What constitutes the annual population growth rate?

The annual population growth rate is a comprehensive measure that takes into account both natural increase (the difference between birth rates and death rates) and migration patterns. This means that to fully understand how a population is growing or declining, one must consider not just the births and deaths occurring within a specific area, but also the sum of people moving into (immigration) and out of (emigration) that area.

By including both natural increase and migration, the annual population growth rate provides a more complete understanding of demographic changes. It captures the dynamic interplay between local fertility and mortality rates alongside the influence of external factors such as migration, which can significantly impact the overall population size over a specified time period. This holistic approach allows for better planning and resource allocation in response to changing population needs.

Other options, while related to population dynamics, do not encapsulate the full picture needed to accurately define the annual population growth rate. For instance, focusing solely on birth and death rates neglects the crucial impact of migration, while counting migration alone ignores the natural demographic changes happening within the population. Additionally, changes in age composition, while important for understanding demographic structure, do not directly define growth rate as they are a consequence of the interplay of births, deaths, and migration