Since the 1995 publication, the number of children born in wedlock has varied between 12 – 18% of live births occurring in Jamaica.  For this current year, 2004, births in wedlock totalled 6,835 or 16.1% and out of wedlock 35,613 or 83.9%.  These figures were on par with 2003 which saw in wedlock at 7,107 or 16.4% and out of wedlock at 36,300 or 83.6% of live births occurring.

Of the total live births occurring, both in wedlock and out of wedlock, 54.7% were to fathers who had their particulars entered on the birth registration form; an increase of 0.5% over that of 2003.  Of illegitimate births, that is births out of wedlock, only 16,397 or 38.6% father’s accepted paternity, an increase of 0.8% over 2003. Furthermore, of these out of wedlock occurrences, 16,324 or 99.6% were to father’s registered on signature, otherwise known as “A and B” registration, and the remaining 73 or 0.4% were on Declaration or “Status”.  In comparison, 2003 saw a similar experience with 99.1% registered on “A and B” and 0.9% on “Status” registrations. (Table 4)

The agency continues to increase its efforts to educate fathers of the importance of having their particulars entered on their child’s birth record.  Its efforts are been rewarded as the proportion of father’s registered from the “out of wedlock” category has increased. Since 1999, the percentage of these fathers registered for births out of wedlock has increased from 36.7% in 1999 to 46.0% in the current year.  However, there is still more progress to be made and the agency continues to include in its efforts the use of regularly presented educational programmes in the electronic media, along with outreaches to schools and other relevant interest groups.

(Table 4)

TABLE 4: LIVE BIRTHS OCCURING IN 2004 BY PARISH OF OCCURRENCE SHOWING IN WEDLOCK AND OUT WEDLOCK