Overview

• The Office for National Statistics reported a total fertility rate of 1.41, marking a third consecutive year of new lows.
• Live births edged up to 594,677 from 591,072, yet the rate declined as the population expanded.
• The population rose by about 706,881 to mid-2024, with roughly 98% of the increase attributed to migration.
• Regional shifts were uneven, with only London and the West Midlands recording year-on-year increases; the West Midlands was highest at 1.59 and the South West lowest at 1.31.
• Wales fell to 1.35 while England held at 1.42, and local rates ranged from Luton at 2.00 to the City of London at 0.32.