Which three demographic measures most closely parallel each other in terms of global distribution?

Natural increase rate, crude birth rate, total fertility rate

1 answer

The three demographic measures that most closely parallel each other in terms of global distribution are the crude birth rate (CBR), total fertility rate (TFR), and natural increase rate (NIR).

  1. Crude Birth Rate (CBR): This measures the number of live births per 1,000 people in a given year. It is a direct measure of the birth rate within a population.

  2. Total Fertility Rate (TFR): This represents the average number of children a woman would have in her lifetime based on current birth rates. It provides a more comprehensive look at reproductive behavior and is closely related to the CBR.

  3. Natural Increase Rate (NIR): This is the difference between the crude birth rate and the crude death rate (CDR) of a population, expressed as a percentage. The NIR reflects population growth due to births exceeding deaths, making it closely connected to both the CBR and TFR.

In essence, all three measures are interrelated, as increases in birth rates (CBR and TFR) typically lead to higher natural increase rates (NIR). High values in CBR and TFR generally correspond with a positive NIR, while lower values usually indicate slower or negative population growth.