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Population
The Registrar-General's mid-year estimate for 1962 is 90,4.80.
Last year's estimate was 91,710.
The density of population is now 51.23 persons per acre. In 1912
it was 157 per acre.
During the year there was a natural increase in population of 719;
that is there were 719 more births than deaths. The Registrar-General
estimates the population to be 1,230 less than last year, the indication
being that 1,949 persons have moved out of the Borough.
Births
The total number of live births registered in the Borough, during
the year, was 4,396 and of this 2,700 belonged to other areas. In
addition 156 births belonging to Stepney occurred outside the borough,
making a total of 1,852 births (94.5 Males; 907 Females) to Steoney
residents.
The live birth rate is 20.4-7 per 1,000 population, the highest since
1946. The rate when adjusted by the comparability factor is 18.6 compared
with the rate for England and Wales of 18.0, the highest since 1947.
Illegitimate live births numbered 269, representing 14.31 per cent
of the total live births.
Still-births numbered 36, representing a rate of 19.06 per 1,000
total births, compared with 18.1 for the country as a whole.
Illegitimate Births
The graph (opposite) shows the increase in illegitimate births
since 1957 for the London County Council area, and for Stepney. These
figures taken with the rising number of cases of venereal disease,
perhaps demonstrate changing moral values in our society. Unfortunately,
children born out of wedlock show higher morbidity and mortality
rates compared with those born into a normal family. Also the social
ostracism met by the unmarried mother creates a mental atmosphere which
cannot be conducive to the wellbeing of the developing child. As has
been said, there are no illegitimate children, only illegitimate
mothers and fathers! Whilst to welcome the trend evidenced by the
rising illegitimacy rate would be nonsensical, yet there should be no
doubt about what to do to help the child involved. This would appear
to be an age of transition in respect of moral codes. It behoves the
older generation to seek a synthesis of that which is best in the old
tradition - particularly in regard to stable family life - with that
which is laudable in the new, namely, franker, less hypocritical views
on sex. To condemn youth, whilst not providing positive standards for
their aspirations, will do nothing to prevent a trend which can prejudice
the health of an increasing number of vulnerable babies and children.
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