ABSTRACT
An understanding of contemporary and future trends in Britain’s popula tion relies on knowledge of what has happened in the past. The analysis and interpretation of former events help to shed light on the relationship between demographic behaviour and economic and social change. Short term developments need to be viewed in the context of longer-term patterns, with a clear understanding of the factors that have determined the rate and direction of population change. During the past two centuries there have been significant variations in the underlying trend of population change in Britain as a result of changes in mortality and fertility. These changes have had a profound impact on the perception of population issues and have influenced population forecasting and policymaking at different periods in the past.
