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education in primary and secondary schools, amounted to approximately
67,000 or almost 17% of the total school population.
Of all the Inner London Boroughs, Greenwich had the lowest
percentage of such schoolchildren. Numbering 1,986, immigrant
children formed 5.21% of the total school roll at the end of 1970.
This figure is expected to reach 2,200, equivalent to 5.7% of the
school roll, by the end of 1971.
Under the Local Government Act, 1966, a person of foreign
origin with 10 years standing or less as an inhabitant, or a child of
such parents, is termed an immigrant. As almost a decade has
elapsed since the introduction of the Commonwealth Immigrants
Act, 1962, it follows that, after the end of next year, the number
of schoolchildren classified as immigrants will even out and
subsequently begin to decline.
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.
Sex-wise there is a substantial disparity in those persons reaching
the older age groups. Although some 82% of all females can be
expected to reach the age of 65 years only 70% of males are
likely to succeed.
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 109,612 males
and 116,518 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 1,052 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,
measles and B.C.G. prophylaxis and, now of major
importance, 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. It is estimated that, of
the Borough's male residents, 11.1% are over the age of 65 years
and women in the same age group form 16.4% of the female
population; together they account for 13.9% 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 16.9%.