The FINANCIAL — Births
The number of live births equaled 53,293 in 2017, registering a 5.8 percent decrease from the previous year. The sex ratio at birth (male births per 100 female births) equaled 107.9 in 2017.
In 2017, the largest number of live births was recorded in Tbilisi (14,906) while the smallest – in Racha- Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region (341).
Compared to 2016, in 2017 the share of the first child in total births decreased from 40.6 percent to 38.9 percent. Consequently, the share of the third and next order child increased from 21.3 percent to 22.6 percent, while the share of the second child remained practically unchanged.
Compared to 2016, in 2017 the share of births for women aged less than 25 declined from 35.6 percent to 32.7 percent, while increasing for women aged 25-39 (from 61.6 percent to 64.6 percent), and remaining unchanged for women aged 40 years and older.
The mean age of mothers at first birth equaled 25.4 years, according to GeoStat.
Deaths
In 2017 the number of deaths increased by 5.8 percent in annual terms and totaled 47,822 persons. The largest number of deaths was recorded in Tbilisi (11,976) while the smallest – in Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti Region (736).
The number of infant deaths equaled 512 in 2017. Accordingly, the infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) equaled 9.6 ‰, a 0.6 points increase from the previous year.
The under-5 mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) remained practically unchanged and totaled 11.1‰.
Natural Increase
In 2017 the natural increase (the difference between the number of births and the number of deaths) equaled 5,471 decreasing by 5.6 percent year-on-year.
In 2017, negative natural increase was registered in Kakheti, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Guria, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Imereti regions.
Marriages
The number of registered marriages equaled 23,684 in 2017, posting a 5.6 percent decrease from the previous year.
Divorces
The number of divorces equaled 10,222 declining by 7.2 percent compared to the previous year.
