This page is archived.

Data published after 5 April 2022 can be found on the renewed website.

Go to the new statistics page

Published: 8 April 2014

Number of births fell further

According to Statistics Finland's data on population changes, the number of births decreased clearly from the year before. In 2013, 58,134 children were born, which was 1,359 fewer than in the year before. The number of births has now decreased for the third year in succession.

Live births 1971–2013

 Live births 1971–2013

At the fertility rate prevailing in 2013, a woman would give birth to an average of 1.75 children, according to the 2012 fertility rate the number was 1.80. Since 1969, the birth rate has been below the threshold on population's renewal, which is approximately 2.1 children per woman.

Examined by the age of the mother, the birth rate decreased most clearly for age groups under the age of 29 but also for mothers aged between 31 and 36. In 2013, especially the number of first children decreased from the year before. Women become mothers at ever later age. The mean age at first confinement rose by one decimal to 28.6 years in 2013. During the 2000s, the mean age at first confinement has risen by one year. The mean age of all women at confinement also rose by one decimal and was 30.4 years.

Measured with the total fertility rate, the birth rate was above the rate for the whole country in 14 regions. At the 2013 fertility rate, most children were born in the regions of Ostrobothnia and Kainuu: On average, 2.30 children per woman in Central Ostrobothnia, 2.24 in North Ostrobothnia and 2.02 in South Ostrobothnia and in Kainuu. The birth rate exceeded the threshold on population's renewal only in the two first mentioned regions. The lowest average birth rate of 1.58 was recorded in the region of Uusimaa.

In Finland's largest cities, the birth rate was highest in Oulu, where the total fertility rate was 2.03 in the five-year period between 2009 and 2013. The second highest rates were found in Espoo, 1.94 and Vantaa, 1.85. Respectively, the birth rate was lowest in Helsinki, where the total fertility rate was 1.35. The rate was 1.39 in Turku and 1.50 in Tampere.

Number of live births, total fertility rate and mother's mean age by live births in 2004–2013

Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Number of live births   57 758   57 745   58 840   58 729   59 530   60 430   60 980   59 961   59 493   58 134
Total fertility rate 1,80 1,80 1,84 1,83 1,85 1,86 1,87 1,83 1,80 1,75
Mother's mean age by all live births 30,0 30,0 30,0 30,0 30,1 30,1 30,1 30,3 30,3 30,4
Mother's mean age by first live birth  27,8 27,9 28,0 28,1 28,2 28,2 28,3 28,4 28,5 28,6

Source: Population and Cause of Death Statistics. Statistics Finland

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

Director in charge: Riitta Harala

Publication in pdf-format (297.9 kB)

Tables

Tables in databases

Pick the data you need into tables, view the data as graphs, or download the data for your use.

Appendix tables

Figures
Quality descriptions

Updated 8.4.2014

Referencing instructions:

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Births [e-publication].
ISSN=1798-2413. 2013. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 29.3.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/synt/2013/synt_2013_2014-04-08_tie_001_en.html