MEMORABLE BOOKS OF PROVINCES AS A SOURCE FOR STUDYING THE MORTALITY OF THE ORTHODOX POPULATION OF BELARUS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Abstract

The article presents the results of the analysis of statistical data published in the Memorable Books of Belarusian provinces for 1858 – 1864. It has been established that the statistical data on mortality in the Memorable Books of Vitebsk province for 1862 – 64 are not reliable and are characterised by significant undercounting of child mortality. The peak of mortality in all cases occurs in early childhood. The share of child deaths in the total number of deaths is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. In both urban and rural areas, boys under 5 years of age have higher mortality rates than girls. In adulthood, differences in male and female mortality patterns in urban and rural areas begin to emerge. In rural areas, there is a slight increase in the number of deaths of women of reproductive age compared to men. In urban areas, the opposite situation is observed, the mortality rate of men of working age significantly exceeds the female mortality rate.