The provisional total fertility rate for 2025 in England and Wales was estimated at 1.39, down from 1.41 in 2024. A total fertility rate of about 2.1 is typically needed to maintain population stability over time without migration. Live births in 2025 totaled 585,396, falling from 594,677 in 2024 and reaching the lowest level since 1977. More than a third of births were to mothers born outside the UK, continuing recent patterns. The average age of mothers rose to 31.1 in 2025 from 31.0 in 2024, and the average age of fathers increased to 34.0 from 33.9. Final fertility rates are expected later this year.
"The provisional total fertility rate, which measures the average number of live children women are expected to have during their childbearing years, was estimated at 1.39 for 2025. This marks a further decline from the 1.41 children per woman recorded in 2024. For a nation's population to maintain stability over time excluding any impact from migration a total fertility rate of approximately 2.1 is typically required. The latest provisional figures are based on the 2025 projected population, and final rates are expected to be released later this year."
"The data, published on Wednesday, showed there were 585,396 live births in England and Wales last year. This was a fall from 594,677 in 2024 and is the the lowest number since 1977 when there were 569,259 live births. Greg Ceely, head of population health monitoring at the ONS, said: In 2025 the number of babies born fell to the lowest level in almost half a century and continues the long-term trend of falling births going back over the past decade."
"More than a third of births are to mothers born outside the UK which again continues recent trends. The average age of parents increased slightly year-on-year, the data showed. Mothers had a provisional standardised mean age of 31.1 in 2025, up from 31.0 in 2024. Fathers had an average age of 34.0 last year, a rise from 33.9. Parents have been getting older since 1975, when mothers"
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