Sixteen births per thousand population

In 2022, a total of 96,962 live births was registered in Bicol Region which is equivalent to a crude birth rate1 (CBR) of 15.5 or 16 births per thousand population.

The number of registered live births increased to 10.9% or 9,498 in 2022 from 87,464 registered births in 2021.  

Figure 1 shows the number of registered live births by usual residence of the mother in Bicol Region in 2022. Among provinces, Camarines Sur had the most number of registered births with about 33.9% or 32,899 registered births. It was followed by Albay with 20,863 or 21.5% registered births, then the province of Masbate with 14,480 or 14.9% registered births. The province of Sorsogon ranked fourth with 13,248 or 13.7% registered births and the province of Camarines Norte with 11,225 or 11.6% registered births, ranked fifth in the region. Catanduanes had the least number of registered births with 4,247 or about 4.4%. Bicol Region shared about 6.7% to the total registered live births in the country (1,455,393) in 2022. 

More males born than females 

In 2022, more males (50,605 or 52.2%) were born than females (46,357or 47.8%) which resulted in a sex ratio of 109 males per 100 females.

On the average, there were about 266 babies born daily or about 11 babies born per hour in Bicol Region.

Highest occurrence of births in Bicol Region

Of the total live births, Camarines Sur recorded the highest number of births by place of occurrence with about 34.3% or 33,209. Second in rank was Albay with 21.8% or 21,113 and third was Masbate with 14.6% or 14,183 births. (Figure 3)

The difference between the place of birth by occurrence and place of birth by usual residence of the mother reported positive differentials on 3 provinces, namely, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Catanduanes. These positive differentials may be indicative of expectant mothers giving birth outside of their usual place of residence due to better health care facilities and social services in the receiving city/municipality. (Figure 3) 

Nine in ten birth deliveries were medically attended

Of the total number of births in Bicol Region, 93.9% birth deliveries were attended by health professionals which may either be a physician, a midwife or a nurse. There were about 5.8% facilitated in by traditional birth attendants (hilot/unlicensed midwife). Among the six provinces, 
Sorsogon had the highest proportion of medically attended births with 98.3% and the most number of birth deliveries by traditional attendants was registered in Camarines Sur with 3,137 (9.5%). (Table 1) 

Most babies born to mothers between ages 25-29 years old

In Bicol Region, most live births registered were born to mothers between ages 25-29 years old (26,768 or 27.6%). Noticeably, births after these age groups tends to slow down as the age group progressed. It was also observed there are 143 births registered to mothers under 15 years old and 9 births to mothers 50 years old and over.  

Six in ten babies born to unwed mothers

About six in ten of the total registered live births in 2022 (57,941 or 59.8%) were born out of wedlock in Bicol Region.

Most registered births of children born out of wedlock in Bicol Region were attributed to mothers between ages 20-24 years old (19,249 or 19.9%). On the other hand, the most registered live births of children conceived or born during a valid marriage was noticed to age group 25-29 (11,718 or 15.5%). Legitimate birth registration started to top the trend from age group 30-34 and continued to lead as the age groups progressed. 

Most births occur in September and October 

In 2022, most births in Bicol Region occurred in September with 10,180 (10.5%). It was followed 
by the months of October with 9,760 (10.1%), November with 9,157 (9.4%), and December with 
8,859 (9.1%) registered births, respectively. Male births topped the registration for every month in 
2022.