Vital Statistics of the Large Cities of Germany for the Third Quarter of 1922
As compared with the second quarter, the number of living births in the large cities of Germany for the third quarter of 1922 showed a considerable diminution, the total having fallen from 75,726 to 67,512, which signifies, on an annual basis, a decrease from 18.5 to 16.4 for each thousand of population. This marked decline in the birth rate, it is thought by some, may be regarded as the reflection of the effect of the first sharp advance in the prices of commodities during the last quarter of 1921; for the duration of the decline, extending over several weeks, as well as its intensity, corresponded to the terrific advance of the American dollar (as determined by the number of marks required to purchase one dollar) during the corresponding months of conception; namely, October and November, 1921.