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2. The most salient demographic developments during 1998 can be summarised as follows:
Population The population in the Government controlled area is estimated at 663.300 at the end of 1998 recording an increase of 0,8% over the previous year. It is estimated that 68,9% of the population resides in urban areas, while in the rural areas lives 31,1% of the total.
Fertility In 1998 the number of births in the Government controlled area of Cyprus was 8.879 compared to 9.275 in 1997, giving a crude birth rate of 13,4 per thousand population in 1998 compared to 14,2 in 1997. Similarly, the total fertility rate, which gives the mean number of children per woman and is not affected by changes in the age composition of the population, decreased to 1,92 in 1998 from 2,00 in 1997. Fertility indicators in Cyprus are higher than in European and other developed countries. The total fertility rate decreased during the last three years to a level below the replacement level of 2,10.
Mortality In 1998 the crude death rate was estimated at 8,2 deaths per thousand population and the infant mortality at 7,0 infant deaths per thousand live births. Life tables for the period 1996-1997 put the expectation of life at birth at 75,0 years for males and 80,0 for females. The main causes of death as reported in 1998 were diseases of the circulatory system, neoplasms, diseases of the respiratory system and the group of accidents, injuries and poisoning, the same as in the last few years. The expectation of life at birth in Cyprus compares favourably with that of more developed countries though infant mortality is somewhat higher.
Marriages In 1998 the number of marriages increased to 7.738 and the crude marriage rate was calculated at 11,7 per thousand population. Ecclesiastical marriages decreased from 4.145 in 1997 to 3.647 in 1998, while civil marriages increased from 3.042 to 4.091. Only 134 cases of civil marriages concerned Cypriot couples.
Divorces In 1998 the number of divorces was 852 and the crude divorce rate was estimated at 1,3 per 1.000 population at the same levels as in 1997. The total divorce rate which shows the proportion of marriages that are expected to end up in divorce was in 1998 160 per 1.000 marriages, while in 1980 it was only 42. This means that presently about 16% of marriages end in divorce. This rate continues to be extremely low compared to other European countries where one marriage in two ends up in divorce.
Migration Though there are no accurate figures, since 1989 there are indications of a migration flow to Cyprus of Cypriot returning emigrants as well as foreign workers coming to Cyprus for temporary employment. It is estimated that the net migration balance for 1998 was 2.000 persons. 3. The Report is available from the Government Printing Office in Nicosia at the price of £6,00. |
