The birth rate in England and Wales has fallen to its lowest level for at least 80 years, official figures have revealed.

In 2018 there were 657,076 live births, a decrease of 3.2 per cent since 2017 and 9.9 per cent down since 2012.

It is the third year in a row that the number of live births has dropped and levels have not been this low since 2005, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The birth rate has hit a record low, decreasing from 11.6 to 11.1 live births per 1,000 people – the lowest since records began in 1938.

The total fertility rate – which is the average number of children a woman gives birth to – fell to 1.7 children per woman in England and Wales, which continues a six-year trend. Fertility rates fell in women of all ages except those aged 40 and over, where they remained the same.

Rates were highest in the east of England, with 1.81 children per woman, while the northeast remained with the lowest figure at 1.58.

The ONS said falling fertility rates were mainly responsible, but the fall could have been exaggerated by an ageing population, with a larger proportion of older people compared with those able to bear children.

The ONS did not look at social reasons that could be driving people to have fewer children.

WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world Show all 29 1 /29 WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Linety, 18, bathes her one-month-old daughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots. The concoction is believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Flora, 59, sits with her daughter, Linety, 18, and prepares to bathe her one-month-old grandaughter Maria in Nsambilo, a concoction of protection made from tree roots, believed to keep the baby healthy and protect her from evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, two-week-old baby Mutinta wears a ‘kakonde’, a necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Zambia, Grandma Estheli, 62, covers two-week-old baby Mutinta while being held by her mother Chuuma, 18. Mutinta wears a ‘kakonde’ necklace to protect her from vomiting, diarrhoea and bad omens. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Nigeria, a twig tree is held in a calabash bowl, where it is dissolved in water as part of the Nana Fatsuma tradition. The pregnant mother will drink the solution to hasten delivery. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, grandmother Melise makes porridge for her daughter, Lucia, 26, who has just given birth to baby Bertha. New mothers are given a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar. It is thought that this will give them the energy and the nutrients they need. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, eats a special porridge made from soya, maize flour and sugar, which is given to mothers after childbirth. It's believed this will give mothers the energy and nutrients they need. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Malawi, Lucia, 26, mother to newborn baby Bertha, sits with her mother, Melise. Melise has made her a special porridge from soya, maize flour and sugar which is given to mums after childbirth. It is thought to give her energy and the nutrients. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, sits in the doorway of her home with her baby Bakita after a blessing ceremony. As part of the ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water and small strings are tied around the baby’s wrist, ankles, neck and waist. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Nagit, 30, and her husband Lomer, 32, sit with their five children after the blessing of their newborn. As part of blessing ceremony, the skin of an Etopojjo tree is soaked in water, forming small strings. These strings are then tied around the baby’s wrist, ankles, neck and waist. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, clan members dance and sing to welcome the birth of new baby Loumo. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Uganda, Awas, 58, (far left) serves local beer to her six-week-old grandson Loumo, the baby's mother Sagal, 24, and clan elders. The clan members all drink from one gourd as a sign of peace and togetherness as they welcome the new baby. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, a priest baptises four-month-old Emmeline at the Roman Catholic Holy Family Church in New Jersey. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a baby’s head absolves them of sin. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In the USA, parents Robert, 38, and Marisa, 37, hold their four-month-old baby Emmeline. She was baptised in a Roman Catholic church. Some Catholics believe pouring holy water over a baby’s head absolves them of sin. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, five-week-old Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Scotland, Ross, 35, and Amanda, 32, from Glasgow hold their five-week-old baby, Emma. Emma is given a coin by her Nana, Sandra, a custom meant to bring good luck and prosperity. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, Natsumi, 29, feeds her four-week-old daughter Miwa during Okuizome, a first food ceremony. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Japan, four-week-old baby Miwa has a first food ceremony. Natsumi, 29, feeds her daughter Miwa during the ceremony, which is called Okuizome. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, cuts his newborn son Harry’s umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Sweden, Sebastian, 31, and Maria, 34 hold their baby son Harry. Sebastian cut his newborn son Harry’s umbilical cord in an operating theatre at Östersund hospital. The convention helps fathers feel more involved in the birth. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, Rinku, 22, applies thick, black ‘kajal’ or kohl to her child Kritika’s eyes, to ward off evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In India, two-year-old Kritika has a drink after her mother, Rinku, 22, has applied thick, black ‘kajal’ or kohl to her child's eyes and forehead to ward off evil spirits. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her newborn baby Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. She sits with her sister, who applied the mask. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby, Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Madagascar, Nome, 21, wears a ‘masonjoany’ mask to protect herself from the sun and bad spirits. It is made by grinding a sandalwood tree branch and adding water to form a paste. She holds her seven-day-old baby Jackie Marcel Stephan. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida, 30, holds her one-month-old baby David in front of a tree from which bark is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her as part of ‘Kosoto’ to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Vida sits with her children (L-R) Patrick, aged 11, one-month-old David, Hannah, aged five and Desmond, aged three, outside their home. Vida took part in the Kosoto custom following David's birth where bark from a tree is taken, boiled in water and then poured over her to protect her from stomach problems in future pregnancies. Water Aid WaterAid photo series shows childbirth rituals from around the world In Ghana, Mary, 21 stands with her husband Sampson and two-year-old son Nathaniel. They performed the Nila tradition where a traditional herbalist makes a small cut on the baby’s cheek, thought to prevent the him from getting convulsions. Both parents also did the Nila tradition as infants. Water Aid

The figures showed the stillbirth rate reached a record low for the second year running in 2018, with 4.1 stillbirths per 1,000 total births.

There were 2,689 stillbirths in England and Wales in 2018 – a fall of 6.4 per cent from the previous year.

Population Matters director Robin Maynard says that fewer births and lower fertility are good for the UK.

He said: “People understand that a higher population means more pressure on the NHS and schools, more land being consumed for more housing that is more difficult for people to afford, more traffic and a lower quality of life.

“They recognise that it puts our environment under threat and compromises our ability to meet our climate change targets.”

For the first time since 1990, the percentage of live births in England and Wales to mothers born outside the UK decreased, from 28.4 per cent in 2017 to 28.2 per cent in 2018.

Kathryn Littleboy, of the ONS’s Vital Statistics Outputs Branch, said: “Our analysis of births in England and Wales in 2018 paints a picture of decreases and some record lows. The birth rate was the lowest ever recorded, when births are measured as a proportion of the total population.

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“The total fertility rate stood at 1.7 children per woman, lower than all years except 1977 and 1999 to 2002.

“The proportion of live births to non-UK mothers fell for the first time since 1990. The stillbirth rate reached the lowest level recorded for the second year running.

“There were 657,076 live births last year, the fewest since 2005 and a drop of almost 10 per cent since 2012.”

Clea Harmer, chief executive at stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands, said: “This continuing downward trend in the deaths of babies before birth is very welcome but, until the figures can be seen alongside mortality rates for babies who die shortly after birth, it is too early to comment on whether we are on track to meet the English government’s ambition to halve deaths by 2025.”