The Office for National Statistics has announced an online session for 15 October covering the latest births and deaths statistics, their role in population estimates, and planned improvements to the data.
England and Wales recorded 585,396 live births in 2025 — 1.6 per cent fewer than the 594,677 registered in 2024 — alongside a total fertility rate of 1.39 children per woman, the lowest the ONS has recorded. Deaths rose slightly, with 570,988 registered in 2025 compared with 568,613 in 2024, a rise of 0.4 per cent year on year.
The ONS posted details of the webinar on 15 October, describing it as an opportunity to understand the latest trends, how births and deaths data feed into population estimates, and what methodological improvements are planned.
Natural change — the difference between births and deaths — contributed an estimated population increase of 19,600 in the year to mid-2025, based on ONS population estimates of around 588,000 births and 568,400 deaths during that period. Those mid-year estimates are a separate statistical measure from the registered totals and shouldn’t be treated as interchangeable.
The ONS noted that provisional national birth and death rates were produced using population projections, with final rates due later in 2026.
Webinar start time, duration, registration requirements and speaker details were not confirmed in the available information.
Key information
- Webinar date: 15 October 2026
- Format: Online session hosted by the Office for National Statistics
- Topics covered: Latest births and deaths statistics and trends, role in population estimates, planned statistical improvements
- Registration: Visit the ONS website for details — registration requirements were not independently verified
Source: @ONS
ONS to hold webinar on births and deaths trends in England and Wales Quiz
5 questions