The year 2004 recorded the occurrences of 42,448 live births in Jamaica, 959 or 2.2% less than 2003 which had a total of 43,407.  The number of live births occurring has been on a downward trend reflecting a decrease of 12.9% since 2000 when there was a record total of 48,717.

In Graph 1 indicates the monthly trend for each parish is seen for live birth occurrences.

GRAPH 1: LIVE BIRTHS OCCURRING IN 2004 BY PARISH AND MONTH OF OCCURRENCE

The last quarter prevailed in recording the highest live birth occurrences. The month of October placed first with 4,320 (10.2%), December was next with 4,161 (9.8%) and November followed closely in third place with 4,153 (9.8%) of the total. In 2003, the first and last quarter took the top places as October, January and November recorded 4,197 (9.7%), 4,147 (9.6%) and 4,025 (9.3%) respectively.

TABLE 3: LIVE BIRTHS OCCURING IN 2004 BY PARISH AND MONTH OF OCCURENCE