Jersey birth rates at lowest since 1945

In Jersey, 716 babies were born in 2024

Birth rates in Jersey in 2024 were at their lowest since 1945, having fallen by 10% from the previous year, according to the island's superintendent registrar.

The number of babies born in 2024 was 716 and, in line with a six-year trend, more boys were born than girls.

The most popular baby name for boys was Theodore, while Isla was the most popular name for girls.

The annual statement for 2024 also reported the number of deaths in Jersey was at its highest since 1995, at 877 and that 381 couples were married - an increase of 2% from 2023.

The majority of registered deaths (46%) occurred within care facilities and the proportion of deaths that resulted in cremations in Jersey increased to 81%.

While civil weddings were up by 10%, the number of religious weddings fell by 30%.

The annual statement found that civil weddings made up 83% of marriages in 2024.

Superintendent registrar Claire Follain said: "These statistics provide an invaluable insight into islanders' lives and lifestyle choices and indicate continuing trends in the falling birth rate as well as deaths outnumbering births for the third consecutive year.

"It is encouraging to see a slight increase in marriages taking place in Jersey in 2024, halting the steady decline seen in recent years."