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Births.
The total number of live births registered in the Borough during
the year was 3,870, and of this number 2,219 belonged to other areas.
In addition, 202 births belonging to Stepney occurred outside the Borough,
making a total of 1,853 births (959 male and 894 female) to Stepney
residents.
The live birth-rate is 18.94 per 1,000 of the population. The rate
when adjusted by the comparability factor is 16.66, compared with the rate
for England and Wales of 16.1. The preliminary report of the London
County Council's Medical Officer of Health reveals that the County birthrate
of 16.2 is the highest since 1949.
Illegitimate live births numbered 164, representing 8,8 per cent of
the total live births.
Still-births numbered 35, representing a rate of 18.53 per 1,000 total
births, the lowest rate ever recorded in the Borough.
Marriages.
The number of marriages registered during the year was 905, being 71
less than last year. The rate of marriages per 1,000 population is 18.5,
compared with 19.9 in 1956.
Deaths.
The net number of deaths registered during the year was 1,214
(679 male and 535 female), compared with 1,186 last year. The rate of
12.41 compares with 12.08 for 1956, The principal causes of death were
heart disease, which accounted for 28 percent of the total deaths, cancer
20 percent, and diseases of the respiratory system 18 per cent. Deaths
of persons over the age of sixty-five accounted for 65 per cent of the
total deaths. Details of deaths by cause and age are given in Table 1
of the Appendix on Pages 50 and 51.
In England and Wales to-day the expectation of life of a boy at birth
is 68 years, and of a girl 73 years, compared with 40 and 42 years respectively
in 1841, and with 59 and 63 between the years 1930-1932.
Infant Mortality.
Deaths of infants under 1 year numbered 45, giving a rate of 24.28
per 1,000 live births, compared with 22,52 last year. The rate for
England and Wales for the year is 23.0. Of the infant deaths 29 were
under 4 weeks old, representing a rate of 15.65 per 1,000 live births.
Last year there were 34 neo-natal deaths, and the rate was 17.81 per
1,000 live births. The neo-natal mortality rate for England and Wales
is 16.5.
The "peri-natal" mortality rate of infants (viz., still-births plus
deaths occurring in the first week of life) was 33.36, compared with
29.21 last year.
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