natality
nay-TAL-uh-tee
/neɪˈtæləti/
The ratio of total live births to total population in a given area over a specified time; birth rate in formal demography.
Used primarily in legal, ecological, and demographic contexts alongside mortality.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'natalis', which springs from 'nasci' (to be born). It sits in the same word family as 'nature', 'native', and 'Christmas' (Noel).
Word relationships
- birthrate: Birthrate is everyday English, whereas natality is administrative and academic terminology.
- mortality: Mortality refers to the rate or condition of death within a population.
Commonly confused with
- natal: Natal is an adjective meaning relating to birth, while natality is the noun for birth rate.
Word family
- natal (adjective): Relating to the place or time of one's birth.
- postnatal (adjective): Occurring after birth.
- prenatal (adjective): Occurring before birth.
Collocations
- natality statistics
- natality index
- natality and mortality
Example sentences
- "The government launched public health initiatives designed to stem the rapid decline in natality." Public policy document
Memory hook
Natality comes from 'natal'—like a natal day or birthday. Natality = official academic word for birth rate.
When not to use
Avoid in casual daily speech where 'birth rate' is standard.
Fun facts
- Ecologists contrast natality with mortality to calculate the growth rate of animal populations in ecosystems.
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