Northern Ireland population passes 1.75 million
Wednesday, 10 December 2008Northern Ireland's population exceeded 1.75 million in mid-2007, increasing by 1.0% over the previous year when the UK population increased by 0.6%. Last year there was also a marked increase in the number of babies born and marriages registered.
These are some of the findings in the 2007 Annual Report of the Registrar General published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA). The report provides information on births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, adoptions and divorces registered in 2007.
This year the report also contains an invited feature article “Northern Ireland Demographic Projections” by Tony Dignan, an independent economic and social researcher.
Commenting on his Annual Report, the Registrar General, Dr Norman Caven, said:
“I am pleased to present the latest Annual Report of the Registrar General. The population of Northern Ireland continues to change. Last year the population rose above the 1.75 million threshold and there was a 5% increase in the number of babies born and marriages registered. Understanding trends in these significant life events is important to us all. Therefore this year I invited Tony Dignan, an independent researcher, to comment on the future size and structure of the population. This article will help planners in understanding the projected size and structure of the population.”
POPULATION – Northern Ireland is the fastest growing country in the UK
The Northern Ireland population continues to rise – the estimate at 30 June 2007 was 1,759,100. This is an increase in population over the preceding 12 months of 17,500 people or 1.0%;
Between mid-2006 and mid-2007, the UK population increased by 0.6% to nearly 61 million in mid-2007. Compared to the 1.0% increase in the Northern Ireland population, the population of England grew by 0.6%, Scotland by 0.5% and Wales by 0.5%. In contrast in the Republic of Ireland the population increased by 2.5% in the year to April 2007; and
Between 2006 and 2007, Dungannon and Craigavon Local Government Districts had the greatest increases in population (3.8% and 2.4%). These rates of increase are more than twice the Northern Ireland percentage increase (1.0%).
BIRTHS – Number of births increases for fifth successive year
The number of births registered in Northern Ireland last year was 24,451, a 5% increase on the 2006 figure of 23,272 births;
Over recent years, the number of births to mothers born in one of the eight new EU accession countries has increased. The number of births in 2001 to mothers born in one of the eight new accession countries was 12. Between 2006 and 2007 the number of such births increased from 390 to 775; and
·Last year, just under 40% of all births in Northern Ireland occurred outside marriage. However this varies from area to area. In Belfast (56%) and Derry (51%) Local Government Districts over half of births were outside marriage. Whereas, in Magherafelt (23%) and Omagh (23%) Local Government Districts less than one-quarter of births were outside marriage.
DEATHS – Nearly 3,900 deaths from cancer in 2007
The number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland last year was 14,649, an increase of just over 100 deaths or 0.8% on the 14,532 deaths registered in 2006; and
Just under half of all deaths (43%) registered in Northern Ireland can be attributed to two major groups - cancer, 26% of deaths (3,870 deaths) and ischaemic heart disease, 17% of deaths (2,494 deaths);
MARRIAGES – August the most popular month to get married last year
Last year there were 8,687 marriages registered in Northern Ireland, an increase of 5% on the 2006 figure of 8,259 marriages. In contrast in the early 1970s there were 12,000 marriages celebrated each year; and
The most common month to get married in 2007 was August (1,430 couples) followed by July (1,196 couples). Saturday, 7 July 2007 was the most popular day in 2007 to get married, with 162 couples marrying on that date.
DIVORCES – Largest number of divorces on record in 2007
The number of marriages dissolved in Northern Ireland last year was 2,913. This is an increase from the 2006 figure of 2,565 divorces. In the decade 1995 to 2005 the number of divorces was fairly stable with an annual average of around 2,300 per year.
Notes to editors:
- This is the 86th Annual Report of the Registrar General for Northern Ireland. The report is available, at a cost of £25, from The Stationery Office, Belfast. ISBN number 978-0-337-09138-4; a digital copy can be accessed on the NISRA website http://www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp22.htm.
- The report includes commentary designed to bring out the key demographic trends and issues. Detailed statistical tables are available on CD and on the NISRA website at http://www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp22.htm.
- NISRA have scanned and created electronic copies of each of the previous Annual Reports of the Registrar General back to 1887. These reports are available on the NISRA website at http://www.nisra.gov.uk/demography/default.asp22.htm.
- A longer version of this press release is available at http://www.nisra.gov.uk/archive/demography/publications/annual_reports/2007/RG2007_PR.pdf.
- Corresponding information for England and Wales is published by the Office for National Statistics and for Scotland by the General Register Office for Scotland.
- Mr. Tony Dignan, an independent economic and social researcher, can be contacted for comment through the DFP Communications Office. All media inquiries should be directed to DFP Communications Office - Telephone: 028 9052 7374 or Fax: 028 9052 7149.
- Further statistical information can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services: Telephone 028 9034 8160, Fax: 028 9034 8161 or email census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk.
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