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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 1930 was 10.36 per 1,000; 10.19 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 19.89 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 15.14 per 1,000: 15.51 per 1,000 among the Chinese Community and 9.79 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 1930 was 38.16%, the figures for 1929 and 1928 being 38.74% and 29.5% respectively.
The Zymotic Death rate was 0.36 per mille population.
The returns of the 1931 census were not available when these returns were compiled and the figures quoted represent an estimate only.
The deaths from Notifiable Infectious Diseases in order of incidence were as follows:-
Disease Chinese Non-Chinese Total 1 Small Pox 249 0 249 2 (Typhoid 74 5 79 Paratyphoid 2 3 Diphtheria 41 0 41 4 Cerebro Spinal Fever 11 2 13 5 Puerperal Fever 10 1 11 6 Plague 8 0 8 Total 393 8 ...