Birth rate

A fraction, whose numerator is the total number of births in a population during a given period and whose denominator is the total number of person-years lived by the population during that period. The latter is generally approximated by the size of the population at the mid-point of the period multiplied by the length of the period in years. The rate is usually stated per 1,000. Like other rates in which the population at the mid-point of the period is used as the denominator of the fraction, this is sometimes called the central birth rate. Where birth rate is used without qualification, the live birth rate is generally meant and only live births appear in the numerator. The total birth rate, based on live births and late fetal deaths, is sometimes calculated. Legitimate birth rates and illegitimate birth rates, with legitimate and illegitimate births respectively, are computed; and the illegitimacy ratio, the number of illegitimate births per LOOO total births, is frequently used. To compare the fertility of different populations, standardized birth rates (the definition above being the crude birth rate) are often used to eliminate the effect on the birth rate of differences in structure of the population (most commonly the age and sex structure).

The number of births per year, shown per thousand of the population.

Number of live babies born during a given period for a stipulated population (e.g., the 1983 birth rate for the United States was 15.6 per 1,000 population).

The number of live births within a population in 1 year divided by the average or midyear number of people in that population. If total population (that is, males and females of all ages) is used, the result is called the crude birth rate. If population is restricted to females of childbearing age, the so called true birth rate is the result. Birth rate is a key statistic in determining whether a population is growing, remaining steady, or declining in size.

This means the number of babies born per 1000 persons (as opposed to fertility rate which is the number of babies born per 1000 women aged 15-44). In 2007, the UK rate was 12.6, representing 770,700 live births; about 40 percent were outside marriage. Overall, total fertility is rising slowly, having reached its lowest point in 2001. Of the E&W babies, 22,512 were born to women over 40, double the number of ten years previously. In the UK (excluding Northern Ireland), 212,202 legal abortions were performed in 2007 under the Abortion Act 1967.

The number of live births per 1000 in the population in a given year.

Birth rate is a statistical indicator that measures the number of births that occur within a specific year in relation to the size of the population. It provides valuable information about the fertility trends and demographic dynamics of a given population. By analyzing the birth rate, researchers and policymakers can gain insights into population growth, reproductive health patterns, and the overall well-being of a community or country.