This comes as 40.7% expect more single parents to choose to have children without a partner
New data obtained by Fertility Family reveals that, despite a national decline in birth rates, Dartford recorded the highest increase in birth rates in the UK. Birth rates in Dartford have risen by 14.62% in the past 15 years.
The Beyond the Birth Rate report has drawn on 15 years of birth and fertility data, alongside survey responses from individuals and couples to explore not just what the statistics tell us, but also the real-world influences shaping modern family decisions.
How do other towns and cities compare?
Dartford is closely followed by Harborough (14.06%), making them the two areas in the UK with the highest increase in birth rates. They are the only two regions with a birth rate increase of above 14% during this period.
The data reveals that birth rates have increased in a limited number of urban or rural areas, with just 15 of the 290 regions analysed (5%) having seen an increase over the past 15 years.
London boroughs, Richmond upon Thames (-41.57) and Kensington and Chelsea (-39.58), were the areas that recorded the steepest decline in birth rates during this period.
Across the UK, the births per year has fallen by 117,776, recording an overall decrease of 16.6% in the past 15 years. The most dramatic decline in birth rates has been over the past 5 years, with 49,276 births recorded, a 7.7% decrease.
Financial barriers are a leading cause of declining birth rates
The study found that financial concerns are one of the most significant reasons people delay having children. A staggering 40% of respondents said financial stability was the biggest factor in their decision, while nearly 1 in 4 (23%) admitted that they see starting a family as unaffordable.
When asked whether this was believed to be a factor in the average age of first-time mothers increasing, a huge 60% reported that they believed it was.
Why are people waiting longer to have children?
Beyond financial pressures, shifting priorities are playing a key role in the UK’s declining birth and fertility rates.
The study found that:
- 47% say career ambitions are a significant factor in the delay. Many feel they need to establish themselves professionally before considering children, with concerns over career progression, maternity leave policies, and work-life balance
- 44% cite difficulties in finding the right partner as a key reason for putting off having children
- 34% feel that housing costs and the lack of affordable homes are significant barriers
These societal shifts mean that more people are having children later in life, which can come with additional fertility challenges.