Birth rate and fertility: England and Wales
There were 594,677 live births in England and Wales in 2024, up 0.6 percent on 2023, according to the Office for National Statistics. Despite more births, the total fertility rate fell to 1.41 children per woman, down from 1.42 in 2023 and the lowest on record for the third year in a row, because the adult population grew faster than the number of births. England recorded 567,708 births and Wales 26,832.
Births and fertility, 2024
| Measure | 2024 | 2023 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live births (England and Wales) | 594,677 | 591,072 | Up 0.6% on 2023 |
| Total fertility rate (TFR) | 1.41 | 1.42 | Lowest on record, 3rd year running |
| Live births, England only | 567,708 | n/a | 2024 country split |
| Live births, Wales only | 26,832 | n/a | 2024 country split |
A total fertility rate of about 2.1 is the level needed for a population to replace itself without migration, so 1.41 is well below replacement.
Last updated 2026-06-25. Compiled by BabyData from the ONS Births in England and Wales 2024 release. Scotland (National Records of Scotland) and Northern Ireland (NISRA) publish their own birth statistics. Refreshed each year when the ONS releases new figures.
Common questions
Is the UK birth rate falling?
The total fertility rate is falling and hit 1.41 in 2024, a record low for the third year running. The actual number of births rose slightly in 2024, but the rate per woman keeps dropping as the adult population grows.
What is the total fertility rate?
It is the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime at current birth rates. About 2.1 is needed for a population to replace itself naturally, so 1.41 is well below that.
Does this cover the whole UK?
These figures are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland publish their own birth and fertility statistics through National Records of Scotland and NISRA.
Source: ONS Births in England and Wales 2024.