Births in England and Wales are the lowest in decades
... well, the lowest since 2001. The following graphic best illustrates what has been happening:
The drop is down to British people not having children. No-one knows why this is happening.
Has the cost of living crisis persuaded some people to delay having children? Did the pandemic interfere with people's dating habits, resulting in fewer couples being formed? Has eco-zelotry played a part, with some people deciding not to have children "to save the planet"?
Or is it because it's now the fashion to wait till you own your home before having children? I think this is the real reason.
Most people follow the following pattern: when they finally find their soul-mate and get engaged they start saving frantically for a deposit on a house. When they finally manage to buy, they move in and are involved in another frantic round of saving - this time to renovate the house and pay for the wedding. When that's all done and they walk down the aisle, there is a new baby nine months later.
Which is all very responsible, but takes a lot of time and effort when house prices are this high.
What has caused the baby bust is no-one has children in rented accomodation any more.