United Kingdom
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the the UK continues to see declining fertility trends with the total maternal rate falling to 63.9%, marking a notable decrease of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. This decline extends a long-term trend since the 2010s. Meanwhile, the timing of childbearing remains steady with a mean age around 29.4 years, reflecting a gradual shift towards older parenthood over the past decade.
- The total childbearing rate (TCR) in the UK increased slightly to 36.1% in 2024, continuing a modest upward trend over recent years.
- Average children per mother (CPM) decreased slightly to 2.19, remaining below the 2010s level of 2.43, indicating smaller family sizes becoming the norm.
- Family size distribution shows a rise in one-child mothers to 21.6%, up 3.9 percentage points since 2021, juxtaposed with a decline in two-child families and a slight drop in three or more children, highlighting shifting…
In 2024, the United Kingdom shows a slight decline in fertility with a total maternal rate (TMR) below the global average and a continuing rise in maternal age.
- TMR at 63.9%, ranking 18th out of 38 countries globally
- Children per mother (2.19) declining, ranked 24th globally
- Mean maternal age (29.4 years) rising, ranked 27th
- Total fertility gap (TFG) at 32.4%, up notably from the 2010s
- Births projected to halve by 2080, 90% decline by 2209
Key fertility indicators — The The United Kingdom
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.9% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.1% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 31 |
| Total births (latest year) | 659,856 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) for the the UK stands at 63.9%, marking a slight decrease of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. Over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the TMR has been declining, averaging 65.8%. This figure is approximately 7.1 percentage points lower than the average during the 2010s, which was 71.0%. On the global stage, the the UK holds the 18th position out of 38 countries in terms of motherhood prevalence.
No data found for country code gb.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the average number of children per mother in the the UK stands at 2.19, reflecting a slight decrease of 0.02 from 2023. This metric has been on a gradual decline over the past five years, with an average of 2.24 during that period. When compared to the 2010s, where the norm was 2.43, the current figure is approximately 0.24 lower. On the global scale, the the UK holds the 24th position among 38 countries in this measure.
No data found for country code gb.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age at childbirth in the the UK stands at 29.4 years in 2024, showing little change from the year before. Over the last five years, there has been an upward trend, with the average maternal age reaching 29.3 years during this period. This figure is 0.7 years above the average observed in the 2010s. On the global stage, the the UK holds the 27th position out of 38 countries in terms of average maternal age.
No data found for country code gb.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The the UK's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 32.4% in 2024, which corresponds to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.40. This marks a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has shown an upward trend, averaging 28.9%. When compared to the 2010s average of 16.7%, the current figure is higher by roughly 15.7 percentage points. On the global stage, the UK holds the 23rd position out of 38 countries.
No data found for country code gb.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
The UK’s SHL stands at 55.7 years years in 2024. It has decreased by 3.0 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 64.1 years. Compared with the 2010s average (122.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 67.2 years.
Globally, the UK ranks 17 out of 38 countries.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in the UK, there would be 31 great-grandchildren, representing a -69.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, the UK ranks 23 out of 38 countries.
Birth trajectory
Starting from the 2024 birth figures, total births are projected to decrease significantly over the coming centuries. By 2080, the number of births is expected to drop by 50%, falling from 659,856 to 329,928. This downward trend continues, with births declining by 75% by 2135. Eventually, by 2209, births could be reduced by 90%, reaching just 65,986. These projections do not take migration into account.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in the UK stands at 36.1% in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. Over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has shown an upward trend, averaging 34.2%. This current figure is notably higher than the 2010s average of 29.0%, reflecting a rise of about 7.1 percentage points. On a global scale, the UK ranks 21st out of 38 countries in terms of this metric.
No data found for country code gb.
Total births
The the UK saw 659,856 total births in 2024, marking an increase of 2,887 from the previous year. Despite this slight rise, the average annual number of births over the last five years has declined to 673,048. This is notably lower than the 2010s average of 757,682 births, reflecting a 12.9% decrease equivalent to 97,826 fewer births.
No data found for country code gb.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for the the UK stood at 23.0% in 2019, marking a modest increase of 1.5 percentage points from the previous year. Over the five-year span from 2015 to 2019, the BRI has shown an upward trend, averaging 19.9%. Compared to the average level noted in the 2010s, which was 18.6%, the current figure is approximately 4.4 percentage points higher. Among 35 countries globally, the UK ranks at the bottom with the lowest BRI value.
No data found for country code gb.
