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3
Vital Statistics.
Population.—Ihe population of the Borough at the middle of
1940 is estimated by the Registrar-General to have been 108,380
or 23,220 less than in 1939. On this figure is based the birth-rate
and the civilian death-rate.
Births registered in Battersea numbered 2,489. Of these,
only 1,301 were of Battersea parents, but there were 493 Battersea
children born outside the Borough, and the total number of
Battersea live births in 1940 was therefore 1,794 (900 males, 894
Females), giving a live birth-rate of 16.55 per 1,000 of the
estimated population.
Still births numbered 47—rate 25.5 per 1,000 births, live and
still. '
Illegitimate births numbered 100, which included 3 among the
still births.
Of the 1,794 Battersea live births, 1,442 were notified to the
medical Officer of Health under the Public Health (London) Act,
Marriages.—1,654 marriages were registered in Battersea
during 1940, giving a marriage-rate of 30.5, over 50 per cent.
above the average for 1935-39.
Deaths.—2,962 deaths were registered in Battersea during
1940. Of these only 1,546 were of Battersea residents, but there
must be added 446 deaths of residents of the Borough registered
elsewhere, giving a total of 1,992 (992 males, 1,000 females) and
a death-rate of 18.38.
For the 5 years 1935-39 the death-rate was 12.5 per 1,000
population, the average number of deaths per annum having been
1,779. The number in 1940 was 213 in excess of this average,
while the estimate of population upon which the rate is calculated
was much reduced. Deaths through enemy action and deaths
ascribed to bronchitis, which numbered 200, or 106 more
than the same 5 years' average, account for the increase.