Maybe we could explain it by magical risks, and violence. I wouldn’t be surprised if wizard kill each other more than muggles. With old-fashioned manners, may come old fashioned violence. The last two wars (Grindelwald and Voldemort), were awfully close, and it looks like the next one is coming.
If all times and all countries are the same, with a major conflict every other generation, it could easily explain such a low population.
I wouldn’t be surprised if wizard kill each other more than muggles.
I think this point merits more extensive discussion. A few observations:
Wizards can learn shielding spells fairly freely, whereas the average muggle has no counter to a gun, and little they can do even against melee weapons unless they have sufficient self-defense training.
Underage magical violence is restricted by the Trace—it is considerably harder for magically-powered youth gangs to exist within magical Britain if powerful and merciless authorities (cf. Harry’s treatment during the Dementor incident) are instantly alerted whenever they cast a spell.
While wizard forensics are generally laughable, a simple spell will reveal the last spells cast by a person’s wand, and few people have multiple wands (since the things are apparently horribly expensive, among other reasons). This is a significant deterrent to the use of magic for illegal purposes that are likely to draw attention, such as murder. (I assume that it reveals more than the single most recent spell, since that would make it useless against anyone smart enough to cast a quick breath-freshening charm after their misdemeanours).
The last war at least was allegedly marked by most of the population of magical Britain cowering in their homes while a few brave champions fought on their behalf. The Death Eaters, meanwhile, only numbered fifty or so. That doesn’t sound like it should result in a high casualty level relative to the total magical population.
Wizards are exceptionally resilient, and can survive all manner of injuries that would kill a muggle ten times over (cf. Neville Longbottom). In addition, magical healing is outstanding.
Maybe we could explain it by magical risks, and violence. I wouldn’t be surprised if wizard kill each other more than muggles. With old-fashioned manners, may come old fashioned violence. The last two wars (Grindelwald and Voldemort), were awfully close, and it looks like the next one is coming.
If all times and all countries are the same, with a major conflict every other generation, it could easily explain such a low population.
I think this point merits more extensive discussion. A few observations:
Wizards can learn shielding spells fairly freely, whereas the average muggle has no counter to a gun, and little they can do even against melee weapons unless they have sufficient self-defense training.
Underage magical violence is restricted by the Trace—it is considerably harder for magically-powered youth gangs to exist within magical Britain if powerful and merciless authorities (cf. Harry’s treatment during the Dementor incident) are instantly alerted whenever they cast a spell.
While wizard forensics are generally laughable, a simple spell will reveal the last spells cast by a person’s wand, and few people have multiple wands (since the things are apparently horribly expensive, among other reasons). This is a significant deterrent to the use of magic for illegal purposes that are likely to draw attention, such as murder. (I assume that it reveals more than the single most recent spell, since that would make it useless against anyone smart enough to cast a quick breath-freshening charm after their misdemeanours).
The last war at least was allegedly marked by most of the population of magical Britain cowering in their homes while a few brave champions fought on their behalf. The Death Eaters, meanwhile, only numbered fifty or so. That doesn’t sound like it should result in a high casualty level relative to the total magical population.
Wizards are exceptionally resilient, and can survive all manner of injuries that would kill a muggle ten times over (cf. Neville Longbottom). In addition, magical healing is outstanding.