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CHAPTER I.
VITAL STATISTICS
1. The population of the Borough in mid-1961 was estimated
by the Registrar-General to be 124,980 and whilst this is considerably
below 131,384 the census figure for 1951 it probably represents
the most accurate figure attainable.
The census of April, 1961, reveals a provisional figure of
124,843.
2. In 1961 there were recorded 1,725 live births, giving a crude
birth rate of 13.8 per thousand estimated population. The RegistrarGeneral
has provided boroughs with a comparability factor for this
calculation which takes into account the relative proportion of women
of child bearing age in the total community. When this factor of
1.02 is applied the standardised birth rate bccomes 14.07, a more
realistic figure, the origin of which, however, must be remembered
when comparing it with past years.
3. The infantile mortality rate of 16.8 compares very favourably
with the national rate of 21.4 per thousand and this is often used as a
pointer to the adequacy of the services provided. This figure would
have seemed quite unattainable a few years ago and indicates the
advances in obstetrics and paediatrics which have become available in
the district in recent years.
4. The number of deaths totalled 1,200, giving a crude death
rate of 9.6 per thousand. The comparability factor when applied
produces a standardised death rate of 11.04, again well below the
national rate.
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