London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Leyton 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Leyton]
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On the other hand, the proportion of the population under 15 years of age has fallen from 32.4 per cent, to 22.4 per cent, in that time. The relevant statistics are:—
| 1901 | 1950 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 years | 12,420,000 | 32.4% | 11,348,000 | 22.4% |
| 15—65 years | 24,105,000 | 62.9% | 33,905,000 | 66.8% |
| Over 65 years | 1,808,000 | 4.7% | 5,481,000 | 10.8% |
Expectation of Life.
From vital statistics it is possible to estimate actuarially the
number of years the average newborn child will live; and the
official 'expectation of life' figures are the basis on which life
assurance companies work in estimating the amount of annual
premiums to be paid on life assurance policies.
We know that people are living longer to-day than they were
doing half a century ago; but how much longer? The answer is
to be found in the official ' expectation of life at birth ' figures.
For purpose of comparison I show the figures for the decennium
ended 1900; and compare them with the last available annual
figures, those for 1949.
EXPECTATION OF LIFE AT BIRTH
Males. Females.
1891/1900 44.13years 47.77years
1949 66.01 „ 70.63 „
The average male child born to-day can therefore expect to five
21.88 years longer than a male child born just before the beginning
of the century; and the female child born to-day 23.86 years
longer.
After the great increases in the expectation of life during the
lifetime of our fathers and mothers, it was expected that future
increases would be on a dwindling scale; but even between the
years 1931 and 1949 there has been an increase of 7.27 years for
males, and 7.75 for females.