IV. Population, Public Health, &c.
The population of Greater London by the census of 1901 was 6,581,402.
The following table gives comparisons between the figures of certain census returns for Greater London and its chief component parts, namely, the City, the county and the outer ring (i.e. Greater London outside the county). All the figures before those of 1901 are adjusted to these areas.
| Year. | City. | County. | Outer Ring. | Greater London. |
| 1801 | 128,129 | 831,181 | 155,334 | 1,114,644 |
| 1841 | 123,563 | 1,825,714 | 286,067 | 2,235,344 |
| 1881 | 50,569 | 3,779,728 | 936,364 | 4,766,661 |
| 1901 | 26,923 | 4,509,618 | 2,044,864 | 6,581,402 |
The reason for the decrease in the resident City population is to be found in the rapid extension of business premises, while the widening ramifications of the outer residential areas are illustrated by the increase in the later years of the population of the Outer Ring. The growth and population of London previous to the 19th century is considered under History, ad. fin.
The foreign-born population of London was 60,252 in 1881, and 135,377 in 1901. During 1901, 27,070 aliens (excluding sailors) arrived at the port, and in 1902, 33,060. Of these last Russians and Poles numbered 21,013; Germans, 3386; Aliens. Austrians and Hungarians, 2197; Dutch, 1902; Norwegians, Swedes and Danes, 1341; and Rumanians, 1016. Other nationalities numbered below one thousand each. The foreign-born population shows a large increase in percentage to the whole, being 1.57 in 1881 and 2.98 in 1901. Residents of Irish birth have decreased since 1851; those of Scottish birth have increased steadily, and roughly as the population. German residents are found mainly in the western and west central districts; French mainly in the City of Westminster (especially the district of Soho), St Pancras and St Marylebone; Italians in Holborn (Saffron Hill), Soho and Finsbury; and Russians and Poles in Stepney and Bethnal Green.
Vital Statistics.—The following table shows the average birth rate and death-rate per thousand at stated periods.
| Years. | Births. | Deaths. |
| 1861-1880* | 35.4 | 23.4 |
| 1891-1900* | 30.3 | 19.2 |
| 1901-1904* | 28.5 | 16.5 |
| 1905 | 27.1 | 15.6 |
| * Average. | ||
A comparison of the death-rate of London and those of other great towns in England and abroad is given here:—