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2
BIRTHS.
last two years a growing practice of converting houses—even comparatively small houses—
into maisonettes, flats and tenements. In the Southern Wards many houses occupied
in 1911 by separate families comprising small numbers of persons, are now inhabited
by from two to four or even five families. Consequently the averages calculated on the data
obtained in 1911 considerably underestimate the number of inhabitants of those wards at the
present time.

*Decreased to 2.11 at the end of 1920.
Confirmation of the opinion expressed as to the increase of population is afforded by the
total "natural increment" between April, 1911, and December, 1920, which amounted to
7,287 persons. Two comments have to be made with respect to that total. The first that
there is ample evidence that the number of inward transfers of births (see Table I., Appendix)
was incomplete during the first half of the period, and the second, that the number of deaths
recorded annually during 1914 (last four months) and 1915-20, were civilian deaths only,
i.e. deaths "On Service" were excluded. The deficiency of births was probably somewhere
about 750, but no estimate of the deaths "On Service" can be framed.
Up to the time of writing no method has been evolved for estimating populations of the
Wards, or the sex-age composition of any of the populations required for this Report. For
that reason, practically no use will be made of mortality and other rates, preference being
given to Index Numbers. Such numbers show the percentage differences from a selected
standard. As a rule the annual averages for the five years before the war (1909-13) will be used
as the standards taken in each case as equal to 100. Where any other standard be employed
a special note will be made.
II.—BIRTHS.
During the eight years 1911-18 the corrected number of births varied irregularly from
2,977 in 1911 to a minimum of 2,017 in 1918. In 1919 the total rose to 2,316, and reached
3,413 in 1920. In other words, the rise in fertility previously observed after great wars,
followed on the cessation of the last hostilities.
The corrected annual average which was 3,276 during 1904-08, fell to 3,008 during
1909-13 and 2,489 during 1914-18. If the average for 1904-08 be taken as a standard (=100)
the Index Numbers for the other two quinquennia are 92 and 76 respectively, and those
for 1919 and 1920, 71 and 104—which last figure does not afford much hope of replacing the
losses of the war.
Tables I. and II., Appendix, contain more detailed information. The Index
Numbers for the Wards for last year are of some interest. The three highest Numbers—
those for Westbourne (134), Lancaster Gate, West (156) and East (161)—have been recorded
when they were least expected. The increases in Queen's Park, Harrow Road and Church
Wards are remarkably small having regard to the class of population.
Although the use of birth-rates is deemed to be of no practical utility at the present time,
the following rates based on the various estimates of populations given above (see page 1)
may be of some interest.

During the five years 1914-18 the births of males were to those of females as
1,000 :955. In 1916 there was a preponderance of females, the ratio for that year being
1,000: 1,020. In 1919 the ratio was 1,000: 967, and in 1920 1,000: 914. An excess of
births of males over females is another phenomenon which has been observed after wars.