The number of registered live births in La Union in 4^th quarter of 2021 totaled to 2,980. This figure is lower by 6.90 percent compared with the 3,201 registered live births in the same period of 2020. In 4^th quarter of 2021, the daily average birth occurrences in the province was computed at 32 or an average of two babies born per hour.  The month of December recorded the highest daily average births with 33 babies, while the month of November posted the lowest daily average births at 32 babies. (Table 1)

Meanwhile, in the same quarter a year ago, the month of October and December have the same daily average number of registered live births both with 33 babies while the month of November posted the lowest with 32 daily average births. (Figure 1)

Among the city/municipalities in the La Union, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of births in 4^th quarter of 2021 with 1,356 accounting to 45.50 percent of the total number of registered live births in La Union. Agoo ranked second with 731 live births (24.53 percent share). The municipalities of Naguilian, Balaoan and while Bacnotan distantly followed with 199 registered births (6.68 percent share), 176 registered births (5.91 percent share) and 127 registered births (4.26 percent share) respectively. (Figure 2)

Similarly, the City of San Fernando posted the highest number of registered live births in 4^th quarter of 2020 with 1,494 births or 46.67 percent of the total registered live births in the province. Agoo also ranked second with 767 births (23.96 percent share), Bacnotan, Naguilian and Rosario followed with 247 registered births (7.72 percent share), 237 registered births (7.40 percent share) and 94 registered births (2.94 percent share) respectively. (Table 2)

Males with 1,541 (51.71 percent share) outnumbered females with 1,439 (48.29 percent share) in terms of registered live births in the province in 4^th quarter of 2021 resulting to a sex ratio of 107 males per 100 females.

Ten city/municipalities registered a sex ratio that is higher than the provincial sex ratio. The highest sex ratio of 350 was recorded in the municipality of San Juan. It was followed by the municipalities of Bagulin and Burgos with a sex ratio of 186 and 150 respectively. (Table 3)

Majority of birth deliveries in La Union in 4^th quarter of 2021 were attended by medical professionals (physician, midwife, or nurse) accounting to 95.20% of the total registered birth deliveries. Births delivered by physicians recorded the highest number with 2,495 (83.72 percent share) followed by midwives with 327 (10.97 percent share) and nurse with 9 birth deliveries (0.30 percent share).

On the other hand, 145 births or 4.87 percent of the total delivered births in the province in 2021 4^th quarter were delivered by a hilot/traditional birth attendant. Meanwhile, there were 4 births (0.14 percent share) delivered by other birth attendants. (Figure 4)

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

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 October to December of 2020 and October to December 2021.