Covid baby boom: Sydney birthrates spike during start of 2021

A large spike has been recorded in the number of babies being born this year across Sydney which could spell the beginning of a baby boom – as well as an economic boom.

Gary Hamilton-Irvine

3 min read

June 23, 2021 - 9:32AM

Southern Courier

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A spike in the number of babies being born this year across Sydney could boost the state’s economy in the long run – but an expert says it’s too early to label the increase a baby boom.

New data reveals the first quarter of 2021 saw a large spike in the number of babies being delivered at public hospitals across Sydney and wider NSW, which could spell the beginning of a Covid baby boom.

The figures are in stark contrast to 2020 which saw record lows in the number of babies being born across Sydney.

According to the latest data, there were 18,708 babies born through public hospitals across NSW in the first quarter of 2021, up by almost 1000 babies from the same quarter in 2020 (17,727 babies delivered).

Newborn Alfie was born in Sydney in January. Picture: Monique Harmer

It was also the highest first quarter for the number of babies born in NSW in the past decade.

Leading hospitals across Sydney were among the encouraging trend including The Royal Hospital for Women in Sydney’s east (up 11 per cent on births), St George Hospital in Sydney’s south (up 13 per cent), and Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s west (up 6 per cent).

Surprisingly, Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney’s north saw a slight drop in babies born while Northern Beaches Hospital had a large increase (up 30 per cent).

The recently released data does not include private hospitals.

Westmead Hospital. Picture: Angelo Velardo

However, a leading private hospital in Sydney’s east, Prince of Wales Private, also recorded a similar upward trend in births.

The private hospital was up from an average of 156 babies born per month in 2020 to 190 babies born per month during the first three months of this year.

While birth rates have increased experts say it maybe too early to declare it a baby boom

Professor Raja Junankar, an expert in economics at the University of NSW, told NewsLocal this week it was too early to say whether the trend would continue and result in a baby boom.

“Yes there has been a little increase in birthrates in the period following the Covid-19 lockdowns.

“However, we will have to wait 12 months or 18 months more to see if this is just an aberration of the data,” he said.

Jesse de Moet was born in January in Randwick.

“I would read the numbers cautiously at the moment because I would say the general result we have seen in the past is when there is uncertainty in crisis we actually have a fall in birthrates.”

However, he added a growing population was great for the economy long term if this was indeed the beginning of a baby boom.

“A growing population is good for the economy in a range of ways because people will spend more money to buy goods and services, they need more housing, they need more goods, and that stimulates the economy well if the population is growing.”

He said historically a crisis such as a pandemic meant people were less willing to have children, due to financial instability, so the birth figures could still change this year.

Wind de Moet had her baby boy Jesse at The Royal Hospital for Women in January.

The Royal Hospital for Women is part of the Randwick hospital precinct (pictured).

She said her midwife, Phil, mentioned they had seen a large increase in babies being born around that time.

However, she said her experience was excellent and the hospital staff were amazing.

“This was my third birth and (my midwife) delivered my middle child as well.

“I went into the hospital a bit after midnight, had my baby boy and I was home before 5am for my other two children to meet their new brother.

“I was lucky to be at the birthing suites so I didn’t have to go to the ward as another nine babies had been born there that night and it was very busy.

“Phil and midwife Jess were the only two people we were in contact with that night so it felt very safe regarding Covid. Phil came and checked on us at home for the next few days.”