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Estimates based upon the 1961 Census indicated that at 1st
April, 1965, there were 7,947 residents (equivalent to 3.4% of the
Borough's total population) who were born outside the British
Isles, of whom almost 2/3rds were from the Commonwealth
countries, the Colonies or Protectorates.
Of the persons enumerated in the Borough of Greenwich during
the 1966 Census some 9,350 or 4.5% were born overseas, an
increase of 15% since the 1965 estimate; the proportion of these
coming from the Commonwealth, Colonies or Protectorates
remained roughly the same, i.e. 2/3rds.
Numbering 1,812, immigrant children formed 4.84% of the total
school roll at the beginning of January 1970. This figure is expected
to rise by 300 to 2,100 by the end of 1970 (equivalent to 5.4% of
the total school roll).
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 68.7 years for males and 74.9 for females.
COMPOSITION OF POPULATION
(a) Sex Ratio—Taking the 1966 Census as a basis, it is estimated
that the total population of Greenwich is made up of 110,510 males
and 117,520 females, giving a sex ratio of 1,063 females per 1,000
males.
Ratios for Greater London and England and Wales are 1,081
and 1,056 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, 11% are over the age of
65 years and women in the same age group form 16.2% of the
female population; together they account for 13.7% 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
16.6%.