While the infant (babies aged 0–364 days) mortality rate fluctuated in the 19th century, it dropped overall. The downward trend was consolidated at the turn of the 20th century. A declining birth rate from the 1870s meant smaller families and more time available for baby care, which contributed to a decline in mortality. The mortality rate almost consistently dropped throughout the 20th century and stabilised in the late 1990s.
Using this item
Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Source: Statistics New Zealand, Births and deaths: year ended December 2017
This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.