4. UK population change (1) Population statistic Trend Fertility rate: 1.84 per 1,000 Rates fell sharply in the 1960s, but have risen slightly in the last decade Birth rate: 10.7 per 1,000 Rates have stabilised having declined for decades; birth rates were high during the ‘baby boom’ after the Second World War Death rate: 10.1 per 1,000 Death rates are low, and stable; they fell throughout the twentieth century Infant mortality: 5 per 1,000 Very low; it was 140 per 1,000 in 1900
5. UK population change (2) Population statistic Trend Life expectancy: 81 years Has risen steadily, from 47 in 1900; women live 4–5 years longer than men Average age: 39 years Has risen recently as the population ages, but current immigration may change this Family size: 2.4 persons Has fallen sharply from 6 in 1900 Ethnicity: 8% Has risen steadily since 1945; the next census (2011) may show 9–10% Total population: 60.5 million Growing slowly, having stagnated and almost tipped into decline in the 1970s and 1980s