General Article The state of fertility in the UK and the world

Topic Selected: Fertility Book Volume: 460

Fertility rates have been falling in the UK and across the world. This means that, on average, people are having fewer children than they used to. In fact, fertility rates in countries that are part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have dropped by half over the last 60 years. This is a big change, and it has serious consequences for society.

There are many reasons why fertility is in decline. One major reason is that people are choosing to have children later in life. In many countries, people want to focus on their education and careers before starting a family. Others may find it too expensive to raise children, especially with the cost of housing, childcare, and everyday living going up. In the UK, for example, many young people say they feel financially unprepared to become parents.

Another reason is that more people are living in cities than ever before. City life can be busy and expensive, and smaller living spaces can make it harder to rais...

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