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Published: 12 April 2013

Birth rate continued decreasing slowly

According to Statistics Finland's data on population changes, the birth rate decreased for the second year in a row. At the fertility rate prevailing in 2012, a woman would give birth to an average of 1.80 children. Since 1969, the birth rate has been below the threshold on population's renewal, which is approximately 2.1 children per woman.

Total fertility rate 1900–2012

The number of births fell slightly from the previous year. In 2012, 59,493 children were born, which was 468 less than in the year before. Examined by the age of the mother, the birth rate decreased a little in all age groups under the age of 36, but most clearly for women in their 30s.

Women become mothers at ever later age. The mean age at first confinement rose by one decimal to 28.5 years in 2012. During the 2000s, the mean age at first confinement has risen by 0.9 years. The mean age of all women at confinement remained unchanged at 30.3 years.

Measured with the total fertility rate, the birth rate was above the rate for the whole country in 15 regions in 2012. The Ostrobothnian regions had the highest relative numbers of births: On average 2.37 children per woman in North Ostrobothnia, 2.26 in Central Ostrobothnia and 2.20 in South Ostro-bothnia. The birth rate exceeded the threshold on population's renewal in only these three regions. The lowest average birth rate of 1.60 was recorded in the region of Uusimaa.

In Finland's largest cities, the highest birth rate is in Oulu, where the total fertility rate was 2.06 in the five year period of 2008-2012. The second highest rates were found in Espoo, 1.95 and Vantaa, 1.90. Respectively, the lowest birth rate was found in Helsinki, where the total fertility rate was 1.36. The rate was 1.41 in Turku and 1.52 in Tampere.

Number of live births, total fertility rate and mother's mean age by live births in 2003–2012

Year	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012
Number of live births	56 630	57 758	57 745	58 840	58 729	59 530	60 430	60 980	59 961	59 493
Total fertility rate	1,76	1,80	1,80	1,84	1,83	1,85	1,86	1,87	1,83	1,80
Mother's mean age by all live births	30,0	30,0	30,0	30,0	30,0	30,1	30,1	30,1	30,3	30,3
Mother's mean age by first live birth	27,9	27,8	27,9	28,0	28,1	28,2	28,2	28,3	28,4	28,5

Source: Population and Cause of Death Statistics. Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Timo Nikander (09) 1734 3250, vaesto.tilasto@stat.fi

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

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Tables

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Total fertility rate by region 2002 - 2012 (12.4.2013)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Live births 1971 - 2012 (12.4.2013)
• Appendix figure 2. Age-specific fertility rates 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2012 (12.4.2013)
• Appendix figure 3. Total fertility rate by municipality for the years 2008 - 2012 (12.4.2013)

Quality descriptions

• Quality description, births 2012 (12.4.2013)

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Updated 12.4.2013