The fertility rate in England and Wales has fallen for the third consecutive year, reaching a record low of 1.41 in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This is the lowest level since comparable data collection began in 1938. In Scotland, the rate dropped even further to 1.25, the lowest since records started in 1855.
Despite a 0.6% increase in live births last year, the fertility rate declined because the adult population grew faster than the number of births. For a population to remain stable without migration, a fertility rate of about 2.1 is needed. Greg Ceely, head of population health monitoring at the ONS, noted that fertility rates have been in overall decline since 2010.
The average age of mothers and fathers continues to rise, reaching 31 and 33.9 years respectively in 2024. London had the highest average maternal age at 32.5, while the north-east had the lowest at 30. Fertility rates increased for mothers aged 30-39 and for fathers aged 35-39 and over 50, but decreased for all under-30s.
Regional disparities emerged, with the West Midlands and London seeing fertility rate increases, while most other regions recorded declines. Luton had the highest fertility rate at 2.0, and the City of London the lowest at 0.32. Bernice Kuang, a demography researcher at the University of Southampton, suggested the decline may be temporary as people postpone childbearing, noting that the UK still follows a strong two-child norm.
