Not more than 30,000 babies born to mothers residing in the City of Manila

The number of registered live births born to mothers residing in the City of Manila reached to 27,375 in 2020. On the average, 75 babies were born daily or three (3) babies every hour.

Over the last 15 years, the number of registered live births from 2006 to 2020 decreased by 32.8 percent. Year 2007 recorded the highest number of registered live births with 45,530 while year 2020 registered the lowest count with 27,375.

Year 2020 marks the start of COVID-19 pandemic. This phenomenon may have affected the number of live births in the City of Manila. Consequently, more babies were born before the pandemic.

Furthermore, 14,344 babies (52.4%) were male while 13,031 (47.6%) were female—resulting to a sex ratio of 110 males for every 100 females.

Most of the babies are born to mothers residing in Tondo

The City of Manila consists of 14 administrative districts, namely: (a) Tondo;
(b) Binondo; (c) Quiapo; (d) San Nicolas; (e) Santa Cruz; (f) Sampaloc; (g) San Miguel; (h) Ermita; (i) Intramuros; (j) Malate; (k) Paco; (l) Pandacan; (m) Port Area; and (n) Santa Ana.

Tondo registered the highest number of live births. Out of 27,375 live births, 10,552 (38.5%) were born to mothers residing in Tondo. This was followed by Sampaloc with 4,793 (17.5%). Meanwhile, San Nicolas recorded the lowest count with 22 (0.1%).

Highest occurrence of births recorded in October

On the average, 2,281 live births occurred every month. October recorded the highest birth occurrence with 2,680 (9.8%), followed by September and November with 2,616 (9.6%) and 2,499 (9.1%), respectively.

On the contrary, March recorded the lowest count with 1,913 (7.0%).

Four (4) out of ten births delivered at home are medically attended

Out of 27,375 live births, 26,682 (97.5%) occurred in hospitals while 660 (2.4%) were at home. Rest were delivered in other places like vehicle, vessel, or airplane.

Although 660 live births were delivered at home, 272 (41.2%) were (medically) attended by health professionals which may either be physician, nurse, or midwife.

However, 283 (42.9%) of live births delivered at home were attended by traditional birth attendant or hilot.

In the Philippines, some local government units released ordinances prohibiting traditional birth attendants, or hilot, to deliver babies and babies shall be delivered by professional health practitioners in health facilities only.

Overall, 26,962 (98.5%) live births were medically and not more than 300 were delivered by traditional birth attendant, or hilot. Meanwhile, 129 were delivered by others.

Over 3,000 babies are of low birthweight

Low birthweight is a condition where the weight of an infant at birth is less than 2.5 kilograms or 2,500 grams. It is associated with fetal and neonatal mortality and morbidity, inhibited growth and cognitive development, and non-communicable diseases (World Health Organization, n.d.)

In the City of Manila, it was recorded that 3,308 (12.1%) of babies are of low birthweight. On the other hand, 24,032 (87.8%) babies weighed about 2,500 grams or more.

Average age of a woman giving birth is 27 years old

In 2020, the age of the mothers ranged from 12 years old as the youngest to 48 years old as the oldest. On the average, a woman can give birth at the age of 27.

Across all age groups, mothers age 25 to 29 years old delivered the highest number of births with 7,654 (28.0%) followed by mothers age 20 to 24 years old with 7,036 (25.7%).

Meanwhile, two (2) in every 1,000 live births were born to teenage mothers age 19 years old and below.

Seven (7) out of 10 babies are born out of wedlock

Seven thousand nine hundred forty-three (7,943) or 29.0 percent of live births born to mothers residing in the City of Manila were legitimate. Under Article 225 of the Civil Code of the Philippines, children conceived or born during the marriage of parents are legitimate.

On the other hand, 19,432 (71.0%) babies were born out of wedlock.

Majority of births are timely registered

Around 25,000 (94.1%) of live births were timely registered. According to Commonwealth Act No. 3753, Certification of Live Births shall be registered not later than 30 days after the birth. Beyond the reglementary period shall be considered late.

In 2020, not more than 2,000 live births (5.9%) were registered late.

(SGD.) Danilo R. Cubinar
Chief Statistical Specialist