Breakdown of Benford’s law for birth data

• Very long survival daily time series (over 97 years) are investigated from Benford’s law point of view.
• We are distinguishing between Orthodox and Non-Orthodox families in Romania.
• The results point to a drastic breakdown of Benford’s law.
• Interpretation is based on the statistical aspects due to population sizes.
• This Benford’s law breakdown clearly points to natural causes.

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.