The components of natural increase in England and Wales

Abstract

The purpose of this note is to consider some of the main factors affecting natural increase in England and Wales. Though the weight of the various factors is slightly different in Scotland, the population of England and Wales is so much larger that discussion of that country will serve reasonably well to indicate the situation in Britain as a whole. (Northern Ireland would require separate treatment and is not considered here.) And only natural increase will be discussed. Immigration and emigration play a relatively small part in population growth in Britain, are responsive to different pressures, and are at least potentially much easier to control; indeed, immigration — save from Ireland — is already strictly controlled.

In particular, differences in the fertility of the two main religious groups complicate the problem in Ireland. These differences are less substantial in England and Wales and, in any case, religious minorities are much smaller.

In particular, differences in the fertility of the two main religious groups complicate the problem in Ireland. These differences are less substantial in England and Wales and, in any case, religious minorities are much smaller.

Notes

In particular, differences in the fertility of the two main religious groups complicate the problem in Ireland. These differences are less substantial in England and Wales and, in any case, religious minorities are much smaller.