'It's not a nice world to bring children into': Births fall to the lowest level in 50 years
Summary
Birth rates in England and Wales have dropped to their lowest level in 50 years, continuing a decline that began in 2010. People are having fewer children and starting families later, with economic concerns and lifestyle choices influencing these trends.Key Facts
- In 2025, there were 585,000 live births in England and Wales, the lowest number since 1977.
- The average number of children per woman fell from 1.9 in 2010 to just under 1.4 in 2025.
- Women are having their first child at an average age of 29.6 years, about two years older than in 2010.
- Births where at least one parent was born outside the UK increased to 40%, up from 30% in 2010.
- Rising living costs make it harder for some families to afford having more children.
- Some people choose to have fewer or no children due to global uncertainty and lifestyle preferences.
- Experts say this is part of a global trend influenced by economic factors and cultural changes.
- Even countries with family-friendly policies are not seeing increases in birth rates.
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