According to a demographic report released by CYSTAT on Monday, population in the free areas increased by 1% in 2008.

According to the announcement, the population in the Government controlled area is estimated at 796,9 thousands at the end of 2008 compared to 789,3 thousands in the previous year, recording an increase of 1,0%.

The population increase in 2008 is mainly explained by an increased natural increase (4.011 persons) and to a lesser extent by the net migration balance (3.595 persons).

In 2008 the number of births totalled 9.205 compared to 8.575 in 2007.

“The total fertility rate, which gives the mean number of children per woman was estimated at 1,46 in 2008 and has, since 1995, remained below the replacement level of 2,10”, the report said.

The number of deaths reached 5.194 in 2008 compared to 5.380 in 2007.

The expectation of life at birth is estimated at 78,3 years for males and 81,9 for females for the period 2006/07.

In 2008 the number of marriages decreased to 13.395 from 13.422 in 2007. Ecclesiastical marriages decreased from 4.444 in 2007, to 3.293 in 2008, and civil marriages increased from 8.978 in 2007 to 10.102 in 2008.

In 2008 the number of divorces reached 1.639 from 1.648 in 2007.