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
London County Council 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London County Council]
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London A.C.
Net decrease (—) in numbers of children in school between January, 1952, and January, 1953, as percentage of numbers in January, 1952
| Age last birthday January, 1952 | Net decrease | Age last birthday January, 1953 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | - 3.3% | 6 |
| 6 | - 1.4% | 7 |
| 7 | - 1.6% | 8 |
| 8 | - 1.o% | 9 |
| 9 | - 1.5% | 10 |
| 10 | - 0.5% | 11 |
| 11 | - 0.1% | 12 |
| 12 | - 0.4% | 13 |
| 13 | - 2.1% | 14 |
Since the values of qx* at these ages are less than 0.002 the major part of this decrease
represents the net migration among children of these ages. The same calculation for
1950/51 and 1951/52 show very similar results. In short, at all ages from birth to ten
years old there is a constant net movement of children out of the County, such that at
the age of ten only about 83 per cent. of the life table population of the County are in
fact residing there; thereafter the net movement seems at present to be small until just
before school leaving age. These movements of children presuppose corresponding
movements of their parents and if, as is currently the case, the total population of the
County remains fairly stable, these net outflows must be balanced by net inward
movements, presumably among young adults. This hypothesis is lent support by the
table below which shows the comparative age distribution of the population of England
and Wales and London A.C. in 1951.
Persons at various ages per 1,000 total population. 1 per cent. sample, 1951 Census
| Age Group | England and Wales | London A.C. | Excess (+) or defect (—) London A.C. over England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 85 | 83 | - 2 |
| 5- | 72 | 64 | - 8 |
| 10- | 65 | 51 | -14 |
| 15- | 62 | 49 | - 13 |
| 20- | 66 | 75 | + 9 |
| 25- | 75 | 89 | + 14 |
| 30- | 70 | 81 | + 11 |
| 35- | 76 | 82 | + 6 |
| 40- | 77 | 77 | - 0 |
| 45- | 241 | 239 | - 2 |
| 65- | 111 | 110 | - 1 |
| All ages- | 1,000 | 1,000 | 0 |
Since 1940 the crude live birth-rate in London has been substantially the same as in
England and Wales; for a number of years before that date it was between 10 per cent.
and 15 per cent. lower. The defects in the London population at the younger ages are,
therefore, a true reflection of the effects of net outward migration at or below these ages
and the excess at the young adult ages considerably understates the amount of net
inward migration at these ages.
Fertility
The total births allocated to London for 1952 were :
Live 51,558
Still 1,008
Total 52,566
* Probability of dying within one year.