French lack of cities and mediocre industrialization rates do not explain their pathetic population growth. Russia was far more rural and backward, and it grew the fastest. Actually, French population growth rates lagged behind these of other European countries even before 1800. From about 1600 to 1950, France was the slowest growing of any European country. For example, in 1600 it had a population of 19 million, while England had only 3. By 1800, English population had grown to 9 million (plus a few million in US), while the French only reached 27. (300% vs 50% growth). I actually believe that the lack of population more than anything else led to French decline. Think about it, if its population growth from 1600 on would match that of England, EVEN while disregarding millions of Englishmen emigrating to US, Canada, Australia, etc. – it would have over 250 million people right now – almost the population of US. Pretty weird.
