FALLING BIRTHRATE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1924, Page 6

FALLING BIRTHRATE.

NEAR LOWEST RECORD.

DECLINE IN 1923 SHOWN.

DEATH RATE ALSO LOW. The birth rate in New Zealand in 1919 was 21.4-2 per 1000, the lowest in the history of the Dominion. Last year, the rate was 21.95 per 1000, the lowest except that of 1919. Last year’s death rate, 9.03 per 1000, was higher than the mortality in either qf the two preceding years. Following are the statistics given by the Government Statistician of the births and deaths in the last 10 years, the rate per 1000 of mean population being shown in parentheses:—

According to the latest available statistics, only four countries—Switzerland, France, Finland, and the Irish Free State —have lower birth rates than New Zealand. Comparable statistics are as follow; —Ceylon, 40.8 births per 1000; Chile, 39.2; Japan. 35.1; Spain, 30.4; South Africa, 28.4; Netherlands, 27.4; Canada. 26.3; Germany. 25.9; Australia, 24.7; United States, 23.7; Scotland. 23.5; Britain, 22.5; New Zealand, 21.9; .France, 21.3; Switzerland, 20.5; Finland. 19J2; Irish Free State, 18.6.

Although the Dominion's birth rate is low, the death rate is so favourable, that New Zealand ranks high among the nations as regards the rate of natural increase. The latest year-book shows that only a few countries have a greater rate of natural increase— Quebec, the Netherlands, South Africa, Australia, and Uruguay, in that order.

Births. Deaths. 1914 . . 28,338 (-25.89) 10,148 (9.31) 191'5 . . 27,850 (23.33) 9.965 (9.06) 191'6 . . 28,509 (25.94) 10,596 (9.64) 1017 . . 28,239 (25.69) 10.528 (9.58) 1918 . . 25,S60 (123.44) 16.364 (14.84) 1919 . . 24.483 (21.42) 10,-808 (9.45) . . 29,921 (25.09) 12,109 (10.15) 1921 . . 28.567 (■23.34) 10,682 (8.73) 1922 . . 29,006 (23.17) 10.977 (8.77 1923 . . 27,976 (21.95) 11,508 (8.03)