Report reveals NI population trends

According to new statistics, Northern Ireland's population is continuing to grow slightly, but the figures also reveal that up to a third of all births now occur outside of marriage.

The figures, provided by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency, number the total births and deaths in the province since 1991. The figures indicate that births outside of marriage have risen by more than a third and now represent 32.5% of all registered births in 2001.

Audrey Simpson, Northern Ireland director of the Family Planning Association, however, was not unduly concerned by the rise, saying: "This increase reflects what is happening in the rest of the UK – society is changing and so is Northern Ireland."

Overall, the report reveals an increase in births and a drop in the number of deaths across Northern Ireland.

A total of 21,959 births were recorded to Northern Ireland resident mothers in 2001 compared to 21,512 in 2000. However, the numbers of births during both years were the lowest ever recorded in the province. Last year's figure indicates a fall of around 4,000 births from the 1991 mark.

The report also revealed that the number of deaths in Northern Ireland dropped to 14,513 in 2001, compared to 14,903 the year before.

The number of stillbirths in Northern Ireland, meanwhile, rose from 93 in 2000 to 112 in the year 2001, while number of infant deaths rose from 109 in 2000 to 134 the year before.

Both sets of figures were also the lowest ever recorded in Northern Ireland. (MB)