30 November 2009 - Statistical News Release - Population set to pass 1.8 million next year

These are some of the findings in the Annual Report of the Registrar General published by the Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) today. The report provides information on births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, adoptions and divorces registered in 2008.

Today cancer is one of the most common causes of death with nearly 4,000 deaths annually. Every year the disease touches a large number of individuals and families across Northern Ireland. Therefore this year the report contains an invited article entitled, 'A Review of Cancer Mortality in Northern Ireland', by Dr Anna Gavin and Dr David Donnelly of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queen’s University Belfast.

Population – High fertility drives continued population growth

• The size of the Northern Ireland resident population rose in the year to 30 June 2008 by 15,900 people or 0.9% to 1,775,000;
• There are more births than deaths in Northern Ireland leading to the population growing through natural change. In the year to 30 June 2008, births exceeded deaths by 10,600; this is the highest level of natural change seen since the year to mid-1992;
• Between 2007 and 2008, Craigavon and Dungannon Local Government Districts had the greatest increases in population (2.3% and 2.0%). These rates of increase are more than twice the Northern Ireland percentage increase (0.9%); and
• In the future the Northern Ireland population is projected to exceed 1.8 million by 2010 and 1.9 million by 2019. Longer-term projections indicate the population will reach 2 million by the early 2030s.

Births – Seventeen year high in the number of babies born

• The number of births registered in Northern Ireland last year was 25,631, a 5% increase on the 2007 figure of 24,451 births;
• For the first time since falling below replacement level (2.1) in 1992, the total period fertility rate for 2008 has again risen above replacement at 2.11 children, which is a recovery from the record low of 1.75 children in 2000;
• Over recent years, the number of births to mothers born in one of the eight EU accession countries has increased. The number of births in 2001 to mothers born in one of the eight accession countries was 12. Between 2007 and 2008 the number of such births increased from 775 to 1,080; and
• Last year, 39% of all births in Northern Ireland occurred outside marriage. However this varies from area to area. In Belfast (57%) and Derry (50%) Local Government Districts at least half of births were outside marriage. Whereas, in Magherafelt (24%) and Omagh (24%) Local Government Districts less than one-quarter of births were outside marriage.

Deaths – Nearly 4,000 deaths from cancer in 2008

• The number of deaths registered in Northern Ireland last year was 14,907, a slight increase on the 2007 figure of 14,649;
• Although the number of deaths increased last year, the long-term trend is one of falling death rates. The reduction in the death rate in recent years has occurred despite the population increasing in size and containing a higher proportion of elderly people; and
• In 2008, 3,971 people died from cancer, a slight increase on recent years. This however can be accounted for by the ageing population. When age is taken into account death rates from cancer for both males and females have fallen by around 1% per year. Cancer deaths represent 27% of all deaths registered in 2008 compared to 18% of all deaths in 1978.

Marriages – Friday 8 August most popular day to get married last year

• Last year there were 8,510 marriages registered in Northern Ireland, a decrease of 177 marriages or 2% on the 2007 figure of 8,687 marriages; and
• The most common month to get married in 2008 was August (1,486 couples) followed by July (1,072 couples). Friday 8 August 2008 was the most popular day in 2008 to get married, with 139 couples marrying on that date.

Divorces – Second highest number on record

There were 2,773 divorces granted in 2008, this is a decrease of 140 divorces or 5% from the 2007 figure of 2,913 divorces. However the 2008 figure is the second highest on record after the 2007 figure which was the highest number of divorces ever recorded in Northern Ireland.

Notes to editors:

1. This is the 87th Annual Report of the Registrar General for Northern Ireland. The report is available, at a cost of £25, from The Stationary Office, Belfast ISBN number 978-0-337-09569-6; a digital copy can be accessed on the NISRA website.
2. 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.
3. Corresponding information for England and Wales is published by the Office for National Statistics and for Scotland by the General Register Office for Scotland.
4. Dr Anna Gavin and Dr David Donnelly of the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry have written an article in the report on trends in cancer mortality in Northern Ireland. A summary of this article is attached. Dr Donnelly can be contacted for comment through the DFP Press Office. All media inquiries should be directed to the DFP Press Office:
   Telephone: 028 9052 7374
   Fax: 028 9052 7149
5. Further information on the statistics provided in this publication can be obtained from NISRA Customer Services at:
   Telephone: 028 9034 8160
   Fax: 028 9034 8161
   E-mail: census.nisra@dfpni.gov.uk