THE CAUSES OF THE DECLINING BIRTH RATE 147 



Marriage Rates per 10,000 of the Population in Germany 



The marriage rate of France shows a considerable degree of 

 constancy over a long period. It reached its lowest figure, 60.5, 

 in 1870, the year of the Franco-Prussian War, and its highest 

 rate, 97.5, in 1872, the year after the war. During the first 

 twelve years of the 20th century the marriage rate in France 

 showed a very slight increase. The marriage rate in France since 

 the beginning of the last century is shown in the following table: 



Marriage Rate in France 



1801-10 76 



1810-20 79 



1820-30 88 



1830-40 80 



1840-50 80 



1850-60 79 



1860-70 78 



1870-80 80 



1880-90 74 



1890-00 75 



1900 77. 



1901 78 



