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Published: 26 July 2016

Record low number of children were born in Finland in early 2016

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, 26,517 children were born in Finland in January to June 2016. This is the lowest figure during Finland’s independence. Despite the fall in the number of births, the country's population grew by 6,269 persons during the first half of 2016. The reason for the population increase was migration gain from abroad: the number of immigrants was 7,022 higher than that of emigrants. The excess of births was negative as the number of births was 753 lower than that of deaths. Finland's population was 5,493,577 at the end of June.

Population increase by month 2013–2016*

From January to June Finland's population increased by 414 persons more than in the corresponding period in one year previously. The biggest reason for the growth in population increase was the increased migration gain received from abroad. Migration gain for immigration was 1,853 higher than the year before. Natural population increase went down by 1,439 persons from one year earlier.

According to the preliminary statistics of June, a total of 26,517 children were born during the first half of 2016, which was 912 fewer than in the corresponding period in 2015. The number of deaths was 27,270, which is 527 higher than one year earlier.

Altogether, 13,698 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 6,676 persons emigrated from Finland. The number of immigrants was 1,136 higher and the number of emigrants 717 lower than in the previous year's January to June. In all, 3,565 of the immigrants and 4,455 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.

According to preliminary data, there were 122,672 intermunicipal migrations between January and June. Compared with the previous year, the decrease was 2,380 migrations according to the municipal division of 2016.

According to preliminary data by region, the population grew only in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, North Ostrobothnia, Åland, Päijät-Häme, Central Ostrobothnia and Varsinais-Suomi in the early part of 2016.

The population grew most in absolute numbers in Uusimaa, where it went up by 10,253 persons. The next largest increase in population was seen in Pirkanmaa, 931 persons. Relative to the population, population increase was highest in Åland, 6.9 per mil and in Uusimaa, 6.3 per mil. Relative population growth was third largest in Pirkanmaa, 1.8 per mil. Population loss was highest in absolute numbers in the region Central Finland that lost 765 persons of its population. The population of Lapland decreased by 755 persons, which was the second biggest population loss. Relative to the population, the biggest population loss was found in South Karelia, 4.9 per mil.

Most migration gain from intramunicipal and international migration was collected by Uusimaa, 7,641 persons and Pirkanmaa, 775 persons. Most migration gain in relative terms based on total net migration was attained by Åland, 7.0 per mil and Uusimaa, 4.7 per mil.

In absolute numbers, migration loss from total net migration was biggest in the region of Ostrobothnia, 543 persons. In the region of Central Finland the loss was 522 persons. In relative terms, the migration loss from total net migration was also biggest in the region of Ostrobothnia, 3.0 per mil of the population.

During the first half of 2016, migration between regions numbered 55,427. The highest gain from migration between regions was seen in Uusimaa, Päijät-Häme, Pirkanmaa and Åland. In absolute numbers, the highest gain from migration between regions was received by Uusimaa, 4,779 persons. The relative migration gain was also highest in Uusimaa, 2.9 per mil of the population.

Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in absolute numbers in the region of Ostrobothnia, 900 persons. Migration loss from migration between regions was biggest in relative terms in the region of Ostrobothnia, 5.0 per mil of the population.

Source: Preliminary population statistics, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Matti Saari 029 551 3401, Miina Keski-Petäjä 029 551 3240, info@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Preliminary data on vital statistics by month of occurence 2016 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix table 2. Vital statistics, final data 2005 - 2015 and preliminary data 2016* (26.7.2016)
• Appendix table 3. Comparison between preliminary vital statistics in 2016 and 2015 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix table 4. Preliminary vital statistics by region 2016 and change compared to 2015 final data, quarters 1 - 2 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix table 5. Preliminary data by region on immigrants and emigrants according to country of departure/destination 2016, quarters 1 - 2 (26.7.2016)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Live births by quarter 1994 - 2015 and preliminary data 2016 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix figure 2. Deaths by quarter 1994 - 2015 and preliminary data 2016 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix figure 3.  Intermunicipal  migration by  quarter  1994 - 2015  and  preliminary data 2016 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix figure 4. Immigration by quarter 1994 - 2015 and preliminary data 2016 (26.7.2016)
• Appendix figure 5. Emigration by quarter 1994 - 2015 and preliminary data 2016 (26.7.2016)

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Updated 26.7.2016