1 FEBRUARY 1930, Page 3

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The Birth-Rate The birth-rate for England and Wales in 1929 was 16.8 per thousand—the lowest ever recorded. Those who are alarmed may, however, remember that with a stationary population, or one which is nearly so, the unemployment problem may be mitigated. The most serious aspect will be the increasing proportion of age to youth, since the death-rate also is falling, but this is likely to be temporary..