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Original poster

UK fertility rate drops by 18.8% in 12 years

482 replies

MidnightPatrol · 13/10/2024 20:35

The UK has the fastest falling fertility rate in the G7.

2022 saw the lowest number of births for 20 years.

The current TFR is 1.49 births per woman.

What do you think the reason for this is, and what could be done to reverse the trend?

news.sky.com/story/amp/britains-fertility-rate-falling-faster-than-any-other-g7-country-with-austerity-thought-to-be-a-principal-factor-13232314

OP posts:
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9
Zilla1 · 18/10/2024 13:55

HNRTT but in addition to the housing costs and as part of the cost of living, the financial impact of student loans and the lifestyle timeline impact of higher education and the arm's race of higher degrees leading to the delayed start of careers. Career instability and short term contracts in many professions will not help.

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 18/10/2024 14:05

Waboofoo · 18/10/2024 13:23

I was replying to the previous poster who said “Let's be honest why would anyone have kids now? I think it's positive woman are waking up to the motherhood myth.” I was explaining why women choose to become mothers as the poster was suggesting it was irrational.

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I know you were replying to them. You quoted the post. You still used the general "you" instead of "I."

Pusheen467 · 18/10/2024 14:10

Waboofoo · 18/10/2024 10:27

Because it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do in life. Relationships are a source of great happiness for humans and the bond between mother and child is one of the strongest you can experience (not everyone obviously).

I don’t regret becoming a mother and it’s not been that difficult for me as a full time working mum. The only thing stopping me having more is money as I want my kids to have their own bedroom and I can’t afford to buy a bigger house.

I did not have a maternal urge until my kids were born … in fact it took a while to develop after the birth

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I don't find it rewarding. I love my DD and I'd die for her but parenting is just an endless list of extra chores and worrying about another person.

BruFord · 18/10/2024 14:16

@Pusheen467 Hang in there, it does get easier. Their childhood honestly does go by quickly and before you know it, they’re a young adult like my DD (19). I worry far less now as she’s at university getting on with her life and doing all sorts of exciting things.

SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun · 18/10/2024 15:11

Families will feel poorer from now on, says IMF boss

I don't think fertility rates will go anywhere but further down.

Personally I enjoyed parenting - even the lean hard years - but know not everyone does and frankly since we've had our it's got nothing but harder financially.

MSN

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/families-will-feel-poorer-from-now-on-says-imf-boss/ar-AA1ss8HM

itwasnevermine · 18/10/2024 15:12

Pregnancy is hard on your body. Kids cost a fortune. Schools are worse than ever and everything is more expensive. Why would I want to have a child?

EasternStandard · 18/10/2024 15:16

SmileyHappyPeopleInTheSun · 18/10/2024 12:03

Can't find a detailed one like England and Wales

https://landgeist.com/2022/02/18/fertility-rate-in-europe/

Best I could find was this for whole of Europe with some variation in Scotland from 2022.

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Interesting. I wonder why it’s low for the yellow countries

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