In 4 years, 2029, UK deaths will exceed births!

[TheMintCritic]

Just came across this and thought it was wild… according to the ONS, by 2029 the number of deaths in the UK is expected to outnumber the number of births for the first time in decades.

• Our fertility rate is only about 1.5 kids per woman, well below replacement.
• Meanwhile, the population is ageing — all those baby boomers are moving into their 70s and 80s.
• The result? The natural population growth turns negative, meaning any population increase will rely entirely on immigration.

It’s crazy to think that in just 4 years, births won’t even keep up with deaths. Makes you wonder what that’ll mean for schools, NHS, pensions, and housing.

Same as many other countries, South Korea I believe birth rate has plummeted.
Sad and yet elderly care seems to be an afterthought.

We all saw that coming though. It’s not really sudden. Society needs migrants and babies, sadly doesn’t seem to support either :)

I don’t think that’s a shock, we’ve been heading that way for a while. People have fewer kids now..

How are people meant to have kids when they can't afford the childcare fees? Nurseries are always referred to as education, yet the state doesn't cover this like primary, secondary school and college? Women naturally want to go part time, but this means their career is plummeted plus wages not matching fees and keeping up. Which means they'll take time away from work which is not great for women e.g. power in relationship. Young people can't afford to buy a house. Things need to change otherwise birth rates will continue to drop.

Already happened in Scotland - population is still rising due to net immigration. Society has not yet collapsed (at least not in my naice park of the central belt, some bits of Glasgow & Dundee have looked post-apocalyptic for years)

I mean you can’t just always have more births than deaths year on year. It’s unsustainable.

You need equal but life’s got to expensive and shit so people don’t want to add to their expenses.

It’s a blip that will suck at a point and will then rebalance when life actually gets better again and then people want to have more Children.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing that people are having fewer kids. Boomers had too many kids and buggered things up for us all. It’s just a shame the reason seems to be financial. It should not be so expensive to have children. Bog standard houses shouldn’t be in the 7 figures. There has to be a happy medium.

Good! When competition for houses drops the prices will drop and they will become more affordable rebalancing the market. This is a good thing for the housing crisis! Less kids per class can only be a good thing, teachers are currently overwhelmed. The population forever growing is unsustainable we can't just grow forever. Where will everyone live and what will they eat?

Immigration is going to keep the population growing anyway so need to worry about the country being empty.

What's your AIBU OP?

Plus given the latest research updating the possibility of the AMOC shutting down leading to frigid winters and boiling summers surely population decrease is for the best.

Good. I can’t say I’m surprised or I’m sorry about it. If my children chose not to have their own, I wouldn’t blame them.

We are decent earners and still struggle. We fully expect multi generational living within the next two decades.

The cost of living is atrocious. Generally, people are pretty unkind and unpleasant. It’s not a good place to live at all.

I’m shocked tbh, I thought it would’ve been a hundred years down the line. In my area there are no properties, no council homes. Schools still have waiting lists.

We shouldn’t have to wait for people to die for there to be an ease up in services.

Good?

Post-apocalyptic?! Thank god you’re not given to hyperbole.

I mean what do you expect? Everything’s too expensive for families to flourish.

This is why they are legalising assisted suicide.

Once you are no longer able to look after yourself you will be expected to die. That’s my black pill

Schools in London are already closing & merging.

The ageing population is one reason our economy is fucked, no planning for it.

Sad and yet elderly care seems to be an afterthought.

Err where do you think the money comes from to fund it?

Things need to change otherwise birth rates will continue to drop.

No country has ever reversed birth rates once they drop below replacement level

Good! When competition for houses drops the prices will drop and they will become more affordable rebalancing the market. This is a good thing for the housing crisis!

Way too simplistic.

Theres no way the country can fund the state pension & free NHS in its current form with the changing demographics

Less kids per class can only be a good thing, teachers are currently overwhelmed.

No because funding is based on head count.

Birth rates in SK have actually risen slightly in the past year, but are still way below replacement level.

In most of the 'developed' world, birth rates have fallen with no sign of any rise. Births in Spain and Italy are at a really low level, and the same is true in Eastern Europe. Even in Asian and Middle Eastern countries known for high fertility levels, birth rates are falling rapidly. The one exception is Africa, but even there population levels will soon peak and then fall. It's pretty much a universal trend.

The population forever growing is unsustainable we can't just grow forever. Where will everyone live and what will they eat?

Who is talking about forever growth?

A shrinking but older population is completely unaffordable.

I don’t have an issue with a lower population and it’s not just Britain, it’s everywhere in the developed world. However, those presenting this rather simplistically as “good” are misguided. It presents a whole raft of challenges that we aren’t adequately prepared for.

This is why they are legalising assisted suicide.

But dignity in death is rather expensive

I’ve got 2 preschoolers and I’m crippled with the childcare fees. With all the funded hours kicking in on Monday, I still have to pay £750 per month for them to get 3 days per week in nursery. Crazy.