birthrate
BURTH-rayt
/ˈbɜːrθˌreɪt/
The number of live births per thousand of population per year.
A macro statistical measure usually expressed as crude birthrate across an entire population.
The story behind the word. A compound word combining 'birth' (from Proto-Germanic *burthiz, 'that which is borne') and 'rate' (from Latin 'rata', fixed amount). It arose in administrative statistics during the 19th century.
Word relationships
- natality: Natality is a more formal, academic term for birthrate used in vital statistics.
- death rate: Death rate measures mortality per thousand population.
- mortality rate: Mortality rate is the statistical ratio of deaths in a given population.
Commonly confused with
- fertility rate: Birthrate counts births relative to total population; fertility rate counts births per woman in childbearing years.
Word family
- birth (noun): The emergence of offspring from the body of its mother.
Collocations
- crude birthrate
- falling birthrate
- declining birthrate
- national birthrate
Example sentences
- "The national birthrate dropped steadily throughout the decade as urbanization accelerated." Socioeconomic analysis
Memory hook
Birth + Rate = How fast births are rated per thousand people. Birthrate = numerical count of newborn babies per thousand citizens.
When not to use
Do not confuse with fertility rate, which measures births per woman of childbearing age.
Fun facts
- Monaco currently holds one of the lowest crude birthrates in the world, while South Sudan has among the highest.
Related words
Explore more words
fertility, mortality, incidence, workforce, demographic, depopulation
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