CHAPTER VI 

 THE DECLINING BIRTH RATE 



"There is no importance in an increasing population; on the con- 

 trary, if the population of Europe were stationary, it would be much 

 easier to promote economic reform and to avoid war. What is re- 

 grettable at present is not the decline of the birth rate in itself, but the 

 fact that the decUne is greatest in the best elements of the population. 

 There is reason, however, to fear in the future three bad results: first, 

 an absolute decUne in the numbers of EngUsh, French, and Germans; 

 secondly, as a consequence of this decline, their subjugation by less 

 civilized races and the extinction of their tradition; thirdly, a revival of 

 their numbers on a much lower plane of civilization, after generations 

 of selection of those who have neither intelhgence nor foresight. If 

 this result is to be avoided, the present unfortunate selectiveness of 

 the birth-rate must be somehow stopped." — Bertrand Russell, Why 

 Men Fight, p. 197. 



"Desire not a multitude of unprofitable children, neither delight in 

 ungodly sons. Though they multiply, rejoice not in them except that 

 the fear of the Lord be with them." — Ecclesiasticus , 16, i, 2. 



"Our remote descendants will probably cease to propagate." — 

 Godwin, Political Justice, II, p. 528. 



One of the most striking features of the recent biological 

 history of man is the decline in the birth rate which has occurred 

 in most civilized countries since the middle of the 19 th century. 

 The decline began, however, at different dates in different coun- 

 tries. In France it set in during the first part of the last century. 

 In England and Germany it was not marked before the latter 

 quarter of that century. In Russia and the Balkan States it still 

 continues high, Bulgaria even showing a slight increase in the 

 birth rate in recent years. The general facts in regard to the 

 changes in the birth rate in Europe may be seen by consulting 

 the following table: 



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