UK Birth Rates Hit 50-Year Low, Foreign-Born Parents Surge to 40%
Birth rates plunge to 50-year low while foreign-born parents account for record four in ten, official figures show
Mail Online
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Birth rates in the UK fell to their lowest in 50 years, with foreign-born parents accounting for 40% of births in 2025. This trend reflects a significant demographic shift, particularly in urban areas like London, where Brent recorded 84% of births to foreign-born parents.
- 01In 2025, the total number of births was the fourth lowest in 100 years, with 235,273 births (40%) to foreign-born parents.
- 02Brent, a London borough, had the highest proportion of foreign-born parent births at 84%, followed by Slough (79.2%) and Luton (78.1%).
- 03The average age of mothers rose to 31.1 years and fathers to 34 years, reflecting a trend of delayed parenthood.
- 04India remained the most common country of birth for foreign mothers (4.7%) and fathers (4.9%), followed by Pakistan and Nigeria.
- 05The number of births to mothers under 20 decreased by 8.4%, while there was an increase in fathers aged 60-64.
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Official figures reveal that birth rates in the UK have fallen to their lowest level in nearly half a century, with foreign-born parents now accounting for a record 40% of all births in 2025. This marks a significant demographic shift, particularly in urban areas, where over three-quarters of births in some regions were to parents with foreign backgrounds. The borough of Brent in London recorded the highest proportion, with 84% of births involving at least one foreign-born parent. The data also highlights a trend of delayed parenthood, with the average age of mothers increasing to 31.1 years and fathers to 34 years. Notably, the number of births to mothers under 20 has decreased significantly, while there has been a rise in older fathers, particularly those aged 60 to 64. The continuing trend of delayed childbearing has been attributed to financial pressures, including rising living costs and childcare expenses. The stillbirth rate remained stable across England and Wales, indicating consistent health outcomes despite the declining birth rates.
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The decline in birth rates and the increasing average age of parents may affect future population growth and workforce demographics in the UK.
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