GITNUXREPORT 2026

Vital Records Statistics

Global birth and death statistics show widespread declines and vital records modernizing worldwide.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

In 2021, the United States recorded 3,659,289 live births, marking a 1% decline from 2020.

Statistic 2

The fertility rate in the US dropped to 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 2021.

Statistic 3

Globally, there were an estimated 134 million live births in 2021 according to UN data.

Statistic 4

In England and Wales, 2021 saw 694,685 live births, the lowest since 1977.

Statistic 5

India's birth rate was 17.70 per 1,000 population in 2020 per World Bank.

Statistic 6

The US twin birth rate reached 31.5 per 1,000 births in 2021.

Statistic 7

China's total births fell to 10.62 million in 2021, down 11.5% from 2020.

Statistic 8

In 2020, Brazil registered 2,916,548 births nationwide.

Statistic 9

Japan's fertility rate was 1.30 children per woman in 2021.

Statistic 10

Australia recorded 294,027 births in 2021, a 1.8% decrease.

Statistic 11

France's total fertility rate stood at 1.83 in 2021.

Statistic 12

In 2022, Mexico had 1,655,872 registered births.

Statistic 13

Germany's birth rate was 9.6 per 1,000 in 2021.

Statistic 14

South Africa's births totaled 1,056,752 in 2021.

Statistic 15

Italy registered 399,728 births in 2021, lowest on record.

Statistic 16

Nigeria's estimated births were 5.28 million in 2021.

Statistic 17

Canada's 2021 births numbered 352,901.

Statistic 18

Russia's births dropped to 1,398,462 in 2021.

Statistic 19

Indonesia recorded 4.8 million births in 2021 est.

Statistic 20

Sweden's fertility rate was 1.67 in 2021.

Statistic 21

Pakistan's birth rate was 27.46 per 1,000 in 2020.

Statistic 22

In 2021, the US preterm birth rate was 10.33%.

Statistic 23

Bangladesh registered 2.9 million births in 2021 est.

Statistic 24

Spain's births were 351,526 in 2021.

Statistic 25

Philippines had 1.48 million births in 2021.

Statistic 26

In 2020, the global neonatal mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 live births.

Statistic 27

Turkey's fertility rate was 1.88 in 2021.

Statistic 28

Egypt recorded 2.5 million births in 2021 est.

Statistic 29

Iran's births fell to 1.2 million in 2021.

Statistic 30

Vietnam's birth rate was 15.84 per 1,000 in 2021.

Statistic 31

In 2021, US infant mortality rate was 5.36 per 1,000 live births.

Statistic 32

Global deaths reached 69 million in 2021 per UN estimates.

Statistic 33

US total deaths in 2021: 3,464,231.

Statistic 34

England's 2021 deaths: 586,913.

Statistic 35

China's 2021 deaths estimated at 10.14 million.

Statistic 36

Japan's 2021 deaths: 1,439,809.

Statistic 37

India's crude death rate: 7.30 per 1,000 in 2020.

Statistic 38

Brazil's 2021 deaths: 1,350,000 approx.

Statistic 39

Australia's 2021 deaths: 169,301.

Statistic 40

France recorded 613,000 deaths in 2021.

Statistic 41

Germany's 2021 deaths: 1,016,899.

Statistic 42

Mexico's 2021 deaths: 793,866.

Statistic 43

Italy's 2021 deaths: 706,969.

Statistic 44

Canada's 2021 deaths: 307,205.

Statistic 45

Russia's 2021 deaths: 2,036,000 approx.

Statistic 46

South Africa's 2021 deaths: 616,000 est.

Statistic 47

Indonesia's 2021 deaths: 1.1 million est.

Statistic 48

Spain's 2021 deaths: 419,441.

Statistic 49

Nigeria's estimated deaths: 1.28 million in 2021.

Statistic 50

Sweden's 2021 deaths: 98,169.

Statistic 51

Philippines' 2021 deaths: 142,000.

Statistic 52

Global COVID-19 deaths: 5.42 million reported by May 2022.

Statistic 53

US heart disease deaths: 695,000 in 2021.

Statistic 54

UK's cancer deaths: 167,000 in 2021.

Statistic 55

In 2021, Alzheimer's caused 119,000 US deaths.

Statistic 56

Pakistan's death rate: 6.88 per 1,000 in 2020.

Statistic 57

Vietnam's 2021 deaths: 621,800 est.

Statistic 58

US divorces: 689,308 in 2021.

Statistic 59

England's 2021 divorces: 113,505.

Statistic 60

Australia's 2021 divorces: 49,241.

Statistic 61

Japan's 2021 divorces: 183,000.

Statistic 62

Canada's 2021 divorces: 50,517.

Statistic 63

France's 2021 divorces: 118,000.

Statistic 64

Germany's 2021 divorces: 143,687.

Statistic 65

Italy's 2021 divorces: 176,000.

Statistic 66

Spain's 2021 divorces: 48,000.

Statistic 67

Sweden's 2021 divorces: 20,610.

Statistic 68

South Korea's 2021 divorces: 92,000.

Statistic 69

Mexico's divorce rate rose to 1.8 per 1,000 in 2021.

Statistic 70

Russia's 2021 divorces: 1,065,000.

Statistic 71

Brazil's 2021 divorces: 331,000 est.

Statistic 72

Philippines has negligible divorce stats due to legal restrictions.

Statistic 73

Turkey's 2021 divorces: 171,000.

Statistic 74

Vietnam's divorces increasing, 30,000 est. in 2021.

Statistic 75

US divorce rate: 2.5 per 1,000 population in 2021.

Statistic 76

Global divorce trends show 40-50% of marriages end in divorce in Western countries.

Statistic 77

Netherlands 2021 divorces: 28,000.

Statistic 78

In the US, 40 states require vital records offices for birth certificates issuance.

Statistic 79

Worldwide, 75% of births are registered per UN 2021 data.

Statistic 80

US vital records processed 20 million requests annually pre-COVID.

Statistic 81

UK's General Register Office handles 500,000+ registrations yearly.

Statistic 82

Digital vital records systems cover 80% of EU countries.

Statistic 83

India's Civil Registration System registers 85% births in 2021.

Statistic 84

Australia's vital stats digitized since 2005, 100% coverage.

Statistic 85

Brazil's SINASC system registers 95% of births.

Statistic 86

Japan's vital records 100% electronic since 2017.

Statistic 87

Canada's provincial vital stats vary, 98% death registration.

Statistic 88

France's INSEE processes 1 million vital events yearly.

Statistic 89

Germany's Standesämter register all vital events mandatorily.

Statistic 90

Italy's ANPR system links 8,000 municipalities for records.

Statistic 91

Mexico's RENAPO centralizes 120 million vital records.

Statistic 92

Sweden's digital population register since 1947, 100% integrated.

Statistic 93

South Africa's DHA registers 90% births, lags on deaths.

Statistic 94

Russia's ZAGS offices handle 4 million events annually.

Statistic 95

Global civil registration coverage: 75% births, 65% deaths.

Statistic 96

US NCHS NVSS collects data from 50 states + DC.

Statistic 97

Philippines PSA vital stats 95% complete for births.

Statistic 98

Turkey's MERNIS system has 85 million records digitized.

Statistic 99

Vietnam's vital registration 92% for births in 2021.

Statistic 100

US marriages totaled 2,077,000 in 2021.

Statistic 101

England's 2021 marriages: 117,800.

Statistic 102

Global marriage rate estimated at 6.0 per 1,000 adults.

Statistic 103

Australia's 2021 marriages: 91,431.

Statistic 104

Japan's 2021 marriages: 514,000.

Statistic 105

Canada's 2021 marriages: 113,510.

Statistic 106

France's 2021 marriages: 189,000.

Statistic 107

Germany's 2021 marriages: 334,000.

Statistic 108

Italy's 2021 marriages: 160,000 approx.

Statistic 109

Brazil's 2021 marriages: 620,000 est.

Statistic 110

Spain's 2021 marriages: 87,180.

Statistic 111

Sweden's 2021 marriages: 34,982.

Statistic 112

South Korea's marriages fell to 191,000 in 2021.

Statistic 113

Mexico's 2021 marriages: 380,000 est.

Statistic 114

Russia's 2021 marriages: 945,000.

Statistic 115

India's marriage rate high at 8.0 per 1,000.

Statistic 116

Philippines 2021 marriages: 336,000.

Statistic 117

Turkey's 2021 marriages: 484,864.

Statistic 118

Vietnam's marriages: 500,000 est. in 2021.

Statistic 119

US median age at first marriage for men: 30.2 years in 2021.

Statistic 120

In England, 2021 opposite-sex marriages: 112,200.

Statistic 121

Netherlands 2021 marriages: 55,000.

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While a monumental 134 million babies were born globally in 2021, these startlingly precise numbers are just one thread in the complex tapestry of life and death documented by the vital records that shape our personal and public histories.

Key Takeaways

In 2021, the United States recorded 3,659,289 live births, marking a 1% decline from 2020.
The fertility rate in the US dropped to 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 2021.
Globally, there were an estimated 134 million live births in 2021 according to UN data.
In 2021, US infant mortality rate was 5.36 per 1,000 live births.
Global deaths reached 69 million in 2021 per UN estimates.
US total deaths in 2021: 3,464,231.
US marriages totaled 2,077,000 in 2021.
England's 2021 marriages: 117,800.
Global marriage rate estimated at 6.0 per 1,000 adults.
US divorces: 689,308 in 2021.
England's 2021 divorces: 113,505.
Australia's 2021 divorces: 49,241.
In the US, 40 states require vital records offices for birth certificates issuance.
Worldwide, 75% of births are registered per UN 2021 data.
US vital records processed 20 million requests annually pre-COVID.

Global birth and death statistics show widespread declines and vital records modernizing worldwide.

Birth Records

In 2021, the United States recorded 3,659,289 live births, marking a 1% decline from 2020.
The fertility rate in the US dropped to 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 2021.
Globally, there were an estimated 134 million live births in 2021 according to UN data.
In England and Wales, 2021 saw 694,685 live births, the lowest since 1977.
India's birth rate was 17.70 per 1,000 population in 2020 per World Bank.
The US twin birth rate reached 31.5 per 1,000 births in 2021.
China's total births fell to 10.62 million in 2021, down 11.5% from 2020.
In 2020, Brazil registered 2,916,548 births nationwide.
Japan's fertility rate was 1.30 children per woman in 2021.
Australia recorded 294,027 births in 2021, a 1.8% decrease.
France's total fertility rate stood at 1.83 in 2021.
In 2022, Mexico had 1,655,872 registered births.
Germany's birth rate was 9.6 per 1,000 in 2021.
South Africa's births totaled 1,056,752 in 2021.
Italy registered 399,728 births in 2021, lowest on record.
Nigeria's estimated births were 5.28 million in 2021.
Canada's 2021 births numbered 352,901.
Russia's births dropped to 1,398,462 in 2021.
Indonesia recorded 4.8 million births in 2021 est.
Sweden's fertility rate was 1.67 in 2021.
Pakistan's birth rate was 27.46 per 1,000 in 2020.
In 2021, the US preterm birth rate was 10.33%.
Bangladesh registered 2.9 million births in 2021 est.
Spain's births were 351,526 in 2021.
Philippines had 1.48 million births in 2021.
In 2020, the global neonatal mortality rate was 17 per 1,000 live births.
Turkey's fertility rate was 1.88 in 2021.
Egypt recorded 2.5 million births in 2021 est.
Iran's births fell to 1.2 million in 2021.
Vietnam's birth rate was 15.84 per 1,000 in 2021.

Birth Records Interpretation

Amid a global symphony of declining birth rates, from China's sharp drop to Italy's record low, it appears humanity is collectively and quietly reconsidering the assignment.

Death Records

In 2021, US infant mortality rate was 5.36 per 1,000 live births.
Global deaths reached 69 million in 2021 per UN estimates.
US total deaths in 2021: 3,464,231.
England's 2021 deaths: 586,913.
China's 2021 deaths estimated at 10.14 million.
Japan's 2021 deaths: 1,439,809.
India's crude death rate: 7.30 per 1,000 in 2020.
Brazil's 2021 deaths: 1,350,000 approx.
Australia's 2021 deaths: 169,301.
France recorded 613,000 deaths in 2021.
Germany's 2021 deaths: 1,016,899.
Mexico's 2021 deaths: 793,866.
Italy's 2021 deaths: 706,969.
Canada's 2021 deaths: 307,205.
Russia's 2021 deaths: 2,036,000 approx.
South Africa's 2021 deaths: 616,000 est.
Indonesia's 2021 deaths: 1.1 million est.
Spain's 2021 deaths: 419,441.
Nigeria's estimated deaths: 1.28 million in 2021.
Sweden's 2021 deaths: 98,169.
Philippines' 2021 deaths: 142,000.
Global COVID-19 deaths: 5.42 million reported by May 2022.
US heart disease deaths: 695,000 in 2021.
UK's cancer deaths: 167,000 in 2021.
In 2021, Alzheimer's caused 119,000 US deaths.
Pakistan's death rate: 6.88 per 1,000 in 2020.
Vietnam's 2021 deaths: 621,800 est.

Death Records Interpretation

The grim ledger of 2021 reveals a planet collectively sighing its last breath, where heart disease and cancer are old, familiar foes, a pandemic wrote a tragic new chapter, and the heartbreaking loss of every infant is a universe of potential quietly extinguished.

Divorce Records

US divorces: 689,308 in 2021.
England's 2021 divorces: 113,505.
Australia's 2021 divorces: 49,241.
Japan's 2021 divorces: 183,000.
Canada's 2021 divorces: 50,517.
France's 2021 divorces: 118,000.
Germany's 2021 divorces: 143,687.
Italy's 2021 divorces: 176,000.
Spain's 2021 divorces: 48,000.
Sweden's 2021 divorces: 20,610.
South Korea's 2021 divorces: 92,000.
Mexico's divorce rate rose to 1.8 per 1,000 in 2021.
Russia's 2021 divorces: 1,065,000.
Brazil's 2021 divorces: 331,000 est.
Philippines has negligible divorce stats due to legal restrictions.
Turkey's 2021 divorces: 171,000.
Vietnam's divorces increasing, 30,000 est. in 2021.
US divorce rate: 2.5 per 1,000 population in 2021.
Global divorce trends show 40-50% of marriages end in divorce in Western countries.
Netherlands 2021 divorces: 28,000.

Divorce Records Interpretation

The United States, while not winning in per capita heartbreak, still claims the gold medal for sheer volume of romantic reorganizations, proving that when Americans commit, they commit to both the aisle and the exit.

General Vital Records

In the US, 40 states require vital records offices for birth certificates issuance.
Worldwide, 75% of births are registered per UN 2021 data.
US vital records processed 20 million requests annually pre-COVID.
UK's General Register Office handles 500,000+ registrations yearly.
Digital vital records systems cover 80% of EU countries.
India's Civil Registration System registers 85% births in 2021.
Australia's vital stats digitized since 2005, 100% coverage.
Brazil's SINASC system registers 95% of births.
Japan's vital records 100% electronic since 2017.
Canada's provincial vital stats vary, 98% death registration.
France's INSEE processes 1 million vital events yearly.
Germany's Standesämter register all vital events mandatorily.
Italy's ANPR system links 8,000 municipalities for records.
Mexico's RENAPO centralizes 120 million vital records.
Sweden's digital population register since 1947, 100% integrated.
South Africa's DHA registers 90% births, lags on deaths.
Russia's ZAGS offices handle 4 million events annually.
Global civil registration coverage: 75% births, 65% deaths.
US NCHS NVSS collects data from 50 states + DC.
Philippines PSA vital stats 95% complete for births.
Turkey's MERNIS system has 85 million records digitized.
Vietnam's vital registration 92% for births in 2021.

General Vital Records Interpretation

Despite the patchwork quilt of global systems, from Sweden's seamless digital cradle to South Africa's lagging death ledger, humanity’s collective paperwork chase shows we’re far better at counting entrances than exits.

Marriage Records

US marriages totaled 2,077,000 in 2021.
England's 2021 marriages: 117,800.
Global marriage rate estimated at 6.0 per 1,000 adults.
Australia's 2021 marriages: 91,431.
Japan's 2021 marriages: 514,000.
Canada's 2021 marriages: 113,510.
France's 2021 marriages: 189,000.
Germany's 2021 marriages: 334,000.
Italy's 2021 marriages: 160,000 approx.
Brazil's 2021 marriages: 620,000 est.
Spain's 2021 marriages: 87,180.
Sweden's 2021 marriages: 34,982.
South Korea's marriages fell to 191,000 in 2021.
Mexico's 2021 marriages: 380,000 est.
Russia's 2021 marriages: 945,000.
India's marriage rate high at 8.0 per 1,000.
Philippines 2021 marriages: 336,000.
Turkey's 2021 marriages: 484,864.
Vietnam's marriages: 500,000 est. in 2021.
US median age at first marriage for men: 30.2 years in 2021.
In England, 2021 opposite-sex marriages: 112,200.
Netherlands 2021 marriages: 55,000.

Marriage Records Interpretation

While the world collectively said "I do" over 2.4 million times in 2021, America accounted for nearly one in ten of those unions, proving its enduring, if slightly delayed, love for the aisle with grooms now waiting until they're firmly in their thirties to finally settle down.

Sources & References

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