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Quarter of births to foreign-born mothers in England and Wales | |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than a quarter of babies born in England and Wales in 2016 were to foreign-born mothers - the highest level on record, official figures show. | |
This figure has increased every year since 1990 to the current 28%. | This figure has increased every year since 1990 to the current 28%. |
Data from the Office for National Statistics also shows more women in their 40s are giving birth than women aged under 20. | Data from the Office for National Statistics also shows more women in their 40s are giving birth than women aged under 20. |
This is the second year in a row this has happened - a pattern last recorded in 1947. | This is the second year in a row this has happened - a pattern last recorded in 1947. |
Fertile 40s | Fertile 40s |
The fertility rate for women aged 40 and over has now trebled since 1990, to 15.9 babies born per 1,000 women in that age group. | The fertility rate for women aged 40 and over has now trebled since 1990, to 15.9 babies born per 1,000 women in that age group. |
The rate at which women in their 30s are having babies has been on the rise since the 1980s. | The rate at which women in their 30s are having babies has been on the rise since the 1980s. |
In contrast, among women under 20 and aged 20-24, fertility rates are now at their lowest level since 1938. | In contrast, among women under 20 and aged 20-24, fertility rates are now at their lowest level since 1938. |
The proportion of all live births to mothers born outside the UK stood at 11.6% at the start of the 1990s. | The proportion of all live births to mothers born outside the UK stood at 11.6% at the start of the 1990s. |
The ONS says one of the reasons for the increase since then is that fertility levels are generally higher among foreign-born women. | The ONS says one of the reasons for the increase since then is that fertility levels are generally higher among foreign-born women. |
The overall number of live births in England and Wales decreased slightly last year, to just under 700,000. | The overall number of live births in England and Wales decreased slightly last year, to just under 700,000. |
The average age of mothers in 2016 increased to 30.4 years, compared with 30.3 years in 2015. | The average age of mothers in 2016 increased to 30.4 years, compared with 30.3 years in 2015. |
Teenage pregnancy | |
Natika Halil, chief executive of the sexual health charity FPA, said the figures were a reminder that fertility does not stop at 40. | |
"Although it can take longer and be more difficult to get pregnant if you are over 35, many women over 35 have healthy pregnancies and babies. | |
"However, this also highlights the importance for women who are not planning to have children, or have completed their family, to continue to use contraception until menopause." | |
She said cuts to public health budgets could have a future impact on teenage pregnancy rates, which had been falling steadily. | |
"It's worth noting that the UK still has one of the highest teenage birth rates in Western Europe: three times the rate in Italy, and more than four times the rate in Sweden," Ms Halil added. | |
Baby boom | Baby boom |
There was a small decrease in the number of deaths - 525,048 - registered in England and Wales last year, following a large increase in 2015. | There was a small decrease in the number of deaths - 525,048 - registered in England and Wales last year, following a large increase in 2015. |
But the number of deaths among people aged 65 to 74 increased, possibly due to those born in the baby boom immediately after World War Two moving into old age. | But the number of deaths among people aged 65 to 74 increased, possibly due to those born in the baby boom immediately after World War Two moving into old age. |
The figures for children dying from asthma were lower than last year, though Asthma UK says the level of boys dying from the condition is the highest since 2004. | The figures for children dying from asthma were lower than last year, though Asthma UK says the level of boys dying from the condition is the highest since 2004. |
In 2016, the stillbirth rate decreased to 4.4 per 1,000 total births, the lowest rate since 1992. | In 2016, the stillbirth rate decreased to 4.4 per 1,000 total births, the lowest rate since 1992. |