THE CONSUMING POPULATIONS 199 



For the purpose of this analysis, it is convenient to divide Europe 

 into three main sections, namely, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, 

 and the Mediterranean countries. The first of these, which contains 

 over one-third of the population of the continent, has a compara- 

 tively high rate of increase in the population, but a relatively low 

 per capita consumption of animal foodstuffs. Western Europe 

 may be sub-divided into two sections ; the very important and 

 predominantly industrial area comprising the United Kingdom, 

 Northern France, Belgium, Germany and Northern Austria ; and 

 the Scandinavian countries, to which Holland may be added. In 

 the former, containing about two-fifths of the population of the 

 Continent, the rate of increase in the populations is moderately 

 rapid, and the per capita consumption of animal foodstuffs rela- 

 tively high, while in the Scandinavian countries with Holland, 

 which together contain but a small population (about / T of the 

 whole continent) the rate of increase in the population, and the 

 per capita consumption of animal foodstuffs are both but moderate. 

 In the Mediterranean countries the rate of increase in the popula- 

 tion, and the per capita consumption of animal foodstuffs are both 

 on the average rather low. 



It thus appears that in Western and Mediterranean Europe the 

 most rapid increase in population has taken place in the area of 

 greatest population, where also the per capita consumption of 

 animal foodstuffs is above the average for the continent. So far 

 as this section of Europe is concerned, therefore, the result has 

 been to produce a higher average per capita consumption for the 

 increased population, independently of any changes of the local 

 standards of living. 



In Eastern Europe the rate of increase in the population has 

 been more rapid than in the rest of the continent, and the per capita 

 consumption of meat, at any rate, is said to be low. 1 The prob- 

 ability is that the consumption of poultry and eggs in this vast 

 region is considerably in excess of the European average, and this 

 would compensate in some measure for the obviously low meat 

 consumption. The Russian is known to be fond of meat, and will 

 probably consume a great deal more than at present if his economic 

 conditions permit it. The existence in Eastern Europe of this 

 huge population, with a per capita consumption of animal food- 

 stuffs capable of rising considerably under favourable circumstances, 

 is a factor that has to be reckoned with in considering the future 

 outlook. The evidence available as to changes in the Russian per 

 capita consumption of animal foodstuffs in recent years points to 

 the supposition that it has increased. 



When the average per capita consumption of all animal food- 

 stuffs throughout Europe is considered, there is reason to believe 



1 The estimate usually quoted for Russia is that of Mulhall for 1899, namely, 

 60 Ibs. per capita ; that for Austria-Hungary, that of Ostertag for 1890, 

 namely, 64 Ibs. per capita, as compared with 115 to 120 Ibs. in the United 

 Kingdom. 



