Half of British women aged 18-50 have delayed or decided against having future children, with cost concerns main factor
The most likely reason cited by all those who have delayed or decided against having future children is the costs of raising children (39%), followed by the cost of living generally (36%)
New research from Ipsos in the UK suggests that half (49%) of all British adult women aged 18-50 have delayed or decided against having a child in the future. This has increased by four points (45%) since October 2022. Men aged 18-50 are less likely (40%) to say they have delayed or decided against having a child in the future, compared to 44% of all British adults aged 18-50.
Ipsos’ research comes as concerns are raised across the political spectrum on Britain’s low total fertility rate, including by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who recently said the falling birthrate was “a trend which has worrying repercussions for society in the future”.
Reasons and solutions for Britain's childbirth rates
Of all those who have planned to delay or decided against having future children, the most likely reasons given are:
- The cost of raising children (39%)
- Concerns about general cost of living (36%)
- My partner / I don’t want to have another child (30%)
- Cost of childcare (29%)
One in five (19%) of those who have delayed or decided against having future children say one of the main reasons why is because they feel too “daunted” at the prospect. 21% want to dedicate time to the child or children they have.
Two in five (42%) British adults in total say that more affordable housing would be most likely to lead to more people in the UK having children, followed by more affordable childcare (38%), encouraging flexible working arrangements (36%), more secure and better paid jobs (34%) and better availability for childcare (34%).
The Labour Party (22%) is seen as the most trusted party among parents to have the best policies to support families and parents across the UK. Reform UK (14%) is seen as the second most trusted among parents, following by the Conservative Party. One fifth (21%) of parents say they trusted ‘none of these’ parties.
Views on Britain’s total fertility rate and parenthood
Around three in five (63%) British adults think it is difficult to be a parent in the UK today, rising to two thirds (66%) of British women. More than half (56%) of British adults think it is more difficult to be a parent in the UK today than it was 20 years ago. Half (51%) of British adults correctly say the UK’s total fertility rate is lower now than it was 15 years ago. 15% say it is higher, while 21% say they don’t know.
Commenting on the findings, Research Director Keiran Pedley at Ipsos said:
Our research suggests that the ongoing cost of living crisis is having a direct impact on people’s decision making when it comes to starting a family. Half of women of childbearing age say they’ve delayed or decided against having future children, and when we delve into why, the reasons suggested are to do with the cost of living and childcare.
If there is one policy solution that the public think would increase childbirth rates, it’s more affordable housing. In better news for the government, Labour are still the most trusted party for families among parents.
Technical note:
- Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 2,169 adults aged 18-75 across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between the 27-30 June 2025.
- Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.
