Bacolod city: The total fertility rate (TFR) in Western Visayas at 2.2 in 2024 remains stable amid the recorded 11.7 percent decline in births for the year. In a press conference on Tuesday, Commission and Population Development (CPD) Western Visayas Regional Director Harold Alfred Marshall said that births are indeed slowing down, but the TFR is a bit higher than the replacement level of 2.1, the worldwide accepted threshold for a locality to maintain a healthy population.

According to Philippines News Agency, Marshall expressed his hope that the TFR would not drop to 2.1, as a lower TFR could have negative implications, such as challenges in maintaining the labor workforce and a limited market, potentially affecting prices and inflation.

"We do not set a target for birth rate. We are only saying the healthy worldwide fertility rate, just to give a healthy population is 2.1," Marshall stated. However, he noted that others argue the TFR should be around 2, considering the economic conditions and rising inflation rate.

Data revealed that registered births in the region decreased to 77,000 in 2024 from 87,204 in 2023. Besides the decline in births, CPD also reported a reduction in deaths by 13 percent last year, from 58,659 deaths in 2023 to 51,036 last year.

The CPD highlighted that the decline in deaths indicates an "improving mortality situation in the region," which reflects enhancements in healthcare, stronger disease prevention, and greater health awareness.

However, among the three vital statistics, marriage registrations in the region experienced the most significant decline at 24.7 percent, with numbers falling from 32,230 in the previous year to 24,273 in 2024. The steepest declines in marriage registrations were observed in Bacolod City, with a 39.7 percent decrease, and Iloilo City, with a 32.1 percent drop.

"This decline reflects shifting priorities among Filipinos, with many delaying or forgoing marriage in favor of education, career advancement, and financial stability," the CPD stated. The agency emphasized the need for balanced policies that support families, promote healthy aging, and sustain economic productivity.