Live birth occurrence in Iloilo increases in 2023

In 2023, the total number of registered live births that occurred in Iloilo increased by 1.9 percent, which rose from 28,815 in 2022 to 29,353. However, the trends varied between the Province of Iloilo and Iloilo City. In the Province of Iloilo, the number of births decreased by 4.0 percent, from 20,421 in 2022 to 19,612 in 2023. In contrast, Iloilo City recorded a 16.0 percent increase, from 8,394 in 2022 to 9,741 in 2023. On Average  a total of 80 babies were born alive per day in Iloilo or about 2-3 babies per hour.

When categorized by the usual residence of the mother, the total number of births registered increased by 0.7 percent, from 28,311 in 2022 to 28,518 in 2023. In the Province of Iloilo, births based on the mother's usual residence saw a 1.1 percent increase, from 23,333 in 2022 to 23,596 in 2023. Meanwhile, in Iloilo City, births declined by 1.1 percent, from 4,978 in 2022 to 4,922 in 2023.

More males born than females

Of the 19,612 babies born alive in the Province of Iloilo, 10,211 (52.1%) were male, while 9,401 (47.9%) were female. This results in a male-to-female ratio of 109:100, meaning that for every 109 male babies, 100 female babies were born.

On the other hand, in the City of Iloilo, 5,001 (51.3%) of the registered live births were male, while 4,740 (48.6%) were female. This equates to a sex ratio of 106 males for every 100 females.

Most live birth occurrences in the third district of Iloilo

Among the districts, the Third District recorded the highest number of births, with 6,565 (28.4%), followed by the Fifth District with 4,313 (18.6%) and the Fourth District with 3,582 (15.4%). The Second District had 2,842 births (12.3%), while the First District recorded the lowest number of births at 2,310 (10.0%).

The Third and Fifth Districts combined accounted for nearly half (47.0%) of the total births among the five districts, while the First and Second Districts had the lowest combined share at 22.3%. 

Pototan records most live births in Iloilo; San Rafael records least

Pototan recorded the highest number of occurrences with 2,624 (12.8%), followed by Barotac Nuevo with 1,696 (8.3%) and Guimbal with 1,600 (7.8%). Sara accounted for 1,547 (7.5%), while Santa Barbara had 1,437 (7.0%). These five areas collectively made up 43.4 percent of the total occurrences. The high number of occurrences in these municipalities may be attributed to the presence of hospitals and healthcare facilities that serve not only local residents but also those from neighboring towns. 

San Rafael had the lowest number of occurrences with 4 (0.02%), followed by San Enrique with 10 (0.05%) and New Lucena with 11 (0.05%). Igbaras and Oton both recorded 16 occurrences (0.08%). These five areas combined accounted for only 0.3 percent of the total. 

More live births in the latter months of the year

The highest number of occurrences was recorded in January (1,855), September (1,803), and October (1,812), while the lowest was in April (1,426). A general increase can be observed towards the latter part of the year, peaking in October.

Similarly, the City of Iloilo recorded the highest occurrences in October (924), December (900), and September (898), while the lowest was in April (725). The trend follows a pattern similar to that of Iloilo Province, with higher occurrences in the last quarter of the year.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Live Birth is a complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of the pregnancy, which after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such birth is considered live born.

Originally Signed
JERRY L. DOLUTAN
(Supervising Statistical Specialist)    
Officer-in-Charge
PSA RSSO VI - Iloilo