In the first nine months of 2021, 2037 more children were born in Norway than in the same period last year. The first peak came nine months after the spring 2020 close and the second after summer travel restrictions.
Baby boom in Norway. A turning point?
In August, the Statistics Norway (SSB) announced that 575 more babies were born between April and June this year than at the same time last year. Preliminary data from the Medical Birth Register show that in the first nine months of this year there were 2037 more births than in the corresponding period a year earlier.
Whether this trend is only temporary, we'll find out more in a few years
- It is interesting, if only because of the decrease in the number of births annually from 63 to 000 in twelve years. Surprisingly, the trend reverses approximately nine months after Norway closes in spring 53. Whether this trend is only temporary or will continue, we will know more in a few years, says chief physician Ferenc Macsali of the Medical Birth Register at the National Institute of Public Health.
The fertility rate has been falling since 2009. A turning point nine months after closure
January 2021 was the first month in which the number of births increased. This month, 215 more children were born than in January 2020, an increase of 4,9%. Children born in January 2021 were conceived in April 2020, just weeks after Norway's closure on March 12.
Then the trend continued with more births, with the largest increase in March 2021. This month, 376 more children were born than in March 2020, an increase of 8,3%. Babies born this month were conceived in the summer of 2020, the first year with travel restrictions.
What is the reason why the trend of declining births reversed nine months after the March 2020 close?
- We do not have any scientific documentation on this, so it will only be speculation. Having children is often put off in times of crisis, so this is a bit different, replies Ferenc Macsali.
He refers to previous reports from the USA and Europe which showed that perceived economic uncertainty has a negative effect on birth rate.
– This does not seem to have affected the Norwegian numbers. However, preliminary data for the rest of the world shows that Denmark, the Netherlands, Hungary and Croatia also saw their birth rates increase from winter and spring 2021. However, most other countries European countries, there has been no change nor decline, he says.
The greatest increase in the North
New data from the Medical Birth Register shows that the birth rate increased in all counties and regions in the first nine months of 2020 compared to 2021:
At provincial level, the birth rate increased most in Nordland (+ 13,7%) and Troms and Finnmark (+ 7,7%). The smallest growth was recorded by Innlandet, Vestfold and Telemark.
Source: FHI
