INFANT MORTALITY DOWN
LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED IN N.Z. Infant mortality, at 971 or 35.63 per 1000 live births, was exceptionally high in New Zealand in 1938, but the 1939 figures, of 891 total and 30.90 per 1000, indicated a considerable fall. The rate is the lowest ever recorded in New Zealand, according to the Abstract of Statistics, which states that the totals are preliminary ones and exclusive of Maoris. For the fourth year in succession, the birth-rate last year showed an increase over the previous year, the number of births being 28,833, against 27,249. The rate of 18.75 per 1000 population is the highest recorded since 1930, and the number of births registered is the highest since 1922. The general death-rate receded appreciably from the unusually high rate recorded in 1938. The number was 14,158, compared with 14,754 the year before, and the rate was 9.21, against 9.71. The rate of natural increase accordingly showed a substantial improvement, going from 8.22 to 9.54 per 1000 population.
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 24055, 20 February 1940, Page 4
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167INFANT MORTALITY DOWN Southland Times, Issue 24055, 20 February 1940, Page 4
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