Impacts of birthrate decline

Abstract

In 2023, the total fertility rate in England and Wales was 1.44 children per
woman, the lowest on record. Because of declining fertility rates, and other
factors such as people living longer, the UK has an ageing population.
• Population changes can affect the number of people requiring services, and
the number of people available to provide services, including in health and
social care. They can also affect the number of younger and older people in
the workforce.
• Workforce changes may affect the economy, businesses and individual
workers. Wider potential implications of birthrate decline may include effects
on living standards, the provision of informal care, and the environment.
• Some commentators suggest immigration can contribute to short-term
increases in the total fertility rate. Some contend migration alone is not likely
to play a significant role in alleviating pressures of an ageing population.
• The global fertility rate has been declining almost continuously over the past
50 years. Some countries have implemented policies to improve family/work
balance, which may support having and raising children. Evidence on the
effectiveness of policies which seek to raise fertility is limited and contested.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Jane Falkingham: orcid.org/0000-0002-7135-5875

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