The fertility rates – which means the number of children born per woman – for both England and Wales and for Scotland have fallen to historic lows.
In 2024, the total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.41 children per woman for England and Wales compared to 1.42 in 2023.
Scotland’s total fertility rate fell to 1.25, down from 1.27 in 2023.
A figure of 2.1 is needed for a population to naturally sustain itself.
Last year, Ireland’s was 1.50.
