APPENDIX I.
VITAL STATISTICS FOR 1947.
The population of the Colony for mid-1947 by extrapolation methods, was 1,214,762. Inevitably this figure, based as it is on the figures of the last census which was taken in 1931, must be regarded with suspicion. In view of the violent fluctuations in population which have taken place since then, this figure may be regarded as substantially lower than the actual population which may be as great as 1,800,000. See the chapter on population at page 9.
A. BIRTHS.
Records for births are incomplete owing to the hostilities in December, 1941, and the subsequent lack of interest in birth registration manifested by the Japanese during the period 1942-1945 (August).
Births.
45,064
Year.
1940
1941
45,000 (est.)
1942
10,343
1943
20,732
1944
13,687
1945
3,712 (to 31st August only)
1946
31,098
1947
42,473
The birth rate per mille in 1947 is estimated to be 35.0 compared with 26.6 for 1946.
B. DEATHS.
While death registration was equally unsatisfactory throughout the occupation and many thousands of bodies never received burial in recognized cemeteries, such records as are available are given in the following table with those for 1940, 1941-1946, and 1947.
Year.
Deaths.
1940
61,010
1941
61,324
1942
83,435
1943
40,117
1944
24,936
1945
23,098 (to 31st August)
1946
16,653
1947
13,231
The death rate per mille for 1947 was 10.9.
83