The number of registered live births in La Union in 1^st Semester 2022 summed up to 5,111, an increase of 6.75 percent birth occurrences compared with 4,788 registered live births in same semester of 2021. The daily average birth occurrence in first semester 2022 was computed at 28 or an average of two babies born per hour. In first semester of 2022, the month of January recorded the highest number of registered live births at 898 births with a daily average of 29 babies, while the month of March and April posted the lowest number of registered live births at 813 births with a daily average birth of 26 and 27 babies, respectively. (Table 1)

Meanwhile in 1^st semester 2021, the month of March posted the highest registered live births at 873 births with daily average of 28 babies while the month of February recorded the lowest at 660 registered live births with daily average of 24 babies. (Figure 1)

Among the city/municipalities in the province, the City of San Fernando registered the highest number of births in 1^st semester 2022 with 2,159 or 42.24 percent of the total number of registered live births in La Union. Agoo ranked second with 1,360 live births (26.61 percent share). The municipalities of Naguilian, Balaoan and Bacnotan distantly followed with 376 registered births (7.36 percent share), 271 registered births (5.30 percent share) and 194 registered births (3.80 percent share) respectively. (Figure 2)

Similarly, the City of San Fernando posted the highest number of registered live births in 1^st semester 2021 with 2,166 births or 45.24 percent of the total registered live births in the province. Agoo also ranked second with 1,077 births (22.49 percent share). Naguilian, Bacnotan and Balaoan followed with 294 registered births (6.14 percent share), 210 registered births (4.39 percent share) and 204 registered births (4.26 percent share), respectively. (Table 2)

Males with 2,596 (50.79 percent share) outnumbered females with 2,515 (49.21 percent share) in terms of registered live births in the province in 1^st semester 2022 resulting to a sex ratio of 103 males per 100 females.

Eight city/municipalities registered a sex ratio that is higher than the provincial ratio. The highest sex ratio of 167 was recorded in San Juan. This was followed by Luna with sex ratio of 133 and Pugo with 125. (Table 3)

Majority (91.47) of birth deliveries in La Union in 1^st semester 2022 were attended by medical professionals (physician, midwife, or nurse). Births delivered by physicians recorded the highest number with 4,156 (81.31 percent share) followed by midwives with 510 (9.98 percent share) and nurse with nine birth deliveries (0.18 percent share).

On the other hand, 429 births or 8.39 percent of the total delivered births in the province in 1^st semester 2022 were delivered by a hilot/traditional birth attendant. Meanwhile, there were seven births (0.14 percent share) delivered by other birth attendants. (Figure 4)

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 June of 2021 and 2022.

SGD. DANITES E. TEÑIDO, PhD
Chief Statistical Specialist

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