# VIII. Public Health.
The estimated population of the Colony is as follows:
(1) Non Chinese
(2) Chinese:
City of Victoria, 577,500
Villages of Hong Kong 46,080
Kowloon (and New Kowloon)... 296,480
Population afloat (Junks & Sampans) 109,050
New Territories 96,250
Total Chinese population 1,125,360
Total Civil population 1,143,510
The population of Hong Kong is a very variable one and, owing to the large unstable, floating population, and to partial birth registration, no reliable means are available for estimation. For purposes of statistics, the estimated population of the New Territories has been subtracted.
The Crude Birth Rate for the year 1929 was 9.76 per 1,000; 9.56 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 19.3 per 1,000 among the non-Chinese.
These figures are very inaccurate and unreliable owing to incomplete registration of Chinese births (especially females) and immigration. There are signs, however, that registration is increasing among the Chinese Community. The non-Chinese rate is more trustworthy.
The Crude Death Rate was 16.77 per 1,000: 16.95 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 12.06 per 1,000 among the non-Chinese. As registration is essential before burial can take place the figures for deaths are much more accurate and reliable than those for births.
The ratio of Infantile Deaths (under 1 year) to total deaths for the year 1929 was 38.74%, the figures for 1928 and 1927 being 29.5% and 31.6% respectively.
The Zymotic Death rate was 1.36 per mille population.