Baby boom in Azerbaijan

By AzerNews

Generally the demographic situation is always an accurate reflection of what is happening in the country. Any crisis causes a chain reaction, which affects different spheres of the internal life of the state. Consequently, demographic stability in the country is linked to internal stability and prosperity.

In developed countries, such as Japan and the United States, the rate of population growth is very low because families are not so big, and there is high life expectancy due to the high level of health care. But in developing countries the population grows much more rapidly and more than 90 percent of the population growth around the world accounts for these countries. At the same time, such factors as mortality, fertility and migration should be taken into consideration.

Since 2005, the population of Azerbaijan has been growing annually by an average of 1.2 percent. Recently, the work done by the government to improve health and reduce poverty is beginning to yield fruit. According to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Health, the budget allocated for healthcare in the country has increased more than 11-fold compared to 2003 and now amounts to about 660 million manats. Budgetary allocations and investment have allowed providing the country with advanced technology, medical equipment, as well as new medical centers.

In 2013, the fertility rate in Azerbaijan rose from 13.9 to 17.4 per mil and the death rate decreased from 6 to 5.3 per thousand people. The rate of natural population growth rate increased from 7.9 to 12.1 per mil, which is the highest indicator among the countries of Europe.

Demographic growth in Azerbaijan could also be proven by the number of children, who will go to school this year for the first time. 141,166 children (74,998 boys and 66,168 girls) will go to the first grade in 2013. In 2012, this figure was 135,541 (73,182 boys and 62,359 girls).

Demographics figures are even more impressive if considered over the long term. In 2000, the population of Azerbaijan was 8.1 million, while by early 2011 it reached 9 million.

Azerbaijani experts regard this process as the "baby boom" and attribute this to the fact that 22-25 years ago a positive balance of fertility was observed in the country. This generation has grown up, the young people have families and children are born. Another reason is the migration factor: people who once left the country due to political or economic instability tend to come back.

The statistical data shows the baby boom in Azerbaijan. In the first half of 2013, about 83,000 children were born (53.6 percent of them were boys and 46.4 percent girls). Most families make decisions to have a second or even a third child, hoping not for financial assistance from the state, but relying on their own ability to make a living.

Thus, compared to the past decade Azerbaijan indeed posted good results in the first half of 2013. Improvement of the demographic situation shows greater confidence of the Azerbaijanis in the future.