Geostat: Georgian Population Decreased

The National Statistics Office of Georgia (Geostat) says tha the population of Georgia has decreased to 3.7 million people.

The statistics reflect data of the first half of 2017, adding that the census was conducted in 2014.

The data shows that the number of deaths (25,954) has exceeded the number of births (25,543) in the country.

The highest rate of deaths was observed in the capital Tbilisi (7,117), followed by Imereti region (4,700) and Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti (2,569).

As for births, the highest rate was observed in Tbilisi (9,435), Imereti (3,352) and Adjara (2,714).

The summary of vital statistics also shows that the number of divorces has significantly increased in the given period, amounting to nearly half (5,031) of the registered marriages (10,680).

Tengiz Tsekvava, Deputy Executive Director of the National Statistics Office of Georgia, says the main reason of the population decrease is the great migration process observed in Georgia in the first half of 1990 and 2000, due to which, the birth rate will further reduce in the coming years. 

He also stressed that the new statistics are alarming compared to 2002, when 4.3 million people were registered in the country.

“Compared to the Soviet description of 1989, when 5.5 million people were registered in Georgia, today’s results are much lower. The reason is, of course, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the issues in our two regions, Abkhazia and South Ossetia,” he added.

The national census is usually conducted once every ten years.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: Sputnik Georgia