The fertility rate in England and Wales dropped to a record low of 1.41 in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of decline and falling below the replacement level of 2.1.

Similar trends are observed in Scotland, where the fertility rate decreased from 1.27 in 2023 to 1.25 in 2024, with figures for Northern Ireland still pending.

Since 2010, fertility rates in England and Wales have been steadily decreasing, according to the Office for National Statistics.

The average age of mothers increased slightly to 31.0 years, and fathers to 33.9 years in 2024, continuing a long-term trend of delaying parenthood.

Women are having their first children at increasingly older ages, with the average first-time mother now over 29 years old, up from just over 26 in 2000.

The 25-29 age group experienced the largest decline in fertility rates, while fertility increased among women aged 30-39 and men aged 35-39.

Regional disparities show fertility rates rising in areas like the West Midlands and London, with Luton having the highest rate at 2.00 children per woman, and the City of London the lowest at 0.32.

Despite a slight increase in births in 2024 from 591,072 to 594,677, overall fertility rates declined due to population growth, which was driven by migration adding approximately 706,000 people.

The overall fertility rate fell even with a 0.6% rise in live births, a pattern only seen six times since 1938, as population growth offset natural decline.

Fertility rates among older fathers over 50 and 60 have increased, while rates for men in their 40s have slightly declined.

Financial pressures are a primary reason many adults delay having children, with economic concerns influencing fertility decisions.

Population decline has prompted government and political debates over policies like immigration caps and family benefits to address demographic challenges.

Politicians and officials, including the education secretary, have expressed concern about the declining birthrate and its potential impact on the workforce and pension systems, advocating for policies to make childbirth easier for women.