Birth rate stays lower than death rate in May

The number of births was 2,767 lower than that of deaths in the country during January-May period, according to Statistics Finland.

During January-May, 20,264 children were born, which is 1,191 higher than in the corresponding period in 2020. The number of deaths was 23,031, which is 551 lower than one year earlier.

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, Finland's population was 5,539,718 at the end of May.

The population of the country, however, increased by 5,925 persons during January-May. The reason for the increase was migration gain from abroad, since immigration exceeded emigration by 8,499.

From January to May, 12,268 persons immigrated to Finland from abroad and 3,769 persons emigrated from Finland.

The number of immigrants was 453 higher and the number of emigrants 1,624 lower than in the corresponding period of the previous year.

In all, 2,981 of the immigrants and 2,424 of the emigrants were Finnish citizens.