Foreigners give Algarve high birth rate

Immigration is one of the main reasons for the Algarve having one of the highest birth rates in the country in 2008, according to the Regional Health Board (ARS). “A total of 4,804 babies were born in the Algarve region (in 2008), of which 1,139 are children of foreign mothers, figures that exceed those reached in 2007 and place the Algarve as one of the Portuguese regions with the highest birth rates” according to a statement from the Regional Health Board.

Immigration is considered a great contributor to rejuvenating the region’s population and helps the socio/economic development of the Algarve.

Brazilian mothers had most births in the Algarve last year (365 babies), followed by Ukrainian (150) and Romanian mothers (130). One hundred Moldavian and 67 British babies were also born in the Algarve. Other nationalities which comprise the 1,139 foreign babies born in the Algarve are from Angola, Guinea, Cape Verde, France and Bulgaria.