Until 2018, the level of births in the country remained between 290,000 and 296,000, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC). But since 2019, a decrease to 286,684 live births is reflected, then in 2020, the year of the pandemic, there were 266,919, until reaching 2021 with 251,106 records of live births.
The data show reduction margins between 7,000 and up to 19,000 infants in the birth rate.
According to specialists, family planning or biological problems would be the main reasons for the decline.
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Rocío Játiva, coordinator of the Psychology degree at the SEK International University (UISEK), mentions that there are social, educational, economic and even biological factors.
Regarding education, the psychologist points out that there is an interest in seeking information -even on the internet- about how to have a sexual life without getting pregnant. “Even social networks are means that help in education and socialization. Now there is more access to family planning and this goes hand in hand with contraceptive methods”, says Játiva.
On this point agrees master doctor and gynecologist Shirley Flores, who has registered an increase in patients seeking family planning. “Women come who want to take care of themselves, some who have already had three children and don’t want more. Many adolescents come to get the implant in their arm, which lasts from three to five years. Even men are already coming to have a vasectomy,” says Flores.
To this list, Játiva wants to add the social-cultural factor. “Sensitizing the gender approach has helped to reduce the birth rate, now people make their own decision because there is more awareness of the responsibility of being mothers and fathers,” says Játiva, who adds that it Biological is also part of the reduction in births, because there are women who cannot have children due to the risks of pregnancy and other medical reasons.
And Flores also emphasizes that the lack of income can reduce the possibility of having children, which also goes hand in hand with awareness.
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For example, Erika is 34 years old and wants to have at least one child. But as long as she doesn’t finish her career plans and save money, she doesn’t plan to do it. “If age passes, I can’t do anything anymore, but I don’t want to have a baby without giving it stability,” she explains.
“You see that now people want to have their professional titles and then to be parents”, comments Flores.
While, INEC figures also reflect a decrease at the provincial level where the reasons would be different. In Pichincha there were 49,644 live births in 2013; Similar figure in 2015, but since 2016 it has been falling to 47,000, then to 40,000, until reaching 2021 with 34,577 births.
In Guayas, they remain in the averages of 60,000 to 75,000. The previous year it was 61,157 births.
Goretty is a social communicator and has always taken advantage of all the job opportunities related to her career. She traveled a lot from Quito to Guayaquil, and vice versa. She then decided to have two children, whom she saw born in Guayaquil.
For the same reason Jonathan, 39, also left Quito. He lived in the northern sector of the city and moved, first to the province of Santa Elena and later to Guayaquil for his work, which required his presence in the city of Buenos Aires. It is there that Jonathan raised his family. He got married and his children were born in Guayaquil and they have no plans to return to Quito.
Both Goretty and Jonathan left Quito for work reasonsone of the reasons, which according to specialists, would have generated a reduction in the birth rate in the province of Pichincha and, consequently, a slight increase in Guayas.
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“This can happen, but it is not the main reason. Let us remember that there is greater interest in contraceptive uses”, points out the gynecologist Flores.
Within the birth rate, the province of Azuay also shows a noticeable drop. For example, in 2013 there were 14,587 births; in 2016, 13,825; in 2019 there were 12,826; for 2020 with 11,613 and the previous year it reached 10,073.
For Játiva, the province of Azuay is a specific analysis and it is about migration. “Each province responds to a specific situation, in Azuay migration can be considered. We see that there is not only a decrease in the birth rate, but also in the population in general because the problem of migration is very high”, indicates Játiva.
The UISEK psychologist considers that the reduction trend will continue. “Because there is awareness in the population of the responsibility that being parents implies, especially the economic situation that we are experiencing in the country and that influences decision-making. Now you see many women who have chosen within their life project not to have children. They make up couples, they live together, but they don’t contemplate being parents,” he says.
Among the 251,106 births in 2021, there are 221,147 that were assisted by medical personnel; 21,818 by obstetricians; and 585 by unauthorized midwives or midwives. Among the births there were 122,958 women and 128,148 men. In addition, there were 21,552 low birth weight births.
The figures show that 39,486 women between the ages of 15 and 19 became mothers; and 1,843 between 10 and 14 years of age. “A woman after the age of 19 already has a developed pelvis and maintains it until she is 35 years old. After and before 19 there are risks. That’s why planning is key.” (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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