Romania’s population dropped by 23,400 in the first three months of the year due to natural decline, as the number of births was lower than the number of deaths.

The decline was 16% lower compared to the same period of last year, when the negative difference between the number of births and the number of deaths was almost 28,000, according to the National Statistics - INS.

In March 2016, the negative difference was 7,400, down 31% compared to March 2015.

Some 14,819 children were born in Romania in March, 328 fewer compared to March 2015, and 22,171 people died, down by 3,700 compared to March 2015.

Romania’s demographics: How many babies were born in the country in 2015?

editor@romania-insider.com