Norfolk fertility rates fall

Fertility rates have fallen across Norfolk with one area recorded as among the bottom 10 in the country.

Norwich is the eighth lowest council area in England and Wales, according to the latest Office for National Statistics figures.

While fertility rates have also dropped in five of the seven districts in the county.

It comes as a growing number of schools are at risk of closure in Norfolk due to a lack of pupils.

Fertility rates reflect the average number of live children women would expect to have across their childbearing life.

ONS research has found that fertility rates fell to record lows in England and Wales last year – a trend reflected across the world, which has more than halved since 1963.

In Norfolk, Norwich has the lowest fertility rate of just 1.05, down from 1.07 in 2023.

Broadland has the second-lowest fertility rate, which fell from 1.45 in 2023 to 1.28 – one of the biggest reductions in the county.

North Norfolk’s fertility rate is recorded at 1.36, down from 1.37 in 2023, followed by South Norfolk at 1.44 (down from 1.46 in 2023) and Great Yarmouth at 1.44 (down from 1.57 in 2023).

But bucking the trend are Breckland and West Norfolk, which have both seen rates increase last year.

Breckland has gone up from 1.54 in 2023 to 1.55 and West Norfolk has risen to 1.56, from 1.53 in 2023.

East Suffolk has also seen a drop in fertility rates from 1.44, down from 1.48.

Mid Suffolk fell from 1.54 in 2023 to 1.45.

Lower birth rates have been linked to increasing financial pressures, not finding the right partner and not feeling ready for parenthood, according to researchers from University College London.

The implications of fertility rates falling have also been a factor affecting schooling provision in Norfolk.

County Hall experts say a falling birth rate means there could be fewer than 7,000 pupils entering mainstream schooling in the next three years, which could make it “challenging” for some smaller schools, especially in rural areas, to keep running.

However, Norfolk County Council is also facing pressure to build 25 new schools and expand eight other ones to cope with new housing.

This is predominantly in more urban areas and in the surrounding villages of the county’s towns and city.

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