BRUSSELS – For the fourth year in a row there has been an increase in the birth rate in Flanders.

Figures from the Child & Family foundation show that 66,747 children were born in 2006, an increase of 2.4 percent from 2005. This emerged on Wednesday at the presentation of the annual report.

The birth rate was falling until 2003, but has been rising ever since. The rise in the birth rate was visible in all Flemish provinces, particularly in Oost-Vlaanderen (up 3.4 percent) and Antwerp (up 3.1 percent). The increase was smallest in West-Vlaanderen (up 1.7 percent).

[Copyright Expatica News 2007]

Subject: Belgian news