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represents a downward trend or is just one of the slight fluctuations to
which all such rates are liable.
The birth rate for England and Wales was 20.5 in 1947, which was
an increase of 1.4 compared with 1946.
Illegitimacy.— In 1947, of the births registered, 33 were illegitimate
(21 males and 12 females), this being four less than in the preceding
year. This post-war decrease in the percentage of illegitimate births
corresponds with that which occurred after 1918, and is a tendency which
it is hoped will continue.
Stillbirths.— The number of stillbirths registered during 1947 was
31 (13 males and 18 females), as compared with 40 in 1946 and 18 in
1945. All but one of the stillbirths occurred in legitimate children. The
local stillbirth rate was thus 0.49 per thousand of population, which is
the same as in the preceding year, compared with 0.43 in the year 1945.
The stillbirth rate for England and Wales was 0.50 in 1947.
DEATHS.
The number of deaths registered during 1947 as belonging to this
District was 672 (329 males and 343 females), as compared with 591 in
1946 and 549 in 1945.
These numbers exclude deaths which, although occurring within
the District, belonged to other districts, but include deaths of residents
who died outside the District, and also non-residents dying in the District
who have previously had no permanent place of abode, which latter
group has increased of recent years, being 32 in 1947 compared with
29 in 1946.
It will be seen from the table of vital statistics that the crude death
rate for the year was equal to 10.8 per thousand of population, as compared
with 9.8 in 1946 and 10.2 in the preceding year.
While this rate still compares favourably with the crude death rate
for England and Wales, which was 12.0 in 1947, the increase calls for
some explanation.