Demographic Trends in Family Life

1537 Words7 Pages
Demographic trends in family life POPULATION OF THE UK * IN 1901 UK population was 38.2m by 2006 it had grown to 60.6 m * This population growth has been driven by natural change , every year since 1901 there's been more births than deaths. * From the 1980’s onwards net migration (which is immigration exceeding emigration) has been the main factor. * Between 2001 and 2004 net migration accounted for two thirds of the increase in UK population. Changes in birth rate * Only 716,000 children were born in 2004 , this is 34% fewer than in 1901 and 21% fewer than 1971. * The birth-rate is a history of fluctuations. * There was a fall in birth rate during first world war followed by a baby boom with births peaking at 1.1million in 1920. * The was a low rate during interwar period and then another baby boom after second world war * In 2006 the birth rate was the highest in 26 years. * There are a number of reasons why the birthrate in 21st century is lower than in 1901 * A major decline in infant mortality rate (the number of children dying at birth in the first year of life per 1000) * This began because of improvements of sanitation , water supplies and nutrition. * As standards of living increased and childhood came to be seen as a special period , therefore sizes of families were limited. * Attitudes to women's roles changed dramatically meaning more women chose to have careers instead of having children or having less children so they could work. CHANGES IN THE FERTILITY RATE * The fertility rate generally refers to the number of children that women of childbearing age have in any one year. The rates have declined over the past of 100 years. * In 1990 there were 115 live births per 1000 women aged 15 to 44 compared to only 57 in 1999. * The total fertility rate (the number of children that are born
Open Document