United Kingdom
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the the UK experienced a modest decline in fertility with the total maternal rate decreasing to 63.9%, continuing a downward trend over the past five years. Concurrently, the total fertility gap widened to 32.4%, reflecting a growing shortfall in birth rates relative to replacement level. Childlessness rates also inched higher, reaching 36.1%, consistent with longer-term increases seen throughout the 2020s.
- Average number of children per mother fell slightly to 2.19, maintaining a gradual decline observed since 2020.
- Mean age at childbearing remained stable around 29.4 years, near long-term averages for the decade.
- The proportion of mothers with only one child rose to 21.6%, while two-child families decreased, indicating shifting family size preferences.
- With 659,856 births recorded in 2024, the UK's fertility patterns reflect sustained demographic pressures contributing to population aging.
In 2024, the United Kingdom shows a modest decline in fertility and slight rises in childlessness, reflecting ongoing demographic shifts.
- Total maternal rate at 63.9%, ranking 19th of 39 globally
- Average children per mother near 2.19, ranked 15th internationally
- Mean maternal age steady at 29.4 years, ranked 28th globally
- Lifetime childlessness rate increased to 36.1%, positioned 22nd of 39
- Societal half-life fell sharply to 55.7 years, ranked 18th worldwide
Key fertility indicators — The The United Kingdom
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.9% |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 32.4% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 31 |
| Total births (latest year) | 659,856 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The UK’s total maternal rate (TMR) is 63.9% in 2024. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.7pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 65.8%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (65.8%), completed fertility today is lower by about 1.9pp.
Globally, the UK ranks 20 out of 42 countries for TMR.
No data found for country code gb.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in the UK is 2.22 (2024). There has been a modest decline since 2023 (down 0.04). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been falling (five-year average 2.25). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.25), mothers in the UK are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, the UK ranks 16 out of 42 countries for CPM.
No data found for country code gb.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The UK’s mean age at childbearing is 29.4 in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Looking at the last five years, AMA has been rising (average 29.3 years). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (29.3 years), the average maternal age today is close to that long-run level.
Globally, the UK ranks 29 out of 42 countries for average maternal age.
No data found for country code gb.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
The UK’s Total Fertility Gap (TFG) is 32.4% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.40). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.5pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), the Total Fertility Gap has been rising with an average of 28.9%. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (28.9%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 3.5pp.
Globally, the UK ranks 24 out of 42 countries for TFG.
No data found for country code gb.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The UK: Future Worker Gap (FWG) data not available.
No data found for country code gb.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in the UK is 55.7 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.0 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 64.1 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (64.1 years), the societal half-life today is lower by about 8.4 years.
Globally, the UK ranks 21 out of 42 countries for SHL.
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 20 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2080 - Births down 75% in 2135 - Births down 90% in 2209
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 659,856 in 2024 to 329,928 in 2080, and by 90% to 65,986 in 2209 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The UK’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 36.1% in 2024. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.7pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 34.2%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 34.2%), the rate today stands higher by about 1.9pp.
Globally, the UK ranks 24 out of 42 countries for childlessness.
No data found for country code gb.
Total births
In 2024, the UK recorded 659,856 total births. It is up from 2023 by 2,887 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 673,048 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (673,048), total births are now lower by 13,192 births.
No data found for country code gb.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The UK: Future Worker Gap (FWG) data not available.
No data found for country code gb.
