The rate of growth of population is

Analyze the question: It asks for the definition of the rate of growth of population.

Concept: Population changes in two ways:

1. Natural increase, which is births minus deaths.
2. Net migration, which is immigrants minus emigrants.

So the overall growth rate of population is:

Growth rate = (Birth rate − Death rate) + Net migration rate

If we consider only natural increase, we ignore migration. That is the "natural rate of growth." The full rate of growth of a population includes migration.

Evaluate the options:

• A. "Initial population plus births and net migration" gives a population size or a count. It leaves out deaths and is not a rate. Wrong.
• B. "The difference between birth rate and death rate" is the natural rate of increase. It leaves out migration, so it is incomplete for the total growth rate. This is the tempting distractor.
• C. "Birth rate less death rate plus net migration" covers all components of population change. Correct.
• D. "Immigrants plus births" leaves out deaths and emigrants. Wrong.

Answer: C

Tip: Remember the population equation B − D + (I − E). If the question says "natural increase," choose births minus deaths only. If it says "growth rate" or "population change," include net migration as well.