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Northern Ireland's population is at an all time high - as its death rate reaches its lowest level ever. Paul Faith/PA Archive
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's death rate at its lowest ever
Northern Ireland’s Registrar General says combined high birth rates and low mortality has led to the lowest death rate ever.
NORTHERN IRELAND’S POPULATION has reached its highest level ever – with the country’s death rate now at its lowest rate on record.
The annual report of the country’s Registrar General, published today, showed that the most recent estimate of the North’s population was just 600 off the 1.8 million mark – a barrier which has almost certainly been surpassed since, with that estimate being made on June 30 of last year.
The number of deaths recorded in the jurisdiction last year was 14,457 – an increase of 44 from 2009.
When combined with the number of births, however – which was up to 25,315, having hit an all-time low around a decade ago – the North’s death rate is now at its lowest in history.
The rate now stands at 8.0 deaths per 1,000 population.
The report also showed that there was a 2.8 per cent increase in the number of marriages granted in Northern Ireland in 2010, while the number of divorces was up by 19.5 per cent.
Between December 2005 – when the relevant laws came into force – and the end 0f 2010, 537 same-sex civil partnerships were registered, including 116 last year.
62 of those partnerships involved female couples, with males accounting for 54 partnerships.
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