People > Total population > Evolution of the population > Population growth rates: Group totals

DEFINITION: The tables refer to the resident population. For countries such as France, the United Kingdom and the United States which have overseas colonies, protectorates or other territorial possessions, their populations are generally excluded. For full details, see Sources below.

Growth rates are the annual changes in the population and are the result of births, deaths and net migration during the year.

The total fertility rate is the total number of children that would be born to each woman if she were to live to the end of her child-bearing years and give birth to children in that period in agreement with the prevailing age-specific fertility rates.