Forty-seven babies born daily in Davao del Norte, on average

In 2022, a total of 17,223 live births were registered in Davao del Norte. This equates to a 2.5% increase in the registered live births in the province from the total number in 2021 of 16,811.

Table 1. Number of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Usual Residence of Mother, Davao del Norte: 2021 and 2022

On the average, 47 babies were born daily in the province, which translates to two babies born per hour.

Highest occurrence of births recorded in the City of Tagum

Of the total live births, the highest number of birth occurrences was recorded in the City of Tagum (40.1%). This was followed by Carmen (18.0% share) and Kapalong (14.4%). This translates to 4 in 10 live births in the province registered in the City of Tagum.

In 2022, most of the usual residence of mothers who gave birth resided in the three (3) component cities of Davao del Norte. The City of Tagum got the highest share of resident mothers (27.2%), followed by the City of Panabo (19.3%), and the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) (10.6%).

Among municipalities, Santo Tomas got the highest share of 10.0%.

On the other hand, the Municipality of Braulio E. Dujali got the smallest share of 2.2%.

Table 2. Number and Percent Share of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Usual Residence of Mother, Davao del Norte: 2022

More males were born than females

More males (8,996 or 52.2%) were born than females (8,227 or 47.8%), resulting in a sex ratio at birth of 109 males per 100 females. 

Among cities and municipalities, the highest sex ratio at birth of 135 males was recorded in Braulio E. Dujali. 

In contrast, more females were born than males in the Island Garden City of Samal and San Isidro resulting in a sex ratio at birth of 96 males per 100 females and 86 males per 100 females, respectively.

Table 3. Number of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Usual Residence of Mother, Davao del Norte: 2022

Most number of births registered in December

In 2022, most registered births occurred in December at 1,583 or 9.2% of the total births in the province. It was followed by the months of October (9.2%) and September (9.1%). On the other hand, the month of February had the least number of registered births (7.1%).

On average, there are 53 births per day in December and October. Contrary to this, February had the lowest daily average number of births with 41 births per day.

Nine in ten birth deliveries were medically attended

Of the total number of births registered in the province, 96.1% were attended by health professionals (physician, midwife, or nurse). Only 3.5% of births were attended by traditional birth attendants — either hilot or unlicensed midwives, or other type of attendants.

This reflects the figures of the total number of registered births by city and municipality where majority were attended by health professionals. In Talaingod, however, a bigger percentage (55%) of births were attended by traditional birth attendants.

Table 4. Number of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Attendant          at Birth, Davao del Norte: 2022

Table 4. Number of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Attendant          at Birth, Davao del Norte: 2022 (continued)

Nine in ten births delivered in health facilities

In 2022, nine out of 10 births were delivered in a health facility (95.7%), which was either a hospital, birthing clinic, lying in, outpatient care center, specialized care center, and the like. Only 4.1% of total births were delivered at home and 0.2% were delivered in other locations.

Talaingod had the highest birth delivery at home with 64.2% of the total registered births, compared to other cities and municipalities. This figure means that 20.9% of birth deliveries at home in the entire province (4.1%) were registered in Talaingod.

Table 5. Number of Registered Live Births by Place of Occurrence and Site of Delivery, Davao del Norte: 2022

Majority of babies were born to mothers aged 25-29 years old

In 2022, majority of registered births had mothers aged 25-29 years, constituting 27.9%.

Moreover, 11.8% of babies were born to adolescent mothers – those younger than 20 years old. The median age of mothers was 27 years old, which means that half of the births in 2022 were to mothers who were at least 27 years old.

PEPITO D. AMOYEN

Chief Statistical Specialist