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Parents embrace single-child families amid financial pressures
A growing number of UK parents are choosing to have just one child, driven by financial constraints and shifting societal norms. Natalie Johnston, 35, found solace in an online group called One And Done On The Fence, which gave a name to her decision.
Financial realities behind family planning
Johnston, a mother to five-year-old Joanie, describes the dilemma of balancing love for a potential second child against practical concerns. "You worry about stretching resources-time, money, and opportunities for your first child," she says. The cost of childcare, now averaging £12,425 annually for a child under two in England, has dropped slightly but remains prohibitive for many families.
Official data reflects this trend. England and Wales recorded a fertility rate of 1.41 children per woman in 2024-the lowest in three consecutive years. Single-child families now account for 44% of households with dependent children, up from 42% in 2000, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Global fertility decline linked to economic uncertainty
The United Nations attributes the worldwide drop in birth rates to rising living costs, gender inequality, and economic instability. "People aren't rejecting parenthood-they're being denied the freedom to start families," a UN report states. In the UK, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has cited expanded childcare funding as a government effort to address these barriers.
Debunking stereotypes about only children
Historical research once labeled only children as "selfish" or "maladjusted," but modern studies challenge these claims. Dr. Adriean Mancillas, a psychologist at California State University, notes that only children often excel academically due to concentrated parental resources-a phenomenon known as "resource dilution."
"Parents with one child can be more involved in their education, providing undivided time and financial support."
Dr. Adriean Mancillas, California State University
Contrary to the "little emperor" stereotype, research shows only children develop strong relational skills, valuing connections more deeply due to limited sibling interactions.
Policy challenges of a shrinking population
The UK's declining birth rate is straining public services, with school enrollments dropping by 150,000 since 2019. Fewer pupils mean reduced funding for schools, forcing budget cuts. Demographer Dr. Alina Pelikh warns of broader economic impacts, including pressure on pensions and healthcare as the population ages.
Governments worldwide are responding with incentives. Poland now offers tax exemptions for families with multiple children, while Hungary provides tax breaks for mothers. In the US, proposals like a $5,000 "baby bonus" have been floated.
A personal choice, not a compromise
For Johnston, the decision to stop at one child was liberating. "You can't have a child for someone else," she reflects. Her daughter, recently named a "values ambassador" at school, embodies the benefits of focused parenting. "She was chosen for her personality, not her family size."
As societal attitudes evolve, experts like psychologist Susan Newman predict more "only-child dynasties," where parents who grew up without siblings choose the same path for their children. The trend, she argues, reflects a shift toward intentional parenting rather than tradition.
