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19
SECTION II.
VITAL STATISTICS.
Marriages.—The number of marriages solemnised was 2,125,
compared with 2,244 in 1933; 2,134 in 1932; 2,212 in 1931; 2,112
in 1930; and 1,982 in 1929. The marriage rate was 9 per 1,000
of the population; 1,025 were solemnised in Established Churches,
280 in other places of worship, 818 in the Register Office; 2 ceremonies
were performed under Jewish ritual.
Births.—The births registered were 3,035 legitimate and 150
illegitimate. The birth.rate consequently was 13.2. For England
and Wales the rate was 14.8, and in the 121 Great Towns it was
14.7.
The illegitimate births in Croydon were 4.7% of the total,
compared with 4.2% in 1933, 4.9% in 1932, 4.8% in 1931, 5.1% in
1930, and 4.8% in 1929..
The total male births numbered 1,653, the female 1,532
being a proportion of 1,079 males to 1,000 females.
The subjoined table gives the vital statistics for the Wards in
the Town. It is seen that the Wards with the highest birth.rates
were Waddon (17.3), Thornton Heath (16.6), and South Norwood
(16.2).
Those with the lowest were: Norbury (6.7), Upper Norwood
(8.1), East (9.3), and South (9.4).
Deaths.—The deaths numbered 2,571, compared with 2,721 in
1933. For 1934 the death.rate was 10.7. For 1933 it was 11.3.
The death.rate for England and Wales was 11.8, and for the 121
Great Towns 11.8. For London the death.rate was 11.9. The
male death.rate was 11.2, the female 10.4 for the Borough.
There were 220 inquests held by Coroners in respect of Croydon
residents during 1934, and 123 findings by Coroners after postmortem
examination without inquest.
Wards with the highest death.rates were: Whitehorse Manor
(13.2), South and Waddon (12.7) ; lowest in East (8.2), West
Thornton (9.1), Upper Norwood and Central (9.2).
Natural Increase.—The excess of births over deaths was 614,
or 2.6 per 1,000 of the population.
Immigration is playing a larger part than natural increase in
the rapid increase of population. In the nature of things this is
a difficult factor to estimate with any accuracy and in time leads to
deductions based on total population being only approximate.
In such a rapidly growing district, a five.yearly census is most
necessary if statistics are to be reasonably accurate.