Stats comparable to last year’s

Recent statistics reveal that the total population of the Cook Islands is decreasing, though numbers of births, deaths and marriages are comparable to those from the previous year.

The Office of Statistics estimates that the total population for the September quarter of 2009 was around 23,600, reflecting a 4.9% increase from the previous quarter. However, the increase can be attributed to the influx of visitors during the World Youth Netball Championships and the Pacific Mini Games in August and September.

Barring visitors, the real statistic is closer to 13,000. In the September quarter of last year, the Office of Statistics pegged the population to be somewhere around 13,900.

MFEM registered 62 births for the September 2009 quarter, which parallels the number of births in the same quarter of 2008.

There were 18 deaths during the September quarter – an average of six deaths per month – and none were infants. The mortality rate is slightly lower than it was in the same quarter last year.

The Office of Statistics recorded 191 officiated marriages for the September quarter. Over 90% of those marriages were between non-residents. The statistics bulletin calls Rarotonga a “very popular” wedding destination on account of its “low cost”.