Report points to decline in number of births in province

‘There’s a need for parents to increase the timeliness of registrations’

BIRTH registrations in the Western Cape have decreased by just over 11 000 a year between 2009 and last year, according to the recorded live births report.

The report was one of two released by Statistician General Padi Lehohla in Pretoria yesterday.

The second report, the 2014 perinatal deaths report, shows a decrease of 3.6 percent in deaths compared to 2013.

The figures were 22 274 in 2013 and 21 908 in 2014. Perinatal deaths refer to stillbirths and babies who die in the first week after birth.

The 2013-2015 recorded live births report shows that in 2015 there were 1 084 511 birth registrations.

Lehohla said that while an increasing number of births were being registered in the year of birth, there was a need for parents to increase the timeliness of birth registrations. Parents were encouraged to register their newborn babies within 30 days of birth as stipulated in the Birth and Death Registration Act.

The reports on recorded live births and perinatal deaths were compiled from the civil registration system of the Department of Home Affairs.

Women between the ages of 20 to 29 delivered 50 percent of babies, and the number is mirrored in perinatal deaths: in 2014, 50 percent of perinatal deaths were from mothers aged 20 to 29.

Lehohla said the stats suggest there is a reduction in the number of births over the past three years.

“From 1.15 million to 1.14 million to 1.08 million. There is an indication that the total number of children born in the country has declined.”

The number of teen pregnancies in the Western Cape is decreasing, from 12 438 out of 98 292 were teens aged 15 to 19.

In 2014, teen pregnancies were 12 012 out of 102 070 births, and last year 10 382 babies were born to teen mothers out of 96 626 births.

In 2009, 108 043 babies were born in the Western Cape, while 96 626 babies were born last year.

In 2013, 98 292 babies were born in the Western Cape and in 2014 there was a spike when 102 070 babies were born.

The bulk of babies born in the Western Cape were birthed in Cape Town.

The trend for the city shows a decline in 2009, when 74 372 babies were born. Last year 64 570 births were recorded – a difference of 9 802.

The biggest dip was between 2012 and 2013 when 71 158 births were recorded – the next year (2013) 63 851 babies were born.