Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/653685
6 MATTHEW VELLA MALTA'S fertility rate has fallen below the EU average, and has de- clined since 2001, when it stood at 1.48, to 1.42 in 2014. The EU aver- age in 2014 was 1.58. Overall, the fertility rate in the EU increased from 1.46 in 2001 to 1.58 in 2014. It varied between member states from 1.23 in Portugal to 2.01 in France in 2014. A total fertility rate of around 2.1 live births per woman is considered to be the re- placement level in developed coun- tries: in other words, that is the average number of live births per woman required to keep the popu- lation size constant in the absence of inward or outward migration. In 2014, 5.132 million babies were born in the European Union (EU), compared with 5.063 million in 2001. Among the member states, France continued to record the highest number of births (819,300 in 2014), ahead of the United King- dom (775,900), Germany (714,900), Italy (502 600), Spain (426,100) and Poland (375,200). On average in the EU, women who gave birth to their first child in 2014 were aged nearly 29 (28.8 years). Across the member states, first time mothers were the young- est in Bulgaria and the oldest in Italy. Highest fertility rate in France, lowest in Portugal In 2014, France (2.01) was the only member state with a fertility rate above 2.0. It was followed by Ire- land (1.94), Sweden (1.88) and the United Kingdom (1.81). Conversely, the lowest fertility rate was ob- served in Portugal (1.23), ahead of Greece (1.30), Cyprus (1.31), Spain and Poland (both 1.32), Italy and Slovakia (both 1.37). In most member states, the fertil- ity rate rose in 2014 compared with 2001. The largest increases were observed in Latvia (from 1.22 in 2001 to 1.65 in 2014, or +0.43), the Czech Republic (+0.38), Slovenia (+0.37), Lithuania (+0.34), Bulgaria (+0.32) and Sweden (+0.31). In contrast, the highest decreases were registered in Cyprus (-0.26), Portugal (-0.22) and Luxembourg (-0.16). For the EU as a whole, the fertility rate increased from 1.46 in 2001 to 1.58 in 2014 (+0.12). First time mothers youngest in Bulgaria and Romania, oldest in Italy and Spain In 2014, the mean age of women at birth of their first child stood at 27 or below in Bulgaria (25.8), Ro- mania (26.1), Latvia (26.3), Estonia (26.6), Poland (26.9), Lithuania and Slovakia (both 27.0). In contrast, this age was 30 or above in Italy (30.7), Spain (30.6), Luxembourg (30.2) and Greece (30.0). In the EU, 68,552 more babies were born in 2014 than in 2001. Across the member states, the larg- est relative increases were in Swe- den (+25.6%), the Czech Republic and Slovenia (both +21.1%), Ireland (+16.3%) and the United Kingdom (+16.0%). In contrast, the highest decrease was in Portugal (-27.0%), followed by the Netherlands (-13.5%), Denmark (-13.1%) and Ro- mania (-12.4%). maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2016 News The Malta Environment and Planning Authority is commi ed to ensure that land use and the protec on of the environment meet the needs of today's society and future communi es. The Authority is seeking to recruit: ENFORCEMENT OFFICER/S ETC Permit No 68/2016 The role requires a person/s who will be responsible for monitoring development to ensure that it is not illegal and, is carried out in accordance with any development permission granted. Applicant/s should have: Qualifica ons: Six passes at 'O' level including Maltese and English, and preferably having completed an appropriate course on enforcement; together with thorough knowledge of relevant legisla on and established procedures. Skills: Interpersonal and report wri ng skills, ability to withstand pressure and abuse, and act with tact and firmness in challenging situa ons. Experience: Experience of law enforcement for at least 18 months. The above post is for a definite period. Applica ons, together with a detailed CV are to be addressed to the Human Resources Manager and sent by email on jobapplica ons@mepa.org.mt by not later than Monday 23 rd March 2016. To view more details on posi on, interested candidates are invited to visit the Authority's website www.mepa.org.mt/org-current-openings-at-mepa C A R E E R O P P O R T U N I T Y Malta's fertility rate below EU average Belgium 115,372 125,014 28.6 Bulgaria 68,180 67,585 25.8 Czech Republic 90,715 109860 28.1 Denmark 65,458 56,870 29.2 Germany 734,475 714,927 29.4 Estonia 12,632 13,551 26.6 Ireland*** 57,854 67,285 29.6 Greece 102,282 92,149 30 Spain 405,313 426,076 30.6 France 804,052 819,328 28.3 Croatia 40,993 39,566 28.1 Italy** 535,282 502,596 30.7 Cyprus 8,167 9,258 29.2 Latvia 19,726 21,746 26.3 Lithuania 31,185 30,369 27 Luxembourg 5,459 6,070 30.2 Hungary 97,047 93,281 27.7 Malta 3,957 4,191 28.6 Netherlands 202,603 175,181 29.5 Austria 75,458 81,722 28.9 Poland 368,205 375,160 26.9 Portugal 112,774 82,367 29.2 Romania 220,368 193,103 26.1 Slovenia 17,477 21,165 28.6 Slovakia 51,136 55,033 27 Finland 56,189 57,232 28.6 Sweden 91,466 114,907 29.2 United Kingdom 669,123 775,908 28.6 Iceland 4,091 4,375 27.5 Liechtenstein 401 372 : Norway 56,696 58,976 29 Switzerland 72,295 85,287 30.6 Montenegro : 7,529 : Macedonia 27,010 23,596 26.6 Albania : 35,760 25.3 Serbia 78,435 66,461 27.5 Turkey : 133,7504 : Country 2001 Births 2015 Births Mean age of women at birth of first child, 2014 Health study reveals lower rate of obesity in 11-year-olds A health survey on school-aged children has revealed that the rate of obesity in 11-year-olds has dropped from 33.5% in 2010 to 28% in 2014. The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a study carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organiza- tion, and aimed at collecting data on childhood and adolescent obe- sity. The study takes place every four years. Between the 2010 and 2014 studies, an improvement in the consumption of fruit and an in- crease in physical activity was also noted. More children, across all age groups, are also eating breakfast and consuming fewer soft drinks, though Maltese chil- dren still consume more sugary beverages than average. There were mixed results in the exercise category – 11-year-olds matched the study's average for the performance of moderate ex- ercise for one hour a day. 13-year- olds and 15-year-olds were below average in this category. Health parliamentary secretary Chris Fearne said the improve- ments are the result of a number of several campaigns aimed at raising awareness among chil- dren. "The Lunchbox Campaign and Schools on the Move are just two of the initiatives that are encour- aging children to eat better and exercise," Fearne said. "Though we're on the right track, there is much more to be done." Fearne also said that a cam- paign to be launched later this year would focus on promoting a Mediterranean diet. New student group seeks to tackle 'ingrained gender norms' TIM DIACONO A group of university students have formed an organisation that aims to tackle gender inequality and ques- tion gender norms that are "in- grained in Western society". "Gender equality is often brushed off as a non-issue in the Western world, but sexism is so ingrained in our society that we hardly ever question or acknowledge it," stu- dent Melanie Bonnici said at the launch of Gender Equality Malta (GEM) at the university campus. "For example, it's common for girls to be singled out for praise when they do well in subjects that aren't typically associated with girls. We want to question these norms that have been internalised within us and turn them on their heads." She confirmed that the group, which will apply for official NGO status, plans to branch out of the university and promote gender equality on a national level. Johann Agius, the only male in GEM's executive, urged men to join him in advocating feminism. "Unfortunately, men are often too scared to speak about feminism, but I can clearly state that I am proud to be a male feminist," he said. The group was formed following an initiative by Insite, the univer- sity's media organisation.