The birth rate in the EU27 is rising. In 2008 this rate reached 10.9 live births per thousand inhabitants, 0.3 more than in 2007.
France has the highest birth rate of the Mediterranean countries with 13 births per 1,000 inhabitants, against 12.9 in 2007 and 13.3 in 2000. Cyprus ranks second recording a sharp increase: From 10.9 births per thousand inhabitants in 2007 to 11.6 in 2008 (and 12.2 in 2000). The third place is held by Spain, with 11.4 births per thousand inhabitants, more than the 11 recorded in 2007. Slovenia is fourth with 10.4 live births per thousand inhabitants, (9.9 in 2007), followed by Greece with 10.3 (10 in 2007), Malta with 10 (9.5 in 2007), Portugal with 9.8 (9.7 in 2007) and Italy with 9.6, slightly more than the 9.5 of 2007.
Among the EU candidates, Turkey goes against the trend: In 2008 the country’s birth rate fell to 17.9 per thousand inhabitants (19.4 in 2007 and 20.2 in 2000), 7 babies above the EU average. Macedonia recorded a birth rate of 11.1 in 2007 and 11.2 in 2008), Croatia saw its births increase from 9.4 in 2007 to 9.9 in 2008.
(Courtesy: www.ansamed.info)
