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POPULATION.
The Registrar-General estimates that the population on
the 30th June, 1937, was 64,525. This is an increase of only
415 over the previous year. It is true that a part of the
Borough, with a population of approximately 600, was transferred
to Friern Barnet on the 1st April, 1937; nevertheless,
for a number of reasons, it would appear that the RegistrarGeneral's
estimate is too low and that the real figure is not
less than 66,500.
In consequence of the alteration of boundaries during
the year, the Registrar-General suggests a population of
64,676 for the purpose of calculating the birth and death
rates and the incidence rates of infectious diseases.
The natural increase, or the excess of births over deaths,
was 191.
BIRTHS.
In 1937 the number of live births registered was 895,
an increase of 62 over the previous year. The birth rate
was 13.84 as compared with 12.99 in 1936 and 10.97 in 1933.
If the estimated populations of the Registrar-General are
correct there has been a definite and progressive increase in
the birth rate over the past 4 years, but this is difficult to
believe and I think it is likely that much of the increase is
only apparent and that the population has been consistently
underestimated.
The birth rate for England and Wales was 14.9.
In 1937 there were 39 illegitimate births as compared
with 36 in 1936.
Twenty-five stillbirths were registered in 1937, giving a
rate of 27.17 per 1,000 of all births.
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