Baltics register negative rate of natural increase; birthrate up in Latvia and Estonia

RIGA - In July of this year, all three Baltic nations registered a negative rate of natural increase, but statistics in Estonia are much more positive than in Latvia and Lithuania, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau.

At the start of 2016 Lithuania's population was 2.89 million, Latvia's was 1.97 million, and Estonia's was 1.32 million.

Between January and July of this year, deaths surpassed births in Lithuania by 6,639 individuals, in Latvia by 3,991, and in Estonia by 801.

Compared to the same period last year, the negative rate of natural increase has slowed down slightly in all three Baltic nations, as in Lithuania deaths exceeded births by 6,822 individuals between Jan. and July 2015, in Latvia by 4,233 individuals, and in Estonia by 1,031.

However, birthrate figures are slightly better in both Latvia and Estonia this year. 12,800 children were born in Latvia between Jan. and July 2015, compared to 12,821 in the same period of 2016. In Lithuania, 18,229 children were born during this period, but only 17,772 this year. In Estonia, 8,133 children were born between Jan. and July 2015, compared to 8,150 in 2016.