The Department of Statistics has released updated figures about the island’s population, health and more in the 2024 Digest of Statistics.

While the bulk of figures included in the document date back to 2023 and have already been released previously, the Bermuda Digest of Statistics is intended to be a convenient reference for a range of socioeconomic statistics.

The digest shows a declining population for the sixth consecutive year, with the number of deaths exceeding births by 186.

“The number of births decreased year-to-year by 9 per cent to 436 for another record low since Digest of Statistics records began in 1940,” the document stated.

“Furthermore, the number of deaths increased by 6 per cent to 622.”

School enrolment also declined 3 per cent year-on-year to an “unprecedented low” of 8,424 students.

“Females comprised 49 per cent of the public school system, 51 per cent of private school pupils and 59 per cent of Bermuda College students,” the digest noted.

“Enrolment for government schools fell 5 per cent, making another record low, with declines recorded every year for the past decade.

“Private school enrolment increased slightly whereas Bermuda College student figures dipped by 4 per cent over the past year.”

The figures also showed an increasing number of cases of sexually transmitted infections, with the number of reported infections surging from 261 in 2022 to 413 in 2023.

Chlamydia was the main culprit of the increase, with 324 cases reported in 2023 compared with 185 the previous year.

Despite the declining population, the number of registered road vehicles increased by 1 per cent, reaching the highest level since 2009.

Reported road crashes fell 14 per cent year-on-year between 2022 and 2023.

“Private cars and motorcycles continued to be the leading vehicles involved in these accidents, respectively,” the document stated. “Inattention was the cause of 21 per cent of all accidents.”

The digest also notes a 6 per cent increase in agricultural output, an 18 per cent drop in applications for planning permission and a 6 per cent increase in calls to the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service.