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The births in the different wards of the borough are given
in Table VIII., together with the estimated birth-rate for each
ward and certain particulars regarding illegitimacy. The estimated
populations on which these rates are calculated are given in
Table III. It will be seen from this table that, generally speaking,
there were no marked variations in the birth-rates in the
different wards. The lowest rate, 12.8, was in Bemersyde ward,
this rate representing a decrease on the 1936 figure. The highest
rate, 21.1, occurred in the Plashet Road ward; it represented the
highest increase shown by any ward over the 1936 figures. The data
in column 7 show that the wards which were most responsible for
the increase in the total birth-rate in West Ham for 1937 over
that for 1936 were Plashet Road, Hudsons, and High Street.
These increases were counterbalanced by certain decreases, notably
the marked fall in the birth-rate in West Ham ward.
Secular changes in the birth rate. The birth rate for each
year since 1876 is set out in Tables IXa and IXb. (The figures
given in Table IXb are those published for the area by the
Registrar-General.) The birth rate for the country as a whole
began to decrease in the year 1877, and since then the declinc
has been progressive. The situation is reflected in the experience
of West Ham. The highest birth rate—43.3 per 1,000 of the
population—occurred in the years 1882 and 1884. Since then the
downward trend of the rates has continued, until it is now less
than half what it was at the beginning of the century. Rates
for quinquennial periods—given in Table X.—show clearly the
extent of the decline. The lowest birth rate so far recorded for
the area was 15.5 in 1935. The slight increase during the last
two years is welcome, but not sufficiently large to be regarded
with satisfaction. It may be that the increase is due to an increase
in the number of marriages, but the data regarding marriages
in the county borough area are meagre. On the other hand the
increase in the birth rate must also be viewed in the light of the fact
that the population is gradually growing " older," and that
therefore, if fertility remained constant, a further decline in the
birth rate would be expected. Data for further years will bp
required before any tentative conclusions can be reached.
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