HIGH BIRTH RATE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29130, 16 February 1960, Page 3

HIGH BIRTH RATE

Vital Statistics For 1959

Zealand Press Association > WELLINGTON, February 15. A statement of vital statistics for 1959 was released today by the Department of Statistics. The return gives preliminary figures of total births, still births, deaths, infant mortality, marriages, and other features of the vital statistics of New Zealand. A notable point in the figures] for 1959, says the Government! Statistician, is the continued high birth-rate. This, at 26.5 a 1000 of population, is very slightly less than the high level of 1958 (26.53). There has been an increase in the death-rate to 9.05 a 1000 of population, compared with the remarkably low rate of 8.88 in 1958. The still birth rate is the lowest recorded, but the mortality rate for infants under one year is slightly higher than the average for the previous five years. The number of live births registered was 61.875 (European] 54.745. Maori 7130). The natural increase (births less deaths) in 1959 was 40.747. The total number, of male births a 1000 of female births in 1959 was 1053. The still birth rate maintains the decreasing trend shown in recent years. The combined rate (10.01) a 1000 live and still births recorded in 1959 is the lowest rate recorded since the registration of still births was made compulsory in 1913 Record Adoptions The number of adoptions under the Adoption Act in 1959 was 2299 (European 1966, Maori 333—the highest recorded). The number of boys adopted (1136) was slightly lower than that of girls adopted (1163). For the five years 1955-59 the number of boys adopted (4450) exceeded that of girls by 119 (4331) the total of girls by 119.(4331). The total of 21,128 deaths (European 19,814, Maori 1314) registered in 1959 was 827 higher than that recorded in 1958 (20.301). The number of infant deaths (under one year) registered during 1959 was 1480 (European 1091. Maori 389), the combined rate being 23.92 a 1000 of live births. The European infant mortality rate has shown little fluctuation over recent years. The rate of 19.39 in 1959 is the third lowest recorded. The record low rate of 19.39 a 1000 live births was recorded in 1956. The average for the five years 1954-58 was 19.77. On the other hand, the infant mortality rate for Maoris, which has shown substantial improvement in recent years, is still much higher than the European rate, the average for the five years 1954-58 being 57.55. Marriages performed in 1959 (18,315) were only 10 more than the marriages performed for 1958.