The population of Macao was estimated at 508,000 at the end of the September, up 26,000 over the same period of last year, according to official statistics issued Friday.

The figures released by the government-run Statistics and Census Service showed that the region logged 1,034 cases of live birth in the third quarter, an increase of 11.1 percent over the previous quarter.

The region recorded 381 mortality cases in the quarter, the figures displayed.

Meanwhile, 402 cases of marriage were registered, down 18.5 percent over the second quarter, but up 22.6 percent over the third quarter of 2005, according to the statistics.

(Xinhua News Agency November 25, 2006)