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BIRTHS.
During the year 1951, 782 births were registered as occurring
in the District, of which 400 were male and 382 were female,
compared with 755 in 1950. It will be seen by reference to the
above table that this is equal to an annual birth rate of 12.2 per
1,000 population, as compared with 11.7, 13.0, 14.6 and 17.0 in
the previous four years. The rate of 17.6 in 1946 was the highest
birth rate experienced in this District, but having fallen to the
lowest pre-war average rate last year, it is interesting to note the
first sign of post-war stabilising in 1951.
The corresponding birth rates for England and Wales were
15.5 in 1951, and 15.8, 16.7, 17.9 and 20.5 in the preceding four
years.
Illegitimacy.—In 1951, of the births registered, 24 were illegitimate
(12 males and 12 females), this being slightly more than
in the preceding year. The percentage of illegitimate births in
1950 was only slightly above the lowest pre-war average.
Stillbirths.—The number of stillbirths registered during
1951 was 23 (13 males and 10 females), as compared with 13, 20,
16.31 and 40, in the preceding five years.
None of the stillbirths occurred in respect of illegitimate
children. The local stillbirth rate was thus 0.36 per thousand of
population, compared with 0.20, 0.33, 0.25 and 0.49 in the four
preceding years. The stillbirth rate for England and Wales was
0.36 in 1951.
DEATHS.
The number of deaths registered during 1951 as belonging
to this District was 739 (349 males and 390 females), as compared
with 615, 622, 545 and 672 in the preceding four years.
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 40 in 1951, and 22, 35, 24 and 32 in the preceding 4 years.
It will be seen from the table of vital statistics that the crude
death rate for the year was equal to 11.5 per thousand of population,
as compared with 9.5 last year, and an average of 9.7 since
the war.
The age and sex distribution of the population of this
District not being typical of that of the country as a whole, a
correction is necessary. Using the comparability factor supplied
by the Registrar General it is found that the corrected death
rate was 10.6, compared with 8.8 last year.
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