The number of babies born here fell to a 10-year low last year, while total deaths were the highest in almost a century.
The recession and massive uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic may be leading some couples to put off expanding their families, experts say, even though most newborns last year were conceived before the pandemic.
The double whammy of falling births and steadily rising deaths due to an ageing population has serious implications for society, from slower economic growth to fewer people supporting seniors.
Last year, 38,705 babies were born, a 1.5% dip from the 39,279 born in 2019. It is the lowest figure since 2010, when there were 37,967 births.