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A low fertility rate is contributing to an Oregon first: More people died in the state last year than were born.
Preliminary numbers show deaths increased about 7% because of COVID-19. But a low birthrate is also a factor.
For the first time in recorded history, deaths outnumbered births in Oregon.
For years, Oregon’s been averaging about 1,500 more births a year, than deaths. But since the great recession in 2008, that average has gradually been dropping.
Josh Lehner, with the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, said COVID-related deaths last year finally pushed the number into negative territory not by a lot but about 200 more Oregonians died last year than were born.