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37
Although it is common knowledge that our population structure
is an ageing one and that the proportion of elderly in the population
is rising, this, per se, is not to be construed as evidence indicating
improved vitality of the older groups nor that the longevity of
individuals is increasing. (Indeed, the expectation of life of a man of
65 years has increased only from 10.8 years at the beginning of the
century to the current figure of 12.0). The explanation lies in the fact
that a total of 9,298,000 live births in England and Wales during the
decade 1900/10 (the survivors of which are now forming the '65
years and over' group) proved to be a 'high-water' mark. Subsequent
decades failed to provide comparable births and the resulting 'bulge',
which gave a youthful structure to the population earlier in the
century, is responsible for the present ageing one. This temporary
ageing of population structure, due mainly to changes in fertility,
will have almost ceased to have effect by 1985 but improved mortality
rates, especially evident in the younger divisions during the last 20
years, have begun a gradual but permanent ageing structure which
will not be fully reflected until the middle of the next century.
However, a surge in live births since 1955 (which has already begun
to recede) will, during the next decade, give a higher proportion of
younger age groups and, with the increase in retired people, will
mean a substantial decline in the proportion of our 'working'
population.
In the future, some of these national trends are likely to be
distorted or even reversed in Greenwich for the relatively large-scale
immigration into the Borough during the next few years resulting
from the development of the Plumstead Marshes area is almost
certain to contain a predominance of young married couples and their
children seconded from the G.L.C.'s housing list. This in turn will
affect long term planning of general practitioner, maternity and
dental services, hospitals, schools and the welfare of infants, the
handicapped and elderly people, etc.
Boundary changes consequent upon the inauguration of the
London Borough of Greenwich meant that, for comparative purposes,
some adjustment to the combined populations of the old
Metropolitan Boroughs of Greenwich and Woolwich had to be made
by the Registrar General in respect of the 1961 Census. According
to the Registrar General, the 1961 Census population for the new
Borough is to be regarded as 230,250, showing a transfer of 1,899
persons from North Woolwich to the London Borough of Newham.
The Registrar General has submitted his estimate of the Home
population of the London Borough of Greenwich, computed at
mid-year 1966, upon which the statistics of this Report have been
based. The figure returned is 231,590, indicating a decrease in the
population of 180 from that of the previous year but a rise of 1,340
since the 1961 Census.