23 Dec 2016

Marshalls birth numbers in continued decline

11:20 am on 23 December 2016

The capital of the Marshall Islands is on track this year for having the lowest number of babies born since the 1980s.

Figures from Majuro hospital show 659 babies were born from January through November, a monthly average of 60.

Majuro birth numbers have fallen from 1,136 in 2005 to 877 in 2013 and 744 last year.

Out-migration to the United States has continued steadily, and possibly increased in numbers while the number of babies born in the Marshalls has also steadily declined.