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The rate of 15.0 is, however, only a very slight increase over the
rate for the years 1911 and 1912, which was 14.9—the lowest birth-rate
ever recorded in Hampstead.
The highest birth-rate recorded in Hampstead was in the year
1878, when the rate was 24.5. Since then the rate has steadily
declined. In England and Wales there has also been a marked
reduction in the birth-rate, but the Hampstead figures show a greater
proportionate decline, notwithstanding the fact that the marriage rate
has not declined, but has remained constant at about 15 per 1000 for
the past six years.
Though the birth-rate shows a trifling increase this year, this would
not have occurred but for the noteworthy increase in illegitimate births
belonging to Hampstead. The low and declining birth-rate is common
to the whole country, and there can be little doubt that it must be due
to deliberate restriction in child-bearing. It is a significant fact that
at the last Census period 1900-2, the fertility of English wives was
lower than that recorded in any European country except France.

So far as Hampstead is concerned, it is obvious from the Census
returns that the possible favourable effect on the birth-rate that might
have been expected from the higher percentage of population at all
ages married,—which has increased from 28.1 per cent. in 1891 to
31.5 in 1911,—is counter-balanced by the increased age-status of the
population.