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In each sub-district there has been a considerable decrease
in the birth-rate during the decennium, the decrease being
rather more marked in East Battersea. The rate varies
greatly in the three sub-districts, being low in South-West
Battersea, where the standard of comfort is relatively high,
higher in East Battersea, where the standard is lower, and
highest in North-West Battersea, in which district is the
greatest poverty. It will be noted that in each year of the
decennium 1892-1901, the Battersea birth-rate was higher than
that of London, and that in 1902 it was distinctly lower. A
full discussion of the social forces which have brought about
the decline of the birth-rate would occupy many pages, and
cannot be attempted here. There has possibly been a
physiological loss of fertility, but there is no reason to doubt
that the chief cause is to be found in the fact that an increasing
number of married persons voluntarily limit the size of the
family.
The excess of births over deaths in the whole Borough
was 2,263. In East Battersea the births exceeded the deaths
by 1,075, in North-West Battersea by 732, and in South-West
Battersea the excess was 456.
The births registered as illegitimate numbered 94, or 21
less than in 1901. The number of illegitimate births and the
proportion of the total births during the decennium are given
in the subjoined table.