UK's fertility rate falling faster than any other G7 nation - with austerity a 'principal factor'
12 October 2024, 14:01 | Updated: 12 October 2024, 14:04
The average number of children born in the UK is falling faster than any other G7 nation since 2010, analysis has revealed.
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The alarming stats, collated by research by thinktank the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP), reveal that the UK birthrate has dropped by 18.8%.
The figure, which is widely referred to as "the fertility rate", was calculated using birth figures from 2010 to the most recent statistics released in 2022.
The data revealed the UK had the biggest proportion fall across the G7 nations during the 12 year period.
Commissioned by Sky News, the data cited "austerity" as a "significant" influence on numbers according to Ben Franklin, interim CEO for the CPP.
According to the thinktank analysis, Italy came just behind the UK boasting the second-largest fall in birth rate, with the United States in third, followed by Canada, France and then Japan.
Bucking the trend, Germany was revealed as having a 13.7% rise where its birth rate was concerned.
Mr Franklin described a falling birthrate as happening "faster" in the UK than in other nations, with "austerity was quite significant here, and more so than in other countries".
Mr Franklin added that in previous decades falls in fertility rates have reflected "more educated, higher income women".
"This fall since 2010, and since austerity has happened, principally affected the poorer parts of the country," he added.
It comes as 2022 figures revealed a significant drop in the number of births across England and Wales, with numbers plummeting to the lowest levels seen in 20 years.
The figures have led to the closure of primary schools across the country due to falling student numbers - most notably in densely populated areas of the country, including London.
