'It's not a nice world to bring children into': Births fall to the lowest level in 50 years

Births in England and Wales have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 50 years, with 585,000 live births recorded in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive annual decline. The total fertility rate dropped to just under 1.4 children per woman, down from 1.9 in 2010, while the average age of first-time mothers rose to 29.6 years. This trend reflects a growing reluctance among individuals and couples to have children amid economic pressures and global uncertainties. The decline in birth rates is influenced by several factors, including shifting societal attitudes and financial constraints. Many people, like Stacey Waring, a 40-year-old nurse from Nottingham, cite concerns about the world’s future and the challenges of parenting in modern times as reasons for choosing to remain child-free or have fewer children. Waring highlights the increased freedom and lifestyle flexibility that comes without children, contrasting it with the childhood experiences of previous generations. Meanwhile, women are delaying childbirth, contributing to the overall reduction in fertility rates. Economic pressures also play a significant role in family planning decisions. Georgina Tuffour, a 35-year-old trainee nurse and mother of three, expresses the difficulty of affording extracurricular activities for her children amid rising living costs, which discourages her from expanding her family. The financial strain on families underscores the broader challenges faced by many in balancing child-rearing with economic realities. Additionally, the proportion of births where at least one parent was born outside the UK has increased to 40%, up from 30% in 2010, reflecting demographic changes in the population. The sustained decline in births has implications for future population growth, workforce size, and social services, raising concerns about the long-term economic and social impacts of a shrinking younger generation.