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
Greenwich 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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36
Expectation of Life.—From 1841, when the expectation of life
at birth was 40 years for males and 42 for females, there was a
gradual but persistent rise in both these figures until 1954. but since
that year the expectation of life at birth has scarcely changed and
now stands at 68.3 years for males and 74.4 for females.
ESTIMATED AGE COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION
| Age | No. | Approx. % of Total Population | |
|---|---|---|---|
| As estimated by the Registrar-General : | {Under 1 year | 3,520 | 1.5 |
| {1 to 4 years (inclusive) | 14,380 | 6.2 | |
| {5 to 14 years (inclusive) | 32,000 | 13.8 | |
| {Total Child Population under 15 years | 49,900 | 21.5 | |
| Estimated locally: | {15 to 64 years (inclusive) | 150,508 | 65.2 |
| {65 years and over | 30,742 | 13.3 | |
| {Total Population | 231,150 | 100.0 |
Composition of Population:
(a) sex ratio—Taking the 1961 Census as a basis, it is estimated
that the total population of Greenwich is made up of 112,100 males
and 119,050 females, giving a sex ratio of 1,062 females per 1.000
males.
Ratios for Greater London and England and Wales are 1,094
and 1,050 respectively.
(b) age composition—It has been expedient from time to time
to make analyses of the population figures with particular regard
to age distribution in relation to whooping cough, diphtheria, poliomyelitis
and B.C.G. prophylaxis and, more recently, the problem
of the aged. In line with the general trend throughout the country.
Greenwich has an ageing population and the number of persons
outside the normal working range is still increasing.
Of the Borough's male residents, almost 10% are over the age
of 65 years and women in the same age group form 15.6% of the
female population; together they account for 13.3% of the total
population. If to these figures are added those women over 60
years of age, then the proportion of retirement persons rises to
16.3%.