The number of registered live births in La Union in 2021 summed up to 10,503, a decrease of 12.28 percent birth occurrences compared with 11,973 registered live births in 2020. The daily average birth occurrence in 2021 was computed at 29 or an average of two babies born per hour.  In 2021, the month of September recorded the highest daily average births at 36 babies, while the month of February posted the lowest daily average births at 24 babies. (Table 1)

Meanwhile in 2020, the month of January posted the highest daily average number of registered live births at 49 babies while the month of April posted the lowest with 22 daily average births. (Figure 1)

Among the city/municipalities in the province, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of births in 2021 with 4,865 or 46.32 percent of the total number of registered live births in La Union. Agoo ranked second with 2,387 live births (22.73 percent share). The municipalities of Naguilian, Balaoan and Bacnotan distantly followed with 675 registered births (6.43 percent share), 500 registered births (4.76 percent share) and 467 registered births (4.45 percent share) respectively. (Figure 2)

Similarly, the City of San Fernando posted the highest number of registered live births in 2020 with 5,650 births or 47.19 percent of the total registered live births in the province. Agoo also ranked second with 2,732 births (22.82 percent share), Bacnotan, Naguilian and San Gabriel followed with 737 registered births (6.16 percent share), 656 registered births (5.48 percent share) and 495 registered births (4.14 percent share) respectively. (Table 2)

Males with 5,400 (51.41 percent share) outnumbered females with 5,103 (48.59 percent share) in terms of registered live births in the province in 2021 resulting to a sex ratio of 106 males per 100 females.

Seven city/municipalities registered a sex ratio that is higher than the provincial ratio. The highest sex ratio of 127 was recorded in Burgos. This was followed by Caba and Bangar with the same sex ratio of 121, Luna with 114, and City of San Fernando with 106. (Table 3)

Majority of 91.80% birth deliveries in La Union in 2021 were attended by medical professionals (physician, midwife, or nurse). Births delivered by physicians recorded the highest number with 8,543(81.34 percent share) followed by midwives with 1,085 (10.33 percent share) and nurse with 14 birth deliveries (0.13 percent share).

On the other hand, 846 births or 8.05 percent of the total delivered births in the province in 2021 were delivered by a hilot/traditional birth attendant. Meanwhile, there were 15 births (0.14 percent share) delivered by other birth attendants. (Figure 4)

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, Ph.D.
Chief Statistical Specialist

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Explanatory Notes

            Data on births presented in this release were obtained from the Certificate of Birth (Municipal Form No. 102) that were registered at the Office of the City/Municipal Civil Registrars in La Union and forwarded to the Philippine Statistics Authority La Union Provincial Statistical Office. Information presented include births registered from January to December of 2020 and 2021.