Liberalism is bad for your birth rate
By Grok
Yes, the French birth rate did decline after the French Revolution (1789–1799). Here’s a concise overview based on available evidence:
Data on Decline: The crude birth rate in France was 29.4 live births per thousand people in 1800, dropping to 21.9 by 1850, a significant decrease. The total fertility rate (average number of children per woman) also fell, from an estimated 6–7 in 1800 to about 4 by 1840, and further to around 3 by 1900.
Reasons for the Decline:
Cultural and Social Changes: The French Revolution brought a rise in secularism and individualism, reducing the influence of the Catholic Church, which traditionally encouraged large families. Secular attitudes, evident in changes like fewer religious references in wills, correlated with lower fertility rates.
Inheritance Laws: The Napoleonic Code (post-Revolution) mandated equal division of estates among heirs, incentivizing smaller families among peasants to avoid fragmenting landholdings.
Economic and Demographic Shifts: The Revolution and Napoleonic Wars (1792–1815) caused significant male casualties (estimates of 1.4 million deaths), skewing the male-female ratio and reducing marriage rates temporarily. Additionally, rising life expectancy and lower child mortality reduced the need for large families.
Contraception and Marriage Patterns: Couples used methods like coitus interruptus and delayed marriage to limit births. The average age of marriage increased, and the proportion of unmarried individuals rose, further lowering fertility.
Internal Migration: The spread of cultural norms through migration within France contributed to converging fertility rates across regions, with urban areas adopting lower birth rates earlier.
Context and Comparison: France’s fertility decline was unique, starting earlier (mid-18th century) than in other European countries, where declines typically followed the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century. By 1840, French fertility was about 66% of its 1800 level, while countries like Germany and Britain saw stronger population growth.
Counterarguments and Notes: Some argue the decline began before the Revolution, linked to pre-existing secular trends or economic pressures in the 17th century. Others note that economic prosperity during the Second Empire (1850s–1870s) temporarily slowed the decline. However, the post-Revolution period marked a clear acceleration in the fertility drop.