Women in England and Wales had an average of just 1.44 children between 2022 and 2023, marking the lowest fertility rate on record. A total of 591,072 babies were born in 2023, the fewest since 1977, reflecting a drop of over 14,000 from the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The average age of new parents has risen, with fathers averaging 33.8 years and mothers 30.9 years. Research indicates that millennials, born up to the mid-1990s, are delaying or opting out of parenthood due to financial pressures, uncertainty about readiness, or difficulty in finding the right partner.
Despite a record low in births, the number of women of childbearing age reached an all-time high of 12 million, resulting in the lowest total fertility rate since 1938. Greg Ceely from the ONS noted significant declines in fertility rates among younger age groups, particularly those aged 20-29.
To maintain population levels, a fertility rate of approximately 2.1 children per woman is needed. However, the population of England and Wales continues to grow, largely due to immigration, despite the ongoing decline in fertility rates since the 1970s.
In Scotland, the fertility rate also fell to 1.3, with live births dropping to a record low of 45,935 in 2023. In Wales, there were 27,374 live births, compared to 563,561 in England.
A study from University College London (UCL) revealed that only one in four 32-year-olds in England who desire children are actively pursuing parenthood, often citing financial and work-related pressures. UCL’s Dr. Alina Pelikh highlighted how rising costs of living, housing, and childcare are impacting fertility decisions.
Katie, a 38-year-old from Wolverhampton, expressed her shift in perspective on parenthood, stating she now values her child-free lifestyle for the freedom it provides. She noted societal pressures and taboos still exist around the choice not to have children.
Experts suggest potential government interventions, such as longer paid parental leave and increased childcare funding, to support families. However, Melinda Mills from the University of Oxford cautioned that incentives aimed at increasing birth rates may not be effective.
In terms of birth trends, the most popular date for childbirth in 2023 was September 28, while Boxing Day remained the least common day for births for the 11th consecutive year.