4.5.2

Birth Rates

Test yourself

Birth Rate, Fertility Rate and Average Family Size

Since 1900 in the UK, the birth rate, the general and the total fertility rate have all been declining, resulting in smaller families.

Illustrative background for Definitions Illustrative background for Definitions  ?? "content

Definitions

  • The birth rate is defined as the number of births per 1,000 of the population each year.
  • The general fertility rate is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 women of child-bearing age (15-44) per year.
  • The total fertility rate is defined as the average number of children a woman will have during their child-bearing years.
Illustrative background for ‘Baby booms’Illustrative background for ‘Baby booms’ ?? "content

‘Baby booms’

  • Baby booms occurred after:
    • The two world wars (as couples started families following separation).
    • In the 1960’s as living standards rose.
    • In the 2000’s as women who had delayed having children until they were older began having families.

Explaining the Decline in Birth and Fertility Rates

There are a multitude of reasons that explain the decline in birth and fertility rates, including changes to social attitudes and values, laws, and financial situations.

Illustrative background for Career women Illustrative background for Career women  ?? "content

Career women

  • More women are choosing to pursue their own careers rather than raising children, limiting the number of children they can have or waiting until they are older and have established a career.
Illustrative background for ContraceptionIllustrative background for Contraception ?? "content

Contraception

  • Contraception is now more effective, safer and cheaper and there is access to safe and legal abortions (since 1967).
Illustrative background for Financial responsibilities Illustrative background for Financial responsibilities  ?? "content

Financial responsibilities

  • Since being barred from employment in the nineteenth century, children have become an economic liability as they can no longer contribute to the family income.
  • They also need supporting during many years of compulsory education.
Illustrative background for Infant mortality Illustrative background for Infant mortality  ?? "content

Infant mortality

  • The declining infant mortality rate means that more children are living beyond the age of five years old, so parents don’t need to have more children in the hope that some will survive.
Illustrative background for Changing values Illustrative background for Changing values  ?? "content

Changing values

  • Society has become more child-centred, meaning that parents can spend more time with fewer children.
  • The introduction of the welfare state means that parents no longer require children to care for them in their old age.
Illustrative background for IndividualisationIllustrative background for Individualisation ?? "content

Individualisation

  • The need for a geographically mobile workforce has lead to smaller families that can be moved easily from one part of the country to another in pursuit of work.
  • Changing values and the growth of individualisation means that couples are becoming reluctant to sacrifice their way of life in order to have children.

Consequences of a Falling Birth Rate

The falling birth rate affects people of all ages within society in the UK.

Illustrative background for Family structure Illustrative background for Family structure  ?? "content

Family structure

  • As women are more likely to be in full-time employment, dual income or symmetrical families become more common.
Illustrative background for Dependency ratioIllustrative background for Dependency ratio ?? "content

Dependency ratio

  • A shift in the dependency ratio.
  • Fewer people are entering the workforce while more people are retiring, leading to higher levels of taxation on the working population to support the retired majority and a rise in the retirement age so that people work for longer.
Illustrative background for Public spending Illustrative background for Public spending  ?? "content

Public spending

  • Less spending on public services and policies for children, so fewer schools, less spending on child benefits and less spending on healthcare.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson