, Country Y has a crude birth rate of 20 and a crude death rate of 9, so its population's natural increase rate is 11. So, as we can see, Country X has a higher natural increase rate.