Births have been declining since the outbreak began

According to Statistics Canada, the number of births in the country has dropped slightly since the outbreak began.

In fact, the year 2020 ended with 358,604 births from coast to coast, which is 13,434 fewer births than the 372,038 recorded in 2019.

Although the birth rate is not a new phenomenon in Canada, it is the largest decline (3.6%) per year since 2006. This birth rate decline has been observed across the country. Canada.

According to Statistics Canada several factors can explain this sharp decline. The decline in international emigration, the closure of schools and daycare centers, job losses and financial uncertainty – all factors exacerbated by the pandemic – were cited as company explanations.

“A similar decline in the number of births has been observed in many other countries from 2019 to 2020. For example, the United States reported a 4% decline in births, while England and Wales reported a 3.9% decline,” the study said in a study released by Canada last Tuesday.

Everywhere except in the hospital

Yet, while still small, the number of out-of-hospital births increased last year, from 6,484 in 2019 to 7,606 in 2020.

The fear of going to the hospital with COVID-19 patients may have influenced many people in their choice of where to give birth.

“This trend is not new and has been seen in previous disease outbreaks.

Of the provinces most affected by these figures, Ontario (3,187 in 2019 and 3,861 in 2020) and Alberta (1,462 in 2019 and 1,853 in 2020) had the highest birth rates. More than a decade outside hospitals. British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan also saw sharp growth.