Question

In a particular city in one year, the birth rate is 25 per 1000 people. The death rate is 10 per 1000 people. What is the city’s annual population growth

3.5%

35%

1.5%

25%

Answer 1

If the birth rate is 25 for every 1000 people, that would mean the population is growing by (
`(25)/(1000)` x 100)% = 2.5%.

However, the annual population growth must account for the death rate as well (people aren't just being born in the population...people are also dying). There are 10 deaths for every 1000 people, which means the population is decreasing by (
`(10)/(1000)` x 100)% = 1.0%.

The net growth, or overall annual growth, of the population is equal to the birth rate - the death rate. Therefore, 2.5% - 1.0% = 1.5% population growth.