Fewer Babies in Austria: Only Vienna Records an Increase
The average number of children per woman dropped to an all-time low of 1.31, it was reported on Wednesday. The birth balance, the difference between live births and deaths, was negative for the fifth consecutive time since 2020, with minus 10,534. A total of 87,407 people died last year, 2.6 percent less than in 2023.
Even though the final numbers may change slightly due to late reports, the trend towards fewer births is visible. "Based on the experiences of recent years, the final number of births in 2024 is expected to be about 400 higher. Similarly, about 1,200 additional deaths are expected for 2024," said Statistics Austria. The total numbers include 434 children born abroad to mothers registered in Austria and 758 people who died abroad but had their main residence in Austria.
Babies in Austria: Birth Increase Only in Vienna
Births declined in eight federal states last year compared to the final results of 2023. The decline in births was most pronounced in Burgenland (−5.7 percent) and Salzburg (−5.3 percent), followed by Styria (−4.5 percent) and Vorarlberg (−4.1 percent). The number of newborns decreased the least in Upper Austria (−0.3 percent) and Tyrol (−1.3 percent). Only in Vienna was a birth increase of 4.7 percent recorded. In the federal capital, 18,926 girls and boys were born. Burgenland had the fewest births nationwide with 1,866.
According to the first estimate of life expectancy at birth last year, men live 0.4 years longer compared to 2023. Statistically, they now live to 79.8 years instead of 79.4. For women, there was an increase of 0.1 years from 84.2 to 84.3 years. The number of deaths in the first year of life was 233 in 2024. The infant mortality rate was thus 3 per mille.
Fewer Deaths in Seven Federal States
Overall, the number of deaths was lower in seven federal states compared to the previous year, according to preliminary figures. The decline was strongest in Vienna (minus five percent) and lowest in Salzburg (minus 0.7 percent). In Burgenland (plus 3.7 percent) and Vorarlberg (plus 3.2 percent), more deaths were recorded last year than the year before.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.