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Half of regions report natural population increase

In August 2011, 173,200 children were born, up 8.5 percent from August 2010

MOSCOW, September 27 (Itar-Tass) — Minister of Public Health and Social Development Tatyana Golikova said a natural population increase had been reported in more than half of Russia's regions.

Golikova, who spoke at a meeting of the Russian government presidium on Tuesday, said 44 regions posted a natural population increase in January through to August.

In August 2011, 173,200 children were born, up 8.5 percent from August 2010, the highest monthly indicator since 1991, Golikova said.

As for the mortality rate, it was 15.4 percent lower last August compared with August 2010, the minister said. She reminded that the last summer month was anomalous by climate conditions as certain federal districts posted higher mortality rates.

It is a second time Russian regions report a natural population increase in August. It was recorded for the first time in 2009. At that time, the increase only amounted to 1,000 people, but now this indicator reached a record high of 10,700 she said.

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