Explanatory Notes

Decrease in the birth population

There was generally a downward trend in the number of recorded live births by place of occurrence and usual residence of the mother in the Province of Bulacan from 2017 to 2021. There was a decrease of 8.7 percent in the registered births by place of occurrence in 2021 as compared to the 2020 figure. Subsequently, the registered births by usual residence of mothers in 2021 also declined by 9.2 percent as compared to 2020.

Bulacan with the highest birth registration in Central Luzon

Among the provinces and independent cities in Region III, Bulacan had the highest number of registered births in 2021, with 23,454 males and 21,985 females. There were more males (51.6% share) as compared to females (48.4% share) in 2021.

On average, 124 births occurred daily in the province for the year 2021 which implied that a baby was born every twelve minutes throughout the year.

Highest occurrence of births recorded in the City of San Jose del Monte

The City of San Jose del Monte had the most number of live births registered by usual residence of the mother with 8,129 births. This was followed by Santa Maria with 3,848 and Marilao with 3,423 registered births. On the other hand, in terms of the place of occurrence of birth, apart from the City of San Jose del Monte, the City of Malolos, Municipalities of Santa Maria, Bocaue, and Baliuag had also high birth registration. The availability of healthcare facilities in these locations may have contributed to the increase of pregnant mothers delivering their babies in these areas rather than in their usual place of residence.
 

Most number of births registered in September

September was the month with the highest number of registered live births in 2021 with 4,819 recorded births (11% share). It was followed by October with 10 percent share, and August with 9 percent share. On the other hand, the month of February had the least number of registered births with 6 percent share.

More births are medically attended

Moreover, 98 percent of the registered births in 2021 were attended by health professionals while 2 percent were attended by traditional birth attendants.
Consequently, most of the pregnant mothers in Bulacan delivered their babies to health facilities. In 2021, there were 95 percent of facilities-based deliveries recorded in the province. The remaining 3 percent happened at the place of residence of the mother and 2 percent in other locations.
 

In terms of the age group of mothers and place of occurrence, 29 percent of recorded births in Bulacan for the year 2021 were from 25-29 years old mothers. This was followed by the age group 20-24 years old mothers with 24 percent recorded births and 22 percent births from 30-34 years old mothers.

It is also worth noting that the live birth records in 2021 showed the prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the province with 74 recorded births from mothers under 15 years of age and 3,972 births from mothers between 15 and 19 years old. On the other hand, there were also 4 recorded births from mothers 50 years old and above.

ELMOR G. BARROQUILLO
(Chief Statistical Specialist) Officer-in-Charge
Bulacan Provincial Statistical Office