YEREVAN. – In Jan.- March birth rate went down while number of deaths increased in Armenia as compared to previous year, said representative of national statistical service.

Overall 10,251 births were registered in Armenia as of Jan.-March 2011, 3.5% less as compared to the previous year, Karine Kuyumjyan told the journalists on Saturday.

The mortality rate has increased by 9.1% as compared to the previous year reaching 7,851 over three months of 2011.  Newborn mortality rate has increased as well reaching 219.

The rate of natural increase has gone down by 30% in Armenia.