ENG-1947 — Page 117

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