Births in England and Wales have plummeted to their lowest level in nearly half a century, marking a significant shift in societal attitudes towards family planning. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of live births fell to 585,000 in 2025, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous year. This decline continues a trend that started in 2010 and reflects a broader global issue, where more people are choosing to have either no children or fewer children.
Stacey Waring, a 40-year-old nurse from Nottingham, captures the sentiment of many when she states, “It’s just not a very nice world to bring people into, and why would I consciously do that when I can choose not to?” Her perspective resonates with a growing number of individuals who are reevaluating the concept of family in the current climate of global uncertainty. She reflects on her own childhood, stating, “If I think of the childhood that I had, I was one of the last generations to grow up playing outside without a mobile phone, and it’s very different now.” Waring appreciates the freedom to choose whether to start a family, noting, “If I’d had children, I’d have had to reduce my hours at work.”
The shift towards fewer births is also highlighted by the increasing age at which women are having their first child, now averaging 29.6 years old—about two years older than a decade ago. The estimated number of children born per woman has fallen to just under 1.4 for England and Wales, down from 1.9 in 2010. Meanwhile, births where at least one parent was born outside of the UK have risen substantially, now accounting for 40% of total births, compared to 30% in the same timeframe.
For many, like Georgina Tuffour, 35, the decision to limit family size is heavily influenced by the rising cost of living. Tuffour, a trainee nurse, and her Uber driver husband already have three children, aged 10, eight, and six. The financial strain of raising children is palpable for her: “My daughter wants to register for everything at school, my son loves to play the drums and that costs £50 a month,” she laments. “I’ve had to say to them that I cannot afford to sign all of them up and that breaks my heart, so imagine having another?”
Dr. Paula Sheppard, an anthropologist at the University of Oxford, adds depth to this discussion by emphasizing the socio-economic factors at play. She explains that people are waiting longer to have children because they want to have their lives more settled first—better jobs, salaries, and living conditions. “They’re waiting for a better job, better salary, better house, better neighbourhood, and it takes longer to get those things in the current climate,” she says. The rising costs of essentials like food and clothing further complicate the desire for larger families.
Interestingly, this trend isn’t confined to the UK or Europe; it’s a global phenomenon. Even in countries with robust family-friendly policies, like those in the Nordics, birth rates have not seen significant increases. Dr. Sheppard notes that this reflects a broader cultural shift towards “investing in fewer children rather than having lots of children with fewer things.” This cultural landscape can create a self-perpetuating cycle, as fewer babies born can lead to fewer babies being considered in the future. “If you grow up in a society not seeing lots of babies, then it becomes harder for you to have babies [yourself],” she argues.
As the debate continues on how to support families and encourage higher birth rates, many are left wondering what the future will hold. With ongoing discussions about childcare and financial aid for families, the question remains: how will society adapt to these changing dynamics in family planning?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber