XN000022-1973-01-16 — Page 4

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Tuesday, January 16, 1973

DOWNWARD TREND IN BIRTHS REVERSED

1972 Figure Shows Rise For The First Time Since 1963

The total number of births registered in 1972 was 79,053, a slight

increase over the 1971 figure of 76,818.

This was revealed today by the Registrar General, Mr. W. Hume

Although the increase was only 2,235, or about 3 per cent up on

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the 1971 figure, it was significant in that it reversed the downward trend

noted in each year since 1963, when a record figure of 115,263 births was

registered.

A total of 19,910 births was registered on Hong Kong Island, 48,354

in Kowloon and 10,789 in the New Territories, being 4.46 per cent up, 3.65 per

cent up and 2.86 per cent down respectively as compared with the preceding year.

The crude birth rate also rose to 19.39 per thousand of population

as compared with 18.99 in 1971 and 19.65 in 1970. This is the first increase

since 1960, when the rate was 37.1.

In issuing these figures, Mr. Hume emphasized that they were in

respect of registered births only.

There were always a number of births every year which were not registered

by the parents at the time, with the result that while the figures for registered

births show trends, they do not give a completely accurate picture.

The total registered births comprised 77,076 Chinese (39,731 male

and 37,345 female) and 1,977 non-Chinese (1,049 male and 928 female).

/The number