BBC
'It's not a nice world to bring children into': Births fall to the lowest level in 50 years
"It's just not a very nice world to bring people into, and why would I consciously do that when I can choose not to?"
Stacey Waring, a 40-year-old nurse from Nottingham, expresses how global uncertainties have influenced her decision to reconsider starting a family.
She represents a growing trend where individuals are opting for fewer or no children, contributing to a broader national and global narrative of declining birth rates.
In 2025, births in England and Wales declined for the fourth consecutive year, reaching their lowest level in nearly 50 years, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Waring believes that raising children in the current UK environment seems less appealing compared to the experiences of previous generations.
"When I reflect on my childhood, I was among the last generations to play outside without a mobile phone, and the contrast today is significant," she remarks.
However, she feels fortunate to be part of a time that offers individuals the autonomy to make informed choices regarding family planning.
"If I had children, I'd have to cut back on my work hours," she shares.
"I'm an avid traveler and enjoy frequent trips in my camper van, which would be impossible if I had children."
UK birth rates have been gradually declining since 2010. In 2025, there were 585,000 live births, marking a decrease of 10,000 compared to the previous year and representing the lowest total since 1977.
The estimated fertility rate fell to just below 1.4 children per woman in England and Wales in 2025, down from 1.9 in 2010.
Moreover, women are delaying motherhood, with the average age for having the first child now reaching 29.6 years, an increase of approximately two years from 2010.
Additionally, births where at least one parent was born outside the UK have risen to 40%, up from 30% during the same period.
'It's heartbreaking'
Georgina Tuffour, 35, wishes to have a larger family but points to the escalating cost of living as a significant barrier.
The trainee nurse and her husband, who drives for Uber, currently have three children aged 10, eight, and six, and she is apprehensive about expanding their family.
"My daughter wants to enroll in every school activity, and my son is passionate about playing the drums, which costs £50 a month," she explains.
"I’ve had to inform them that I cannot afford to enroll all of them simultaneously, which pains me. So just imagine adding another child to that equation?"
Tuffour, who reached out to BBC Your Voice, acknowledges some governmental efforts to support young families but desires more policies aimed at alleviating childcare expenses.
Dr. Paula Sheppard, an anthropologist at the University of Oxford, notes that the rising cost of living partially drives individuals to postpone having children until they feel more financially secure.
"They're waiting for better job prospects, higher salaries, suitable housing, and more favorable neighborhoods, and this process takes longer due to current economic conditions," she observes.
"People have always desired the best for their children, but the increasing costs associated with parenthood—like food and clothing—certainly influence their decisions."
Dr. Sheppard argues that the decline in birth rates is not solely a UK or European issue; rather, it is part of a larger global trend.
"Even in Nordic countries, known for their family-friendly policies, there hasn't been a rise in birth rates," she notes.
She attributes this phenomenon to a broader "cultural shift," wherein families opt to focus their resources on fewer children rather than raising many with limited means.
Dr. Sheppard suggests that decreasing birth rates can also create a self-perpetuating psychological effect, explaining that "if you grow up in a society where few babies are visible, it becomes increasingly challenging to envision having babies yourself."
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