Social Organization

Abstract

Britain’s population doubled twice in the course of the nineteenth century. This impressive, even overwhelming growth was achieved in spite of vast outward migration overseas and the almost halving of Ireland’s population. England and Wales more than doubled between 1837 and 1901. Scotland grew by 80 percent, while Ireland fell from 8,000,000 to 4,500,000. There was no decline in infant mortality, the rate being about the same in 1841 and 1901, nor did the death rate change significantly among those over sixty-five. But the death rate did drop steadily during the last third of the century. Fewer people died during their most productive years.