less than 1% on the previous year

[Mnemon]

Provisional figures suggested that more than 54,000 babies were born in 2005, a rise of 420 births - or less than 1% - on the previous year.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/4836568.stm

Does the preposition "on" here work for you? Or probably you'd prefer "in"?

 

[SoothingDave]

It's a 1% rise over the number of births in 2004.

"On" works. I would use "above."

"In" doesn't work.