The number of death row inmates is expected to total 130 at the end of 2013, down from 133 a year ago for the first drop in five years, Justice Ministry officials said Saturday, reflecting an increase in executions and a drop in the number of people given death sentences.

Eight people were executed in 2013, up from seven in 2012, while eight people were given death sentences this year, down from nine last year.

Three death row inmates died of natural causes this year.