London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Merton and Morden 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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POPULATION.
The Registrar General's mid-year estimate of the population
of the district was 73,240, a decrease of 430 as compared
with that for 1952. The 1951 census figure of 74,730 has thus
been reduced by 1490, despite natural increases during the
period ranging from 160 to 214 annually.
BIRTHS
Eight hundred and sixty eight live births were registered
during the year, together with 17 still births, giving a total
of 885.
The live birth total is one below that for the previous year,
the birth rate remaining the same. It has now remained
steady for the past three years after a steady decline since
1947, our peak year.
The number of illegitimate births registered were once again 28. This figure has been constant for the past three years, the rate remaining at 32.2 per thousand live births.
| Year | No. illegitimate live births | Kate per thousand live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1937 | 21 | 25.9 |
| 1938 | 31 | 31.3 |
| 1939 | 27 | 26.9 |
| 1940 | 29 | 29.9 |
| 1941 | 40 | 47.2 |
| 1942 | 39 | 36.5 |
| 1943 | 57 | 49.7 |
| 1944 | 49 | 42.6 |
| 1945 | 63 | 61.3 |
| 1946 | 45 | 35.7 |
| 1947 | 38 | 28.3 |
| 1948 | 42 | 38.6 |
| 1949 | 37 | 37.5 |
| 1950 | 23 | 24.5 |
| 1951 | 28 | 32.2 |
| 1952 | 28 | 32.2 |
| 1953 | 28 | 32.2 |