In this study cervical cancer mortality figures for the period 1936–1985 were evaluated. Trends in age-specific rates were analysed by separating the variations attributable to age at death, period of birth and period of death. Cervical cancer mortality has been decreasing since 1960 and this decline has become more rapid since about 1975. Organized screening, which began in 1976 could be responsible for the acceleration in the decline, but since the decline was already evident before screening was started, other factors must play a role. It seemed likely that a fall in incidence or an improvement in early diagnosis were responsible for the decline. Cohort analysis showed an increased risk for younger age groups but since the observations were derived from few five-year age-specific mortality rates no firm conclusions about future trends can be made.