Report of the Committee on the Economic and Financial Problems of the Provision for Old Age.

  • Great Britain. Committee on the Economic and Financial Problems of the Provision for Old Age.
Date:
[1954]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee on the Economic and Financial Problems of the Provision for Old Age. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    102/128 (page 96)
    Year 0-14 15-44 45-64 65 and over All ages (6) Percentage distribution 1851 an es aS 46 14 5 100 1861 fey we 36 45 14 Bi) 100 1871] ie see 36 44 15 5 100 1881 ie ee 36 45 14 5 100 189} ne ie 35 46 14 5 100 1901 mM ae 32 A8 15 5 100 1911 4 Re: 31 48 16 5 100 1921 ye ee 28 47 19 6 100 1931 — ne 24 47 22 7 100 1951 a 3% 22 43 24 li 100 3. From Section (a) of the table it can be seen that during the last forty years the population under age 45 has remained virtually constant at about 32 million, whilst the numbers over that age have increased from nearly 9 million to 17 million. During that period, although the total population has grown by only 20 per cent., the “ middle-aged’ population (ages 45-64) has increased by nearly 80 per cent., and the “elderly” population (ages 65 and over) by as much as 150 per cent., but the “ under 45’s ” not at all. ; 4. Section (b) of the table shows that until the end of last century there was little or no variation in the proportions in which the total population was distri- buted over the four broad age-groups. Up to that point there were, for every 12 persons in the “ working” age-group 15-64, 7 young dependants and one old dependant; in 1951 the corresponding numbers were 12, 4 and 2 respectively. The ratio of old people to “workers” has been doubled, while the ratio of children to “workers” has been reduced by nearly. one-half. The net effect of these opposing changes on the national economy is not a matter within the scope of this paper. Il. BrrTH RATES 5. These population changes are mainly the outcome of changes in fertility and mortality during the period. As regards the former, Table 2 shows, for the three year period adjacent to each population census, the average annual number of live births and the number of legitimate births per 1,000 married women under age 45. TABLE 2 Live Births in Great Britain Average Legitimate births Period annual number per 1,000 married (thousands) women under women UnOengeecn 45 Ty) a Ree 922 ao 365 ae 1880-82 eres Se 1,011 289 1890-92 eee ts 1,018 | 267 Hl Le eee 1,064 | 239 1910-12 ain niet 1,007 201 [oj0 prs ON te | 987 | 184 1930-32 | 725 127 1950-52 | 773 | 108 For the purpose of a proper study of the fertility trend it would be necessary to analyse this experience in more detail. The above figures are quoted merely to show the consistent downward movement which continued over a long period until a few years before the war of 1939-45. In the years immediately following the war this trend was sharply reversed and although the “boom” has largely