Excluding the Covid pandemic, ONS figures show 16,300 fewer births than deaths, not seen since 1970s ‘baby bust’

Deaths have outstripped births in the UK for the first time in nearly half a century, excluding the start of the pandemic, official figures showed on Tuesday.

Declining fertility and the demise of baby boomers means there are now more funerals than baby celebrations, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

There were an estimated 16,300 fewer births than deaths in the UK in the year to mid-2023, the first time this has happened since the 1970s “baby bust”, if excess deaths during Covid are stripped out.

But the figures continue to show a growing population, up 1% in the year to 68,265,209 people, due to net international migration of 677,300.

The dominance of deaths over births was described by economists as “a stark reminder of Britain’s demographic challenges”.

  • ChouxFleur@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    1 month ago

    Population is increasing, despite this. But the current dialogue around immigration is absolutely horrific, so good luck to everyone who plans on living long enough to maybe need care.