Signal Fertility fell to a record low 1.58 in 2020, 1.61 in 2021

Summary

The report lists falling fertility as one of four components of the UK's demographic shift, contrasting today's smaller families with the high birth rates of the post-war era. In 2020 the total fertility rate dropped to 1.58 children per woman, the lowest level since data collection started in 1938. The rate recovered only slightly in 2021, reaching 1.61. Because the post-war generation is now reaching retirement age, lower fertility speeds up population ageing. The report argues that despite rising migration, low fertility and longer life expectancy have aged the population, and a higher dependency ratio could reduce productivity or require higher taxes and public spending.