Demographic echoes of the maternity data in the Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia

Abstract Background The demographic situation in the Split-Dalmatia County (SDC) is characterized by negative trends in the new millennium. Such a demographic picture entails many societal challenges. Considering the far-reaching consequences of population decline, the goal is to show what maternity data have been like in the SDC in the last decade. Methods Individual birth reports from health institutions in the SDC were used in the presentation of the maternity data. Demographic indicators were calculated based on data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. Results In 2018, in the SDC were reported 4,438 deliveries (13% less vs 2009; 5,103 deliveries) with a total of 4,577 children delivered, whereof 4,561 were live births and 16 were stillbirths. From a total of 4,516 live births, 13 live-born neonates died during the first week of their life. Most of women in labor (89%) were residents of the SDC. The average age of the new mothers was 28.9 years (in 2009; 26.9 years). Childbirth was most frequently recorded in the maternal age group 30 -34 (1,556 deliveries, i.e. 110,9/1,000 women of said age group; 92/1,000 in 2009). Among childbearing women with known data on earlier deliveries (4,431), 2,029 or 45.8% had their first deliveries, 1,549 or 35% had their second deliveries, 808 or 18% had their third or higher birth order deliveries. According to an estimate in 2018, 448,071 people lived in the SDC, less 1.5% from the last census (2011). The live birth rate was 9.5 /1,000 in 2018 (2009; 10.9/1,000). The total fertility rate was 1.53 in 2018 (2009; 1.6). The natural increase rate in 2018 was negative at -1.8 (-830 persons) (2009; 0.5 (250 persons)). Conclusions Depopulation, low birth rates and fertility, are the demographic reality of Split-Dalmatia County as well as Croatia, which requires adoption and implementation of various public policy measures that positively affect fertility to improve the demographic picture. Key messages Depopulation, low birth rates and fertility, are the demographic reality of Split-Dalmatia County as well as Croatia. Adoption and implementation of various public policy measures that positively affect fertility to improve the demographic picture are needed.