How the “Fertility Gap” Is Fueling the Rise in One-Child Families

Understanding the fertility gap: why one-child families are rising 

A recent report by BBC finds that a growing number of families in the UK are having only one child, marking a notable shift in family dynamics. 

The reason isn’t necessarily lack of desire — many couples still hope for two or more children. Instead, a widening “fertility gap” appears to be at play: people want more kids than they end up having. 

In other words: for every three children people feel they want, only about two are born. 

What drives the gap — and why parenting is now more expensive

Several interlocking factors underpin this trend:

Economic pressure & cost of living — Parents cited increasing financial burdens, especially childcare costs, as a strong deterrent to having a second child. As one mother in the BBC report put it, “I find it hard to imagine having the time and money for one more.” 

Delayed parenthood — Many individuals are postponing starting a family due to education, careers, or financial instability. Delays make it harder biologically to have multiple children, contributing to the fertility gap. 

Changing societal norms and gender roles — As more women prioritise careers and personal development, traditional expectations about large families evolve. For many, a smaller family fits better with contemporary lifestyle and ambitions. 

What this means for society — and future generations

The shift toward one-child families carries broader implications:

Demographic and economic impacts: A sustained drop in fertility can lead to an ageing population, fewer workers, and increased pressure on social services and pension systems. 

Social and emotional consequences: Fewer siblings could mean smaller family networks, potentially affecting support systems, particularly in ageing societies. 

Policy challenges: Governments may need to rethink family-friendly policies, childcare support, housing affordability, and employment structures if they want to help people meet their fertility goals. 

Voices behind the statistics: real people, real dilemmas

One example from the BBC summary features a parent — “Natalie Johnston” — who acknowledges the love for her first child but doubts she can manage the financial and time cost of a second. 

This mirrors what many people express in public forums:

“The article is actually about people not having the money to afford more kids… Having children just literally does not add up for half of working people.” 

For many, it’s not a rejection of parenthood — it’s a realistic response to economic and social realities.

Looking ahead: bridging the gap — but is it enough?

Some experts argue that addressing the fertility gap goes beyond simply encouraging births — it requires structural change. According to a recent paper from Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), lowering regulatory burdens in labour and childcare markets could help more people meet their fertility intentions. 

But critics caution that financial incentives alone (like “baby bonuses” or childcare subsidies) are unlikely to fully reverse the trend — unless combined with broader support for sustainable work-life balance, affordable housing, and gender equity. 

Final thought

The rise of one-child families — and the widening fertility gap — says much about how modern life, economic pressures, and changing values shape our decisions about parenthood. It’s not simply about choice, but about whether life today makes certain choices possible.