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37
From details given in the accompanying table it will be seen that
the "working" population of Greenwich, i.e. those between 15 and
65 years amounts to approximately 65.2% and that of "dependent"
groups collectively, to 34.8%. In effect, this means that for every
two persons of "working age" there is one dependent person outside
this group.
Marriages
The Marriage Rate is calculated on a "total population" basis
and, as such, is not strictly comparable with other areas by reason
of discrepancies in age constitution. A more accurate ascertainment
would be to return a rate based upon the marriage of unmarried
persons over the age of 16 years (legal marriage is prohibited where
either party is under 16 years). As over 90% of all births are legitimate
it follows that the extent to which people marry exerts a
powerful influence on the fertility rate.
Mrs. V. M. Gilham and Mr. H. E. Turner, Superintendent
Registrars for the Districts of Greenwich and Woolwich respectively,
have kindly furnished me with particulars relating to the number of
marriages solemnised or registered in the London Borough of
Greenwich during 1967. The total of 2,006 gives a marriage rate
(i.e. persons marrying) of 17.94, an increase of 1.25 over that of the
previous year and is 2.04 in advance of the figure of 15.9 for England
and Wales. Greater London returned a rate of 18.43.