In the period following the last war a large acceleration has occurred in the rate of decline of the death-rates of the younger age groups. The oldest age groups have not shared in this improvement. This course of the death-rates is in striking contrast to the predictions of two decades ago when it was thought that any substantial improvement in the age specific rates was most likely to occur at the older ages. A large part of the fall at younger ages has been due to the decrease in mortality from infectious diseases and tuberculosis. The death-rates at ages 5–24 are now probably almost at a minimum and if a further appreciable improvement is to be made in them the death-rate from violence must be reduced. Violent deaths account for roughly one-third of all deaths in this age range.