UK Birth Rate Statistics 2026 — 1.49 Fertility Rate
The UK birth rate is 1.49 children per woman in 2026 (total fertility rate). Approximately 605,000 babies are born in the UK each year — one every 52 seconds. Live ONS birth statistics.
The UK total fertility rate (TFR) fell to a record low of 1.49 children per woman in 2023, according to the ONS.
The UK birth rate has been below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman since the 1970s, contributing to an ageing population.
England and Wales recorded 591,072 live births in 2023 — the lowest annual figure since the early 1980s.
About These Statistics
Approximately 605,000 babies are born in the UK each year, according to ONS Birth Statistics and National Records of Scotland. This equates to approximately 1,658 births per day — one every 52 seconds. The UK birth rate has been declining for over a decade, falling from a post-recession high of approximately 813,000 births in 2012 to current levels.
The UK total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children a woman is expected to have over her lifetime — stands at approximately 1.49, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 required to maintain population size without net immigration. This is the lowest fertility rate on record in the UK, reflecting trends seen across most developed economies.
The average age of mothers at first birth has been rising steadily and now stands at approximately 29.1 years in England and Wales. Women are increasingly delaying childbearing due to factors including educational and career priorities, housing costs, relationship patterns and economic uncertainty. The proportion of births to women aged 35 and over has increased substantially over recent decades.
Birth rates vary significantly across the UK. London has the highest birth rate, reflecting its younger age profile and higher proportion of women from countries with higher fertility rates. Rural areas and those with older age profiles tend to have lower birth rates. Deprivation is also associated with higher birth rates in some areas.
The long-term decline in births has significant implications for the UK's demographic structure, public finances and labour market. Without sustained net immigration, the working-age population will shrink relative to the dependent population (children and retired people), increasing pressure on public services and the state pension system.
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Based on official UK government data
What is the UK birth rate in 2026?
The UK total fertility rate (TFR) fell to a record low of 1.49 children per woman in 2023, according to the ONS — well below the replacement rate of 2.1. England and Wales recorded 591,072 live births in 2023, the lowest since the early 1980s.
Why is the UK birth rate falling?
UK birth rates have been declining since 2012, driven by rising living costs, housing unaffordability, women having children later in life, and changing societal attitudes. The average age of a first-time mother in England and Wales is now over 30.
How many babies are born in the UK each year?
Approximately 605,000 babies are born in the UK each year according to ONS Birth Statistics — approximately 1,658 per day or one every 52 seconds. The birth rate has been declining since a peak of approximately 813,000 births in 2012. The UK total fertility rate of approximately 1.49 is the lowest on record and well below the replacement rate of 2.1.
What is the UK birth rate per 1,000 population?
The UK crude birth rate is approximately 9 births per 1,000 population per year, down from approximately 13 per 1,000 in the early 1990s. The total fertility rate (average children per woman) stands at approximately 1.49 — the lowest recorded in UK history and below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to maintain population size without immigration.
Why is the UK birth rate falling?
The UK birth rate is falling due to multiple factors: women delaying childbearing (average age at first birth is now 29.1); rising housing costs and economic uncertainty making family formation harder; changing social norms and career priorities; and declining fertility across developed economies generally. The total fertility rate of 1.49 is consistent with trends in Germany, Italy, Spain and other European countries.