Madam, – There has been much interest in an apparent increase in the number of births in 2008 (Home News, Septemer 1st). What has been overlooked, however, is that the total population has also grown. Comparison of the birth rates per 100,000 population during the past eight years does not, as yet, show firm evidence of a true increase.
The birth rates from 2000 to 2008, as reported by the CSO, were: 14.3, 15.0, 15.5, 15.5, 15.2, 14.8, 15.2, 16.3 and 17.0. While there seems to have been a rise during two recent years, this has also occurred in the past, but so have decreases. Therefore, until we have more data, we need to keep an open mind on any trend. – Yours, etc,