United Kingdom Birth Rate
Crude birth rate per 1,000 people SP.DYN.CBRT.IN
United Kingdom's birth rate was 9.7 in 2025, ranked 150th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
United Kingdom's birth rate stood at 9.7 in 2025, a decline of +0.3 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 9.7 by 2025. United Kingdom ranked 150th globally.
The United Kingdom’s birth rate has fallen dramatically over the 65‑year span from 17.50 births per 1,000 people in 1960 to a historic low of 9.70 in 2025, ranking 150th globally. The post‑war peak of 18.80 in 1964 marked the highest level recorded, after which a steady decline accelerated from the 1990s onward, reflecting prolonged fertility postponement, rising female labour participation and persistent housing affordability constraints. By contrast, peer economies such as Türkiye (9.78) and Sri Lanka (9.70) exhibit similarly low rates, underscoring a broader shift among advanced and emerging markets toward sub‑replacement fertility. The United Kingdom’s demographic trajectory now mirrors that of many high‑income nations where total fertility rates hover below the 2.1 replacement threshold, intensifying pressures on the working‑age population and public pension systems. Unless policies that enhance child‑bearing incentives, improve childcare provision, or attract skilled migrants are expanded, the downward momentum of the birth rate is likely to persist in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Birth Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 9.6 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 9.7 | - | - |
| 2025 | 9.7 | −0.3 | #150 |
| 2023 | 10.0 | −0.1 | #60 |
| 2022 | 10.1 | −0.1 | #60 |
| 2021 | 10.2 | +0.0 | #52 |
| 2020 | 10.2 | −0.4 | #52 |
| 2019 | 10.6 | −0.4 | #56 |
| 2018 | 11.0 | −0.4 | #60 |
| 2017 | 11.4 | −0.4 | #56 |
| 2016 | 11.8 | −0.1 | #59 |
| 2015 | 11.9 | −0.1 | #58 |
| 2014 | 12.0 | −0.1 | #55 |
| 2013 | 12.1 | −0.7 | #55 |
| 2012 | 12.8 | +0.0 | #60 |
| 2011 | 12.8 | −0.1 | #63 |
| 2010 | 12.9 | +0.2 | #62 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Kingdom matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1985. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw birth rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Kingdom's birth rate was 9.7 in 2025. Ranked 150th globally. This represents a 3.2% decrease from the previous year.
United Kingdom's birth rate peaked at 18.8 in 1964.
The lowest birth rate in United Kingdom was 9.7 in 2025.
United Kingdom ranks 150th globally in birth rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.DYN.CBRT.IN. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Kingdom's birth rate is projected to reach 9.7 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The birth rate of United Kingdom in 2025 was 9.7. This ranks 150th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-kingdom_birth-rate,
title = {United Kingdom Birth Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-kingdom/birth-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}