What does the term 'natural increase' refer to?

The term 'natural increase' specifically refers to the difference between the birth rate and the death rate of a population. It measures how much a population grows or declines based solely on the number of births compared to the number of deaths, without factoring in migration. A high birth rate combined with a low death rate results in a natural increase, indicating overall population growth. Conversely, if the death rate exceeds the birth rate, the population may experience a natural decrease.

In the context of demographic studies and population growth, natural increase is a fundamental concept because it helps to understand the organic growth of a population over time, independent of external factors such as immigration or emigration. This is crucial for planning and resource allocation in various sectors, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Other options, like economic growth, urban development, or changes in immigration patterns, do not directly relate to the conceptual framework of natural increase.