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 19th 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 45 years: 
Proportions of Married Women in Europe 
1870-71 | 1880-81 | 1890-91 | Ig00-oI 
England and Wales...... 519 514 404 492 
Trelandsisseusdewacauenas 422 395 364 330 
SWEdehieg op dnpietwemean 457 444 454 444 
Germany...............- ried 519 515 528 
PHUSSia sis, osha wane ages 498 519 519 533 
Austria........ baleraaoe wae 520 504 518 
Franc... ceccas cece enasn 555 549 545 577 
CAs Fre chee eee aes 540 552 = 561 
Reckoned in this way the proportion of women who are mar- 
ried shows a decrease in some countries (England and Wales, 
Treland), and an increase in others (Prussia, France and Italy), 
