Data on births presented in this special release were obtained from the timely and late registered births at the Office of the City Civil Registrar of Parañaque and submitted to the Office of the Civil Registrar General through the Philippine Statistics Authority – National Capital Region Provincial Statistical Office V(PSA-NCR PSO V). The information presented includes births by usual residence of the mother that occurred from January to December 2021 based on data files received by the PSA-Central Office from the PSOs that were registered as of 31 March 2022. The figures presented herein are not adjusted for under registration. 

Registered live births in the City of Parañaque continued to decline.

In 2021, a total of 7,968 registered live births were recorded in the City of Parañaque which translates to 22 babies born daily. A generally decreasing trend has been observed in the number of live births registered. A decrease of -33.9 percent in the registered live births was posted in the past nine years, from 12,061 in 2012 to 7,968 in 2021. The highest decline rate was posted in 2021 with -17.1 percent compared to the registered live births of 9,613 in 2020. (See Figure 1)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

More male births than female births recorded.

In January to December 2021, more males at 4,225 or 53.0 percent were born than females at 3,743 or 47.0 percent which resulted in a sex ratio at birth of 113 males per 100 females. These figures posted almost the same in 2020 where males also had the highest number of registered live births at 5,053 or 52.6 percent and females at 4,560 or 47.4 percent with a sex ratio at birth of 111 males per 100 females. (See Figures 2 and 3)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Most number of births were registered in September.

The highest number of registered live births in 2021 occurred in the month of September at 823 or 10.3 percent of the total births in the city. It was followed by the month of October with 10.3 percent, and August with 9.2 percent. On the other hand, the month of February had the lowest number of births with 6.0 percent. (See Figure 4).

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Nine in ten births were medically attended.

Nine out of ten birth deliveries were attended by health professionals. It slightly decreased from 9,111 or 94.8 percent in 2020 to 7,508 or 94.2 percent in 2021, while births attended by traditional birth attendants or “hilots” increased from 497 or 5.2 percent in 2020 up to 453 or 5.7 percent in 2021. (See Figure 5)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Of the total number of births in the City of Parañaque, most of it were attended by health professionals such as physician, midwife, or nurse. The majority of births were delivered by physicians at 68.4 percent, followed by midwives at 25.5 percent and nurses at 0.3 percent. On the other hand, 0.1 percent of births were recorded as others. (See Figure 6)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Nine in ten births are delivered in health facilities.

Mother’s choice of place of delivery has implications on maternal and child mortality. Giving birth at a health facility with a skilled attendant greatly increases the chances of survival for both mother and baby. 

In 2021, nine out of ten deliveries or 93.1 percent were performed in health facilities like hospitals, birthing clinic, lying in, outpatient care center, specialized care center, and other similar places in the City of Parañaque. It slightly decreased from 9,050 or 94.1 percent in 2020. Only 6.8 percent of total births were delivered at home and 0.1 percent were delivered in other locations. (See Figure 7 and 8)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Most newborn babies weigh more than 3,000 grams.

The nutritional status of newborns is measured by their birth weight. The World Health Organization(WHO) defines low birth weight as less than 2,500 grams or 5.5 pounds at birth. 

Of the total number of newborn babies in the City of Parañaque, 6,929 or 87.0 percent were above the criteria for low birth weight. Furthermore, 3,020 or 37.9 percent of most babies weighed between 3,000 and 3,3499 grams. (See Figure 9)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

The majority of babies born to mother aged 25-29 years old.

Mothers in the age group of 25–29 recorded the highest frequency of live births, with 2,328 or 29.2 percent of the total number of registered live births in the City of Parañaque. This means that most of the registered births in 2021 were to mothers aged between 25 and 29 years old followed by age groups of 30-34 and 20-24. (See Figure 10)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Those between the ages of 17 and younger and 35 years old and over are considered to be at "high risk" of pregnancy. This is because childbearing in these age groups is more likely to have complications during pregnancy and labor that may result in higher morbidity and mortality for both mother and child.

In 2021, about 6.4 percent of the babies born were recorded for mothers younger than 20 years old, while around 17.9 percent were for mothers 35 years and older. (See Figure 11)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

More than half of newborns were born to unmarried mothers.

Mothers aged 25-29 years had the highest number of illegitimate babies in 2021, contributing 1,661 or 30.7 percent of the total illegitimate births that were registered in the City of Parañaque that year. This was followed by mothers aged 20-24 years, who contributed 1,589 or 29.3 percent and mothers aged 30-34 years with 1,023 or 18.9 percent share. (See Figure 12)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Furthermore, more than half of the total registered live births in 2021 were born out of wedlock in the City of Parañaque. A total of 5,418 or 68.0 percent of the babies born in the city were recorded as illegitimate, while on the other hand, only 2,550 or 32.0 percent were born to married parents. (See Figure 13)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

By age group of mothers, the highest proportion of illegitimate births were to adolescent mothers aged 15-19. Of the total number of babies born to this age group, 98.0 percent were illegitimate. This was followed by births to mothers aged 20-24 and adolsecent mothers under 15 years old, with 89.6 percent and 87.5 percent respectively of births being illegitimate. On the other hand, the least proportion of illegitimate babies were mothers aged 45 years old and over at 35.3 percent. (See Figure 14)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

More than 80 percent were registered on time.

The birth of a child shall be registered within thirty days from the time of birth to be considered timely registration. In the City of Parañaque, eight of every ten registered births in 2021 were on time. (See Figure 15)

Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, Civil Registration Service, Vital Statistics Division

Technical Notes

Civil Registration is the recording in the appropriate civil registers, vital acts and events that affect the civil status of individuals.

Vital Statistics are derived from information obtained at the time when the occurrences of vital events and their characteristics are inscribed in a civil register.

Vital acts and events are the births, deaths, fetal deaths, marriages, and all such events that have something to do with an individual's entrance and departure from life together with the changes in civil status that may occur to a person during his lifetime. Recording of these events in the civil register is known as vital or civil registration and the resulting documents are called vital records.

• Live Birth - is the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of a product of conception, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy, which, after such separation, breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of umbilical cord, or definite movement of the voluntary muscles. Whether or not the umbilical cord has been cut or the placenta is attached; each product of such a birth is considered live born.

• Sex Ratio - refers to the number of males per one hundred females.

• Usual Residence - refers to the place where the person habitually or permanently resides.

For more details, please visit www.psa.gov.ph

(SGD) ESTRELLA R. VARGAS

Chief Statistical Specialist

Attachments:

1. Table 1. Number and Percent Change of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother and by Sex, City of Parañaque: 2012-2021

2. Table 2. Number and Percent Distribution of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother, by Month, and by Sex, City of Parañaque: 2021

3. Table 3. Number and Percent Distribution of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother and by Attendant at Birth, and by Sex, City of Parañaque: 2021

4. Table 4. Number and Percent Distribution of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother, by Site of Delivery, and by Sex, City of Parañaque: 2021

5. Table 5. Number and Percent Distribution of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother, by Birth Weight, and by Sex, City of Parañaque: 2021

6. Table 6. Number and Percent Distribution of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother, by Age of the Mother, by Sex, and by Legitimacy Status: City of Parañaque: 2021

7. Table 7. Number of Live Births by Usual Residence of Mother, by Month, and by Registration Status: City of Parañaque: 2021