GAZA, January 6, 2012 (WAFA) – There was 56,879 new births in the Gaza Strip during 2011, more than half of them males, a statement by Hamas ministry of interior said Friday.

It said birth rate had actually dropped in 2011 by 8% compared to 2010, where 61,451 new births were recorded.

An average of 155 new births were recorded daily in 2011, said the statement.

Gaza City and its area towns had the highest number of new births, followed by Khan Younis. The lowest number of births was recorded in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.

In contrast, death rate dropped by 3.4% in 2011 compared to the previous year.

The statement said 4182 deaths were recorded in 2011, at a rate of 11 deaths a day, more than 55% of them males, compared to 4327 deaths in 2010.

Most of the deaths were recorded in the north of the Gaza Strip and the lowest numbers were in the south.

The rate of new births to deaths in 2011 was 14 to 1, said the statement.

M.S.