Romania’s population continued to drop in May this year, when the country lost 5,623 people only due to the natural decline (number of live births minus number of deaths), 63.5% more than in the same month of 2017, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INS), local News.ro reported.

A total of 15,301 babies were born in May 2018, 2,592 more than in April and 1,733 fewer than in May 2017. Meanwhile, the number of deaths increased by 450 year-on-year, reaching 20,924 in May this year.

Infant mortality in Romania also increased in May 2018 compared to the same month of last year. A total of 130 deaths of babies under one year of age were reported in May this year, 12 more than a year ago.

In 2017, Romania lost slightly over 69,200 people due to natural decline, 27.5% than in the previous year.

Study shows demographic gap between Eastern and Western Europe

Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com