Provides files to download data as it existed for this dataset on previous dates.

Statistics are most often revised for 1 of 2 reasons:

  1. For certain statistics initial estimates are released with the expectation that these may be revised and updated as further data becomes available.
  2. Revisions may also be made when methods or systems are changed.

These types of planned revisions should not be confused with errors in released statistics, which are genuine mistakes. Such mistakes occur rarely and, when they do happen, corrections are made in a timely manner, announced and clearly explained to users in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics (Principle 2, Practice 7).

Latest version

xls (588.3 kB)

Previous versions

Superseded files Reason for update Date superseded
xls (574.0 kB)
Correction See correction
Due to a processing error, the UK TFR in table 1 was incorrectly reported as 1.82 children per woman - the correct figure is 1.80. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
28 November 2016 14:08

Important notes and usage information

Main points from our latest release:

  • In 2016 the total fertility rate (TFR) in the UK was 1.79 children per woman, a slight decrease from 2015 (1.80).

  • Northern Ireland had the highest TFR of all UK countries in 2016, with 1.95 children per woman, in England and Wales the TFRs were 1.81 and 1.74 respectively; Scotland had the lowest TFR with 1.52 children per woman.

  • The East of England and the West Midlands were the regions of England with the highest TFR in 2016 with 1.91 children per woman, while the North East and London had the lowest with 1.72 children per woman.

  • Among the local authorities in England in 2016, Barking and Dagenham had the highest TFR with 2.47 children per woman while City of London had the lowest with 0.75 children per woman.

  • Among the local authorities in Wales in 2016, Denbighshire had the highest TFR with 2.09 children per woman while Cardiff had the lowest with 1.59 children per woman.

  • In England in 2016, there were 5.6 births per 1,000 women aged under 18, in Wales the figure was 7.7.

  • London was the region of England with the lowest birth rate for women aged under 18 (3.8 births per 1,000 women) while the North East had the highest (10.2 births per 1,000 women) in 2016.

  • In England in 2016 there were 1.1 births per 1,000 women aged 45 and over, in Wales the figure was 0.7.

  • The North East was the region of England with the lowest birth rate for women aged 45 and over (0.5 births per 1,000 women) while London had the highest (2.7 births per 1,000 women) in 2016.

  • In 2016 the North East was the region of England with the highest percentage of live births outside marriage or civil partnership (59.8%), London had the lowest (36.5%).

  • Among the local authorities in England in 2016, Knowsley had the highest percentage of live births outside marriage or civil partnership (73.3%), Harrow had the lowest (19.4%).

  • Among the local authorities in Wales in 2016, Merthyr Tydfil had the highest percentage of live births outside marriage or civil partnership (70.8%) while Cardiff had the lowest (47.6%).