CPC-CG Director contributes to UK Parliament research briefing on impacts of birthrate decline

CPC-CG Director Professor Jane Falkingham CBE is a contributor to the latest UK Parliament POSTnote on the 'Impacts of birthrate decline’.

The report also references research from Professor Ann Berrington on childlessness in the UK and Dr David McCollum on population sustainability and geographical inequalities in the context of an ageing population.

The POSTnote highlights:

• In 2023, the total fertility rate in England and Wales was 1.44 children per woman, the lowest on record. Because of declining fertility rates, and other factors such as people living longer, the UK has an ageing population.

• Population changes can affect the number of people requiring services, and the number of people available to provide services, including in health and social care. They can also affect the number of younger and older people in the workforce.

• Workforce changes may affect the economy, businesses and individual workers. Wider potential implications of birthrate decline may include effects on living standards, the provision of informal care, and the environment.

• Some commentators suggest immigration can contribute to short-term increases in the total fertility rate. Some contend migration alone is not likely to play a significant role in alleviating pressures of an ageing population.

• The global fertility rate has been declining almost continuously over the past 50 years. Some countries have implemented policies to improve family/work balance, which may support having and raising children. Evidence on the effectiveness of policies which seek to raise fertility is limited and contested.

Download the full POSTnote Research Briefing ‘Impacts of birthrate decline'.

Find out more about our research on population changes in the UK and what this might mean for policymakers in our factsheet: ‘Population change in the UK and lessons for Labour’s five missions'.

Further reading

The changing meaning of old age (CPC Policy Briefing 31)

Changes in kinship: Implications for the availability of kin to care (CPC-CG Policy Briefing 74)

Fact: Migrants get older like everyone else (FutuRes Myth Busts)

As Europe builds resilient labour markets, migration can help – but will not be enough (Population Europe Policy Insight)

Migration Scenarios Explorer (QuantMig)

Posted 21/05/2025 09:44