The number of births registered in Malta has risen considerably since 2008, data presented in Parliament on Tuesday shows. In contrast, there has been a drop in births in Gozo.
Whereas just 4466 births were registered in Malta in 2008, the number last year was 7712.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat gave the data about registrations in Malta (see right) in reply to a question by Labour MP Byron Camilleri. No explanation was given.
With regard to Gozo, Dr Muscat said there were 257 registrations in Gozo last year, compared to 317 in 2008.
There were 304 births registered in Gozo in 2016.
Asked about registration of deaths, Dr Muscat gave data showing that 3243 deaths were registered in Malta last year, compared to 3073 in 2008.
In Gozo, there were 295 deaths last year and 246 in 2008.