2,538 children born and 813 people died in Maldives in the first six months

2,538 babies were born in the first six months of this year, while 813 people died during the period, according to the Health Ministry and the Bureau of Statistics.

The Ministry of Health on Thursday released the quarterly vital statistics on births and deaths in Maldives. These include the first two quarters of this year.

According to the statistics, 1,229 girls and 1,309 boys were born in the first six months of this year. There were 1,225 births in the first quarter and 1,313 in the second quarter.

According to the report, the highest number of children born in the six months was in January. June saw the second-highest number of births, with 470 births that month. The lowest number of children were born in February, with 357 births recorded.

The statistics also show the number of children born in Male' and the atolls. 1,784 children were born in the city, while 754 children were born in the atolls.

The highest number of children were born in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, with 159 births. The statistics also show that no one gave birth in Vaavu Atoll.

It is noteworthy that Vaavu is the least populated atoll in Maldives. No women gave birth in the atoll last year either.

The report shows that 813 people died in the first six months of this year. They include 30 children under the age of five.

The highest number of deaths were among people over the age of 65, with 488 deaths. 263 people aged 18 to 64 died during the period.

Notably, 89 foreigners were among the dead.