148 



THE TREND OF THE RACE 



It is clear that the rate of marriage in France can have had 

 little to do with the birth rate which has quite steadily declined 

 since the beginning of the igth century, even during the various 

 periods in which the marriage rate has increased, especially be- 

 tween 1890 and 1907. 



Other countries in Europe show a fair constancy of marriage 

 rates over decennial periods, some having a slight decrease and 

 others exhibiting a slight increase as we approach the present 

 time. In most countries the highest marriage rate occurred in 

 the decade 1870-80, but the lowest appeared at varying periods 

 down to the present. 



The reduction in the infant death rate which has occurred in 

 Europe during the last quarter century would tend to depress the 

 marriage rates. On the other hand, the declining birth rate 

 would have an opposite effect. We may avoid these sources of 

 error somewhat (though encountering others) if we estimate the 

 proportion of married women to the total number of women of 

 marriageable age. The following table shows the number of 

 married women of 15 to 45 years per thousand of all women 15 

 to 4 5 years: 



Proportions of Married Women in Europe 



Reckoned in this way the proportion of women who are mar- 

 ried shows a decrease in some countries (England and Wales, 

 Ireland), and an increase in others (Prussia, France and Italy), 



