Most babies born in the middle of the week

On average 554 babies were born every day in the Netherlands in 2002. The numbers of births varied strongly between the days of the week: fewer children were born in weekends than during the week, and more were born in the summer than in the spring.

Average, highest and lowest number of births per day, 2002

Average 550 births a day

Some 202 thousand babies were born in the Netherlands in 2002, an average 554 babies a day. The daily number of births varied strongly however. The highest number of babies born, 693,was on Tuesday 24 September 2002, while the lowest was on Sunday 13 January when 396 babies were born.

Average number of live births per day of the week, 2002

Few Sunday children

Most children were born in the middle of the week, mainly on Tuesdays: an average 601 babies every Tuesday in 2002. Relatively many children were also born on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

The number of babies born was lowest in the weekends. An average 470 children were born on Saturdays and 452 on Sundays. The lower staff levels of hospital maternity wards in hospitals and maternity centres had an effect on the timing of births.

Fewer births on holidays

Fewer babies were born on official holidays, too. On Ascension day in 2002 (9 May) 457 babies were born, compared with 591 on an average Thursday; 411 babies were born on New Year’s day, while 601 were born on an normal Tuesday. And on Christmas Day and Boxing Day fewer children were born than on an average Wednesday and Thursday. Fewer maternity staff in hospitals and maternity centres had an effect here too.

Average daily number of live births by month , 2002

Many births in September

September had the highest number of births, with a daily average of 586. Relatively many children were born in July, August and October, too. The spring months had the lowest number of births.

Ron Tas

Source: StatLine