Do you really know? Are we less fertile than before?
Mar 31, 2026
Statistics and trends in UK fertility are unpacked with surprising numbers. The rise in average maternal age and its impact on egg reserve gets attention. Medical conditions like PCOS and endometriosis are listed as contributors. The role of environmental endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols and phthalates is explored.
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Developed Countries Long-Term Fertility Decline
- Fertility rates show a long-term decline in developed countries despite a small uptick in England and Wales in 2021.
- Joseph Chance cites ONS data: 2021 was the first increase in a decade, but the overall trend remains downward globally.
High Rate Of Unexplained Infertility
- Around one quarter of infertility cases are unexplained and these unexplained cases become more common with age.
- Joseph Chance references NHS figures showing significant proportion of infertility lacks clear medical cause.
Later First Births Reduce Natural Fertility
- Age at first childbirth has risen substantially in the UK, contributing to lower fertility.
- Statista data: average age rose from 26.4 years in 1975 to 30.9 years in 2021, reducing natural pregnancy probabilities with age.