MORE BOY BABIES IN ENGLAND SINCE THE WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 288, 29 June 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

MORE BOY BABIES IN ENGLAND SINCE THE WAR.

MANY RECORDS BROKEN', AMONG THEM LOW MORTALITY.

Tn view of the tradition that»more male babies are born jut after 'a war than in normal times, available figures are instructive. The annual report of the Registrar-General for the United Kingdom for 19:5 shows that in that year a remarkable number u£ records were broken. The marriage rate was the highest on record, but the birth rate was the lowest. The age rates of bachelors marrying spinsters and of spinsters marrying bachelors were both the highest on re:ord, and the increase of boy babies over girl babies between July, 1915, and June, 1916, was the highest for 50 years: the mortality rate in 1916 was the lowest.

Tho average age of bachelors marryin spinsters was 27.33 and of spinsters marrying bachelors. 25.47. The number of births recorded was 814,614, of whom 415,205 were males and 399,409 females-, the ratio being 1040 to 1000. This ratio for a whole year does not represent tiie true situation as regards war babies. The March quarter, which Wnis not affected by the war, showed a ratio of 1032 males to 1000 females, but the December quarter showed a ratio of 1014 males to" 10C0 female'. In 1916 the ratios were: —March quarter, 1050 to 1000; June quarter, 1045 to 1000; December quarter, 1050 to 1000. In the year from July 1,1915, to June 30 1916, the first complete year affected by mar conditions, the ratio was 1047 males to 1000 females. This record, so far as males were concerned, considerably above any recorded in 50 proceding years, and .approximated the F.uropean rate, which for many years has been in exces.. of the rate in England.

A rise in the mortality among aged persons of liotli sexes l occurred in other belligerent countries as well as in England, and may be a reflex of the unusual stress end anxiety. Infant morta'ity during the year was 110 per 1000 births. Thij was five per 1000 ahove the rate for 1914, but was below the average for 'the years between 1905 end 1914. The infant mortality rate in 1916 showed a fall to 91 per 1000, which is the lowest on record.