Fertility in England and Wales at lowest recorded level

[Ohwowza]

Interesting article:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-06-fertility-england-wales-lowest-women.html

It doesn't say whether the data is 'explained' by infertility or choice, but women are certainly having less children, and/or having children later in life, across all education levels; it states previous data has shown a correlation between higher education levels with lower fertility rates.

Interesting, as you say. It's a shame the data can't capture how far this is driven by conscious choice.

There was a sharp drop around when the abortion act was introduced in the late 60s and another drop when the child benefits for more than 2 children was removed (and abortion rates rose) so my gut says its probably at least partially due to conscious choice.

I am a data person though so i dont trust my own gut I want to see the raw data and to get more data 🤣🤣

Generally though there are peaks and troughs which this study has avoided. We are only at a slightly lower birth rate than the early 2000's but then it rose after that and had now fallen again

Echoing the "I'd like to know if it's choice or circumstance" voices.

Also agree on wanting to know if it’s choice vs not. There’s no point in politicians providing tons of extra financial incentives to increase the birth rate if this is being driven in the main by people exercising their right to choose.

Still the majority of women do have children though. It’s hard to unpick the data.

I think the fact that the abortion rate rose significantly from the point of withdrawing child benefit for more than 2 children means potentially a certain amount is circumstance.

But to me the fact that the large large drop happened when the birth control pill and abortion became available in the 1960s means potentially a larger amount is choice.