Figures released by the National Statistics Bureau make it unlikely that Mongolia will come out of the recession any time soon. 

The number of births in January reached 6,127, 729 or 13.5 percent more than in January last year, while thee number of mothers giving birth was 6,097, 718  or 13.3 percent more. Infant mortality stood at 137, an increase by 15.1 percent while maternal mortality rose by 2 to reach 6. Under-5 mortality was 30, a rise by 12 over January last year.

This January 1,860,500 adult animals or 4.2 percent of the total livestock were lost. This is more than in any other year since 2002. Of the animals dead, 57.1 percent were  goats.

Total industrial output reached MNT 142.6 billion demonstrating an increase of 15.4 percent or by MNT 19.0 billion (at 2005 constant prices), compared with the same period of the previous year.

Compared with the same period of the previous year, 15.4 percent increase in output of the industrial sector reflected increases of products such as copper concentrate with 35%, molybdenum concentrate with 47%, zinc concentrate, fluorspar concentrate, coal, crude oil, meat, flour, alcoholic beverage, wine, beer, copper 99%, metal foundries and steel casting.

For the first month of 2010, Mongolia traded with 70 countries from all over the world and total external trade turnover reached USD 295.5 million, of which export made up USD 163.5 million and import MNT 132.0 million. The total external trade balance showed a surplus of USD 31.5 million. The surplus was USD 19 million, or 38.1 percent less than in the same period of the previous year.

Compared with the same period of the previous year, total external trade turnover increased by USD 5.6 million, or 1.9 percent, of which import was USD 12.5 million, or 10.4 percent, but export decreased by USD 6.9 million, or 4.0 percent.

Meanwhile, budget deficit was up by MNT 36.7 billion. Total constant budget income was MNT 140 billion while constant budget expense was MNT 207.7 billion which showed a deficit of MNT 67.7 billion.

Tax income was up by 64.8 percent or MNT 49.4 billion compared to the same period of 2009. Even though tax income was up and manufacturing increased, increased unemployment and loss of livestock  are hurting the economy.