Newborns reach new low with only 2,871 births logged in 2025

The number of newborns in Macau has reached a new low, with the Health Bureau (SSM) reporting just 2,871 births last year.

The number of newborns in Macau has been on a steady decline in recent years. In 2022, the Statistics and Census Bureau (DSEC), reported an annual birth rate of 6.4‰, the lowest since record-keeping began in 1985, with just 4,344 newborns registered that year – a year-on-year decrease of 682.

The trend has continued, with 3,712 newborns in 2023, 3,607 in 2024, and the Health Bureau’s latest announcement reporting only 2,871 newborns last year.

Data indicates that Conde de São Januário Hospital delivered 1,197 newborns in 2025, reflecting a 23.17%-decrease from the 1,558 delivered in 2024.

Similarly, Kiang Wu Hospital reported 1,674 deliveries in 2025, representing an 18.3%-decline compared to the 2,050 newborns delivered in 2024.

The Health Bureau reported that it continues to promote childbirth by providing “optimal prenatal care” and comprehensive health protection for mothers and children throughout their lifecycle.

Tai Wa Hou, SSM acting deputy director, referenced the government’s introduction of measures to encourage childbirth, including the expansion of free non-invasive prenatal testing services to all pregnant women among Macau residents. According to him, this initiative is expected to benefit “approximately 3,000 pregnant women” this year.

The official stated that pregnant women of all ages residing in Macau can receive one free non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) at their designated health center, Conde de São Januário Hospital, or Kiang Wu Hospital, provided they meet the necessary gestational-week requirements after undergoing prenatal examinations and assessments by doctors.

This non-invasive chromosomal screening tool identifies fetal DNA through a maternal blood sample, allowing for accurate detection of chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau syndrome. Physicians will evaluate individual cases and recommend testing between 11 weeks and 13 weeks, six days of pregnancy.

He emphasized that, compared to traditional amniocentesis, this service offers several advantages, including high accuracy, safety, and no miscarriage risk, expressing confidence that it will help more families, particularly high-risk pregnant women, access critical prenatal health information early.

Meanwhile, in a New Year’s Day interview with local media, Tai highlighted the influenza virus positivity rate, reminding the public that January and February are peak-flu months.

He reported that Conde de São Januário Hospital recorded a weekly influenza positivity rate of approximately 21% last week, exceeding the 13% warning threshold and indicating a relatively high epidemic level.

Additionally, Tai noted that weekly emergency department visits at the two hospitals surpassed 1,100 patients.