Breakdown of Benford's Law for Birth Data

TL;DR

This paper analyzes long-term Romanian birth data to examine deviations from Benford's law, revealing significant breakdowns likely caused by natural population factors rather than human biases.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed investigation of Benford's law breakdown in birth data over a century, highlighting natural causes for deviations.

Findings

Significant breakdown of Benford's law in Romanian birth data

Breakdown linked to population size effects rather than human bias

Natural causes are identified as the primary reason for deviations

Abstract

Long birth time series for Romania are investigated from Benford's law point of view, distinguishing between families with a religious (Orthodox and Non-Orthodox) affiliation. The data extend from Jan. 01, 1905 till Dec. 31, 2001, i.e. over 97 years or 35 429 days. The results point to a drastic breakdown of Benford's law. Some interpretation is proposed, based on the statistical aspects due to population sizes, rather than on human thought constraints when the law breakdown is usually expected. Benford's law breakdown clearly points to natural causes.