More babies are being born to unmarried couples than ever since records began
MORE babies are being born to unmarried couples than at any time since records began.
The number of births registered in England and Wales stood at 624,828 in 2021, official figures have revealed.
But 320,713 — more than half at 51.3 per cent — were to women not wed or in a civil partnership.
The Office for National Statistics said it made 2021 the first year this had happened since records were first compiled in 1845.
But Harry Benson, of charity Marriage Foundation, said: “We hope these findings act as a wake-up call to the Government and MPs.
“All the main party leaders say they support marriage and stable relationships, yet the current support on offer to couples, both before and after getting married, is almost non- existent.”
The stats reflect a long-term trend of declining marriage rates and increasing numbers of cohabiting couples.
It has led to 36.5 per cent of births being registered to people living together, compared with 31.2 per cent in 2011.
The average age of mothers giving birth also edged up to 30.9 in 2021 from 30.7 the previous year.
The average age of dads stayed at 33.7 years.