Taipei: The number of births in Taiwan hit a new record low in April, contributing to a 16th consecutive month of population decline, as indicated by data from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) released on Friday. The MOI reported 8,684 newborns in April, representing a decline of 704 births from March and marking the lowest monthly birth figure recorded.

According to Focus Taiwan, this birth rate corresponds to roughly one baby born every five minutes and reflects an annual crude birth rate of 4.52 per 1,000 people. In contrast, the number of deaths in April reached 17,205, leading to a natural population decrease of 8,521 for the month. The data also showed a net migration loss of 947 people, resulting in a total population decline of 9,468.

Taiwan's population was recorded at 23,365,274 by the end of April, a drop of 49,826 compared to the previous year, averaging a daily decrease of 136 individuals. Regionally, Taoyuan experienced the highest annual population growth rate at 1.02 percent, followed by Hsinchu County at 0.98 percent and Taichung at 0.55 percent. Conversely, the most significant declines were in Lienchiang (-2.05 percent), Kinmen (-1.96 percent), and Taipei (-1.74 percent).

In terms of marriages, April saw 6,520 couples marry, including 167 same-sex unions, while 4,334 couples divorced, 81 of whom were same-sex.

According to the MOI, the statistics are derived from Taiwan's household registration system and include only nationals of the Republic of China (Taiwan's official name) with household registration. The figures do not account for individuals without household registration or foreign residents in Taiwan.