The birth and total fertility rates (TFR) will continue to rise for a decade and then decline

The current trend of rising birth and total fertility rates will continue for the next 10 years. Birth rates are expected to rise by an average 1.4 per cent per annum until 2021 and then fall until 2031, when they will rise again. However, predictions of changes in the birth rate have been underestimated in the past, and actual rates may be higher or lower than forecast. Rates will also vary by area. Increasing numbers of births will place pressure on hospital beds and encourage reduced lengths of stay following healthy births and for low-risk mothers and babies.

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.