In January this year, Slovenia had 2,617 deaths, which was by a third (32.8%) more than in the same month in 2020.

The number of deaths in January 2021 was also higher by 27.5% than the average for the first month in the period from 2015 to 2019, according to the statistical data released on Sunday.

In January 2021, the average number of deaths per day stood at 84, while in December 2020, this average was as high as 104.

Broken down by age, nearly three fourths (71.7%) were those aged above 75. This age cohort saw a 36.4% rise in deaths this January compared to January in the period from 2015 to 2019.

The preliminary statistical data show that 1,498 children were born in the first month of this year in Slovenia.