STA, 25 July 2021 - The Covid-19 epidemic has left an indelible mark on Slovenia's demographics. A negative natural change recorded in Slovenia last year was the highest since 1945 due to high mortality as the number of deaths exceeded the number of births by almost 5,250, show data by the Statistics Office.
The 2020 natural population decrease is mostly a result of above-average high mortality in November and December during the second Covid-19 wave, the Statistics Office said on Friday.
More than 24,000 residents died last year, an increase of nearly 3,800 on the average figure recorded in 2015-2019. Excess mortality was the highest in the last quarter of 2020 when the relevant average was up by two thirds compared to the same period in 2015-2019.
A positive natural change was recorded only in the third quarter of 2020 when some 5,140 babies were born. In total about 18,770 babies were born last year, down by 3% on 2019.
On average, 51 babies were born per day in 2020, 66 residents died, 28 got married and ten got a divorce, 99 moved into Slovenia and 48 moved out.
Domestic migration increased by some 40% in 2020, mainly due to Covid restrictions and ensuing registrations of temporary residence.
Also due to Covid restrictions, the number of weddings decreased by almost 25% on 2019 to some 5,200 and the total of divorces dropped by 28% to some 1,770, the Statistics Office said.
Slovenia recorded what is the highest positive net migration since 2008 last year as the number of those who moved in exceeded the total of those who moved out by almost 18,400.
