THE BRITISH BIRTH-RATE
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—You say that if the very low birth-rate persists " the youth of the decades after next will be burdened with a pensionable age-group out of proportion to the normal capacity of the State to maintain." It should be noted, however, that the individuals between the ages of 14 and 61 will probably continue to be about half of the population. Will it, therefore, make much difference financially if they will be keeping many old people and few children instead of, as formerly, many children and few old people ? Indeed, a person over 70 is generally cheaper. Again, as the declining population will reverse the great agricultural Law of Diminish- ing Return and also in other ways increase the wealth per head, a smaller percentage of septuagenarians will be bereft of means and health.—I am, Sir, yours respectfully,
B. DuNT^r.
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