Birth rate in England, Wales falls to record low, data shows

LONDON

The birth rate in England and Wales has dropped to a new record low, with the fertility rate falling to 1.41 children per woman in 2024, down from 1.42 in 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) on Wednesday.

The figure is the lowest for the third year in a row and the lowest since records began about 90 years ago.

Scotland’s birth rate has also fallen sharply with the number of births dropping to the lowest in almost 170 years in 2024, with the total fertility rate at 1.25, also the lowest on record.

Birth rates, or the number of children born per woman of reproductive age, are falling in most countries as a result of a mix of societal and economic factors. These trends have led many to delay parenthood, have smaller families or not have children at all.

Current birth rates in England, Wales and Scotland remain well below the 2.1 children per woman needed to maintain a stable population in developed countries without migration.

The ONS data also showed that the average age of mothers at childbirth in England and Wales rose to 31 in 2024, up from 30.9 in 2023 and 29 two decades ago.

The average age of fathers increased to 33.9, up from 33.8 in 2023 and 32.1 in 2004.