Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) provisional data show that in the first six months of the year 13 564 deaths were registered, which is 900 deaths or 6.2 % fewer than in the same period a year ago and 3 449 deaths or 20.3 % fewer than in 2021 when mortality went up significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The highest number of deaths – 2 702 – was recorded in January this year (336 deaths or 11.1 % fewer than in January 2023) while the lowest – 2 027 – in April (295 deaths or 12.7 % fewer than in April 2023).
The number of births kept declining and the total is about half as big as the number of deaths, which is a long-term trend: 6 344 children were born, which is 937 children or 12.9 % fewer than in H1 2023. The highest number of births (1 094) was recorded in May and the lowest in February (1 029). Therefore, natural population growth remains firmly in negative territory at -7,220 for the first six months of the year, slightly more than the equivalent period last year.
In H1 2024, 3 368 marriages were registered, which is 734 marriages or 17.9 % fewer than in the corresponding period a year ago and 221 marriages or 6.2 % fewer than in H1 2020 when due to the pandemic, gatherings such as marriage ceremonies were restricted.
