How did changes in the average age of first marriage affect demographic patterns in Western Europe before 1750?

The adjustment in the average age of first marriage before 1750 had a significant impact on demographic patterns in Western Europe, particularly contributing to an increase in birth rates. When individuals married at a younger age, it typically resulted in a longer period of reproductive capability, allowing for more children over the course of their marriage. Early marriages were often associated with higher fertility rates, as couples had more opportunities to conceive and bear children.

The relationship between marriage age and birth rates can be traced back to cultural and economic factors that shaped marriage patterns. In agrarian societies, marrying young often correlated with traditional expectations and economic needs for larger families to support labor intensive farming.

While other demographic shifts such as urban migration or changes in family structures did occur, the increase in birth rates as a consequence of earlier marriages is a direct reflection of the practices and societal norms at the time, which emphasized larger family sizes for both economic and social reasons. This aligns with historical trends observed in Western Europe leading up to the mid-18th century.