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COMMENTS ON STATISTICS
Population
The Registrar General's mid-year estimate of the population for
1962 is 40,890, an increase of 270 on the previous year. In 1961 the
population figure was reduced by 940 to 40,610, and was the result
of a correction in the figure due to the Census. The present increase
is normal and is the result of natural increase. The number of
persons per house dropped from 3.22 to 3.15.
Births
The number of live births has increased by 53 as compared with
1961, this being an increase of approximately 10% on the year. In
consequence the birth rate shows an increase of 1.3 per thousand
births. The birth rate in 1961 is the highest since 1958, which was
the highest for a considerable time. The figure is still considerably
below that for England and Wales. It appears probable that the
decrease in birth rate over the past few years was in fact due to the
population figure being higher than actual as was commented upon
in my last report.
The number of illegitimate births shows a decrease of two live births,
but there were two illegitimate still births. Consequently the actual
number of illegitimate births live and still is the same as in 1961.
The number is slightly over the average of illegitimate births, which
is 19. However, the figure varies very considerably, the highest in
the last ten years being 35 and the lowest 9.
Mortality
The death rate shows a decrease in 1962, being reduced from 12.67
to 10.9. This figure is very close to the average for the past nine
years, which is 10.6.
The deaths of infants under one year per 1,000 live births is 27.0.
In 1961 the figure was 22.4, in 1960 20.6, and in 1959 was 43.1, the
average for the past nine years being 24.4. Owing to the large variation
year by year in these figures comparison with previous years
has little meaning, however, the figure for the past year is higher
than the average for the past nine years by 2.6.
The number of deaths from cancer during 1962 was 78. This is
a little lower than 1961, but is about the average over the last ten
years, which is 79. The number of deaths from cancer does not
appear to vary to any great extent year by year.
There were two deaths from tuberculosis, which is the same as in
1961. This is a very low figure, and is a figure which has shown a
consistent reduction.
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