United Kingdom
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
The the UK's total maternal rate has continued its decline, reaching 63.9% in 2024, down 0.7 percentage points from 2023 and notably lower than the 2010s average. Meanwhile, the crude pregnancy rate has inched up slightly, continuing a recent upward trend, reflecting an increase in pregnancies overall despite falling fertility rates.
- The mean age at childbearing remains steady at 29.4 years in 2024, maintaining a rise compared to a decade ago.
- Family size patterns show a growing share of one-child mothers, now at 21.6%, up significantly over five years and above 2010s levels.
- The share of two-child mothers continues to fall, standing at 47.5%, below the 2010s average.
- Three-or-more-child mothers have slightly declined, now at 30.9%.
In 2024, the United Kingdom experiences a continued decline in birth rates and an aging maternal profile compared to the 2010s.
- Total maternal rate dropping, ranking 18th out of 38 countries globally
- Average children per mother easing, at 2.19, ranked 24th globally
- Mean age at childbearing increasing to 29.4 years, ranked 27th globally
- Shorter timeline to birth milestones, with births projected to fall by half by 2080
- Lowest Birthgap Retirement Indicator globally, indicating demographic aging pressures
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) in the UK stands at 63.9%, showing a small decrease of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, the TMR has trended downward, averaging 65.8%. When compared to the 2010s average of 71.0%, this represents a decline of approximately 7.1 percentage points. Among 38 countries globally, the UK ranks 18th in this measure.
No data found for country code gb.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, the average number of children per mother in the UK stands at 2.19, showing a slight decrease of 0.02 from the previous year. Over the past five years, this figure has steadily declined, with the average falling to 2.24. When compared to the 2010s average of 2.43, the current level is lower by approximately 0.24. Among 38 countries globally, the UK holds the 24th position in this measure.
No data found for country code gb.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in the the UK is 29.4 years in 2024, remaining almost the same as the year before. During the last five years, this average has gradually increased, reaching 29.3 years. Compared to the 2010s, the current average is 0.7 years older. When looking at a global scale, 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)
In 2024, the the UK's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 32.4%, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.40. This marks a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the most recent five-year period from 2020 to 2024, the Total Cohort Rate (TCR) has been on the rise, averaging 28.9%. When compared to the 2010s average of 16.7%, the current figure is approximately 15.7 percentage points higher. On the global stage, the 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 decline significantly over the coming centuries. By 2080, births are expected to decrease by 50%, dropping from 659,856 to 329,928. This downward trend continues, with births falling by 75% by 2135, and reaching a 90% reduction to 65,986 by 2209, assuming migration does not influence these numbers.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in the the UK reached 36.1% in 2024, showing a modest increase of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. During the five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the TCR has been on an upward trend, averaging 34.2%. This is noticeably higher compared to the 2010s average of 29.0%, marking an increase of approximately 7.1 percentage points. On the global stage, the UK holds the 21st position 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 recent uptick, the overall trend in the last five years has been downward, with an average of 673,048 births annually. When looking back to the 2010s, the number has significantly declined by 97,826 births, representing a 12.9% drop from the average of 757,682 during that decade.
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, showing a slight increase of 1.5 percentage points from 2018. Over the course of the past five years, the BRI has trended upward, averaging 19.9% between 2015 and 2019. When compared to the average during the 2010s, which was 18.6%, the current BRI is approximately 4.4 percentage points higher. Among 35 countries worldwide, the the UK holds the lowest BRI value, ranking 35th.
No data found for country code gb.
