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14.6 per 1,000 population, as compared with 17.0 in 1947. The rate of
17.6 in 1946 was the highest birth rate experience in this District and it
will be interesting to see whether the recent downward trend continues,
and if so, to what extent.
The birth rate for England and Wales was 17.9 in 1948, which was a
decrease of 2.6 compared with 1947.
Illegitimacy.—In 1948, of the births registered, 30 were illegitimate
114 males and 16 females), this being three less than in the preceding year.
The post-war decrease in the percentage of illegitimate births which
corresponds with that which occurred after 1918, has halted this year,
it is hoped only temporarily.
Stillbirths.—The number of stillbirths registered during 1948 was
16 (8 males and 8 females), as compared with 31 in 1947 and 40 in 1946.
All the stillbirths occurred in legitimate children. The local stillbirth
rate was thus 0.25 per thousand of population, compared with 0.49 in
each of the two preceding years, which is a great improvement. The stillbirth
rate for England and Wales was 0.42 in 1948.
DEATHS.
The number of deaths registered during 1948 as belonging to this
District was 545 (269 males and 276 females), as compared with 672 in
1947.
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. The latter
group has increased of recent years, being 24 in 1948 and 32 in 1947.
It will be seen from the table of vital statistics that the crude death
rate for the year was equal to 8.7 per thousand of population, as compared
with 10.8 in 1947, representing a return to little more than the pre-war rate.
The crude death rate for England and Wales similarly fell from 12.0
m 1947 to 10.8 in 1948.