The exact figures for England and Wales[235:2] during the past five and a half years are as follows:
| Year | Total Births | Legitimate | Illegitimate | Illegitimate Percentage Total |
| 1913 | 881,890 | 848,981 | 37,909 | 4.29 |
| 1914 | 879,096 | 841,767 | 37,329 | 4.24 |
| 1915 | 814,614 | 778,369 | 36,245 | 4.44 |
| 1916 | 785,520 | 747,831 | 37,689 | 4.79 |
| 1917 | 668,346 | 631,336 | 37,010 | 5.54 |
| 1918[235:3] | 332,547 | 312,587 | 19,960 | 6.00 |
It should be noted that in England still-born births are not registered; were these recorded the illegitimate birth-rate would be much higher than the present statistics show. In those countries where the records are kept the number of still-born illegitimate births is always very high, sometimes twice as high—as it is for children born under the protection of marriage.
2. Deaths.
An unusually high infant mortality is found everywhere among illegitimate children. In general, the illegitimate rate is twice as great as the legitimate. Two unprotected children die for each protected child.
| All infants under 1 year. | Legitimate. | Illegitimate. | |
| 1912 | 95 | 91 | 121 |
| 1913 | 106 | 104 | 213 |
| 1914 | 105 | 100 | 207 |
| 1915 | 190 | 105 | 203 |
| 1916 | 91 | 87 | 183 |
The mortality of unmarried mothers is proportionately great.
"The ratio of illegitimate to legitimate mortality in the first week of life has increased from 170 per cent. in 1907 to 201 per cent. in 1916. These facts have a somewhat ominous aspect and suggest that infant welfare organizations might well devote special attention to the first days of the life of illegitimate children."—(Report of the Registrar-General for 1916.)
The Law of Affiliation and Bastardy. (Brief Summary of the Law in England and Wales.)