It seems likely that the annual birth rate was about 140 males and the same number of females. This represents a figure of 37 births per thousand, higher than that estimated for the land population by the census officer. The recorded number of females aged below 5, even ignoring postnatal deaths, already represents a birth rate of over 30 per thousand, and this suggests that the birth rate among the islands boat-people must have been above 35 per thousand. Up to the age of about 12, the figures for males and females are very similar, and they are again for ages above 45, and even more for ages above 60. These figures must represent the settled, permanently resident floating population. Between the ages of 12 and 45, however, the recorded numbers of males greatly surpass those of females (by about 40% at about age 22).
There is a very slight change in the angle of curve of the female figures at about age 25, which may represent a very small influx of single women, but the figures recorded for females suggest a single, settled, population of females at all ages. The curve is generally coherent at all ages. This curve suggests the average age of death for boat people women was about 17-18. The recorded figures for females can be taken as accurate, and as descriptive of the settled Southern District boat people.
As with the 1911 land population figures, however, the males recorded must include a substantial temporarily immigrant adult male component. On the figures given, the average age of death for men was about 37, which is highly unlikely, unless large numbers of temporarily immigrant adult males are in question, many of whom would have left the area before death.
The average age of marriage recorded for the Southern District boat people in 1921 (about 21-22 for females, 26-27 for males) also suggests a significant number of temporarily resident immigrant adult males. This is discussed in greater detail below.
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seems likely that the annual birth rate was about 140 males and the same number of females. This represents a figure of 37 births per thousand, higher than that estimated for the land population by the census officer. The recorded number of females aged below 5, even ignoring postnatal deaths, already represents a birth rate of over 30 per thousand, and this suggests that the birth rate among the islands boat- people must have been above 35 per thousand. Up to the age of about 12, the figures for males and females are very similar, and they are again for ages above 45, and even more for ages above 60. These figures must represent the settled, permanently resident floating population. Between the ages of 12 and 45, however, the recorded numbers of males greatly surpasses those of females (by about 40% at about age 22).
There is a very slight change in the angle of curve of the female figures at about age 25, which may represent a very small influx of single women, but the figures recorded for females suggest a single, settled, population of females at all ages. The curve is generally coherent at all ages. This curve suggests the average age of death for boat people women was about 17-18. The recorded figures for females can be taken as accurate, and as descriptive of the settled Southern District boat people.
As with the 1911 land population figures, however, the males recorded must include a substantial temporarily immigrant adult male component. On the figures given, the average age of death for men was about 37, which is highly unlikely, unless large numbers of temporarily immigrant adult males are in question, many of whom would have left the area before death.
The average age of marriage recorded for the Southern District boat people in 1921 (about 21-22 for females, 26-27 for males) also suggests a significant number of temporarily resident immigrant adult males This is discussed in greater detail below.
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