ABSTRACT
Vital statistics is one of the youngest branches of science; for though there were a few enquiries of a statistical nature in Italy and France during the 16th century, it is customary to date the beginning of modern statistics from the publication of J. G. Sussmilch's famous work in 1761. It is possible to claim that a more real advance in the study of vital statistics was made through the practical desire to place Life Annuities upon a sound actuarial basis, than through the various population controversies. In the 17th century, governments, particularly those of England and France, began to raise money by selling life annuities. In 1742, a Dutchman, Kerseboom, published a work on life annuities and in 1746, Deparcieu published a study of the vital statistics of the nominees of two tontines in France between 1695 and 1740 and also those of a number of monks and nuns.
