Lowest Number Of NI Deaths Recorded In 2011

2011 saw the lowest amount of deaths recorded in the history of Northern Ireland.

14,200 deaths were recorded last year, according to the Annual Report of the Registrar General, published today by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).

The report found 25,300 births were registered in 2011, which is a similar number to the last three years.

About 10% of births last year were to mothers born outside the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The report also shows many women are giving birth much later in life.

12,800 (just over half) of all births registered last year were to mothers aged 30 or more.

In the 1980s, the figures amounted to about one birth in every three.

The stats also showed the size of the Northern Ireland population rose by 7,500 people in the year to 30 June 2011. This brings the population to just over 1.8m.

In the year to 30 June 2011, births exceeded deaths by 10,900.

The report estimated that in the year to 30 June 2011 the number of people coming to live in Northern Ireland was 21,700. This was less than the number of people leaving Northern Ireland, estimated to be around 24,900 people.

A NISRA spokesperson said: "Last year saw the lowest number of deaths ever. After allowing for today’s older population death rates are now around half of those thirty years ago - a remarkable improvement. We also saw the lowest infant and stillbirth death rates ever last year.

"The report also points to trends in birth statistics. The number of births has remained stable at around 25,000 for the last number of years. Today around one birth in every ten is to a mother who was born outside Britain and Ireland. This is a three-fold increase from a decade ago and illustrates the increased diversity of the Northern Ireland population."

(IT/GK)