Fewer births and more deaths, higher natural decrease
In the first two months of 2019, the number of births was 5.1% less and that of deceases 11% more than in the corresponding period of 2018 according to preliminary data. As a result, the natural decrease increased by 36% or 3,230 compared to January–February 2018. In February 2019, the number of live births decreased by 4.7% and that of deceases rose by 1.8% compared to the same month of the previous year. The natural decrease was 5,695 in February, 10% higher than a year earlier.
In February 2019:
6,524 children were born, 4.7% less or 321 infants fewer than in the second month of 2018.
12,219 people lost their lives, which was 1.8% or numerically 212 more than in the corresponding month of the previous year.
The number of births dropped, while that of deaths rose, as a result of which the natural decrease over the month was 5,695 as opposed to 5,162 in February 2018, which meant an increase of 10%.
The number of marriages remained practically unchanged, 1,872 couples got married, which was 0.4% less, numerically merely 7 matrimonies fewer than in February 2018.
In January–February 2019:
13,891 children were born, which was 745 fewer or 5.1% lower than in January–February 2018. The number of live births was 5.4% less in January and 4.7% less in February compared to the corresponding months of 2018.
The estimated total fertility rate was 1.43 per woman, compared with 1.49 calculated for the first two months of the previous year.
26,106 people died, 11% or numerically 2,485 more than in the same period of the previous year. The significant increase in mortality was due to the extremely high number of deaths in January, which latter could be caused by the peak of the flu epidemic being earlier this year than last year. 20% more people deceased in January 2019 and 1.8% more in February than one year earlier.
As a result of a decrease in the number of live births and a significant rise in the number of deaths, the natural decrease was 12,215 as opposed to 8,985 in January–February 2018, which meant an increase of 36%.
3,319 marriages were registered, which was 2.1% less or numerically 72 fewer compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.
There were 8.8 live births and 16.5 deceases per thousand inhabitants. The former was 0.5 per mille point lower and the latter 1.6 per mille points higher than in January–February 2018, as a result of which the rate of natural decrease rose by 2.0 per mille points to 7.7 per mille. The number of infant deaths was 3.3 per thousand live births in the first two months of 2019, which was a growth of 0.4 per mille point compared to January–February of the previous year. The marriage rate of 2.1 per mille did not change compared to a year earlier.
Main data on vital events, January–February 2019
| Vital events | Number | Change compared to same period of previous year, % | Per thousand inhabitants | Change compared to same period of previous year, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births | 13 891 | –5.1 | 8.8 | –4.9 |
| Deaths | 26 106 | 10.5 | 16.5 | 10.7 |
| Infant deaths | 46 | 9.5 | 3.3a) | 15.4 |
| Natural increase / decrease | –12 215 | 35.9 | –7.7 | 36.2 |
| Marriages | 3 319 | –2.1 | 2.1 | –2.0 |
a) Per thousand live births.