India, June 15 -- Long term demographic data from the Congo [DRC] reveals a significant downward trend in annual mortality rates since the mid twentieth century.
Historical Peaks and Early Shifts
The mortality rate in the Congo [DRC] stood at 23.249 per 1,000 persons in 1960. During the following years, figures fluctuated slightly, reaching 23.7 in 1964 before beginning a more consistent descent. By 1970, the rate had decreased to 21.085.
Steady Progress Through the Century
Data indicates a gradual reduction in deaths as the decades progressed:
* The rate dropped to 18.985 by 1980.
* It reached 16.859 in 1990. A brief interruption occurred in the mid 1990s when the rate rose from 15.799 in 1995 to 16.522 in 1996.
Modern Era Improvement...