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16
In these days when the continued fall in the birth rate affords excellent copy
for journalists, eugenists and those who preach racial hygiene, it is comforting to
reflect that the Shoreditch birth rate is much above that for England and Wales
and for the County of London respectively. In fact, examination of the table on
page 25 shows that Shoreditch had the highest birth rate in London. Even more
important is the fact that there was a substantial credit balance of 1.7 per 1,000
of births over deaths. In many other Boroughs this balance is in the other direction,
but in Shoreditch there is no doubt that the population (apart from emigration and
immigration) is increasing. This increase is unlikely, however, to show itself in any
tangible manner. One of the chief aims of modern public health measures is to
effect a decrease in the density of population, and in a circumscribed borough like
Shoreditch this can only be accomplished by reducing the population of the
Borough as a whole.
MARRIAGES.
The number of marriages during the year was 929, and the marriage rate was
20.5 per 1,000 population. The marriage rate for the Metropolis was 16.9.

It is interesting to note a distinct increase in the marriage rate for the Borough,
especially in view of the fact that London as a whole showed an equally marked
decline. The difference between the rates for Shoreditch and for London was
greater in 1934 than it has been for many years.
DEATHS.
During 1934 the gross number of deaths registered in the Borough was 1,096.
The transferable deaths were as follows:—
Deaths of non.residents registered in Shoreditch 219
Deaths of Shoreditch residents registered elsewhere 311