JERSEY’S birth rate is continuing to fall, according to a new report – with the Island’s fertility rate among the lowest in the world and well below the level needed to maintain the population without migration.
The Births and Breastfeeding Profile report revealed that a total of 720 births to Jersey resident mothers were recorded in 2024 – the lowest since records began in 1995.
peak in birth numbers seen in 2012 (1,124).
This was 10% lower than in 2023 (799), and 36% lower than the latest peak in birth numbers seen in 2012 (1,124).
Jersey’s total fertility rate – the average number of children a woman has over her lifetime – stands at 1.20 births per woman for the period 2022-2024.
were subject to the current rates of age-specific fertility in the population.
This is considerably lower than the global 2024 average of approximately 2.2 births per woman and falls short of the 2.1 births per woman typically required to sustain a stable population in developed countries
The decline in fertility is not unique to Jersey, with global rates also falling steadily. In the 1960s, the world’s average fertility rate was around 5 births per woman, and by 1990, it had decreased to 3.3, according to the United Nations.
Average age of motherhood on the rise
Meanwhile, the statistics from Public Health also revealed that the proportion of Jersey women having a baby in their 20s has nearly halved in recent years, while the average age of motherhood is on the rise.
The proportion of mothers aged 20 to 29 giving birth has fallen from 42% in the late 1990s to just 25% by 2022-2024.
Meanwhile, the number of women aged 35 and over giving birth has risen from 17% in 1995 to 32% in 2024.
This is higher than in England and Wales, where 26% of births were to women aged 35 and over in 2024.
increased from 17% in 1995.
And Jersey’s average maternal age is 32, compared to 31 in England and Wales.
The number of births to women aged 40 and above has also grown, from 2% in 1995-1997 to 8% in 2022-2024, while births to women aged 30-39 have risen from 51% to 65%.
Caesarean sections remain high
Jersey has also seen an increase in the number of Caesarean sections (C-sections).
Between 2022 and 2024, 46% of live births were delivered by C-section, up 19% from the 2000-2002 period.
C-section. This is 19% higher than in 2000-2002.
This rate is higher than in England, where 41% of births were C-sections in 2023-2024.
The report shows that C-sections are more common among older mothers, with 39% of births to women aged 40-44 delivered by C-section.
Additionally, C-sections are more frequent with first-time mothers, where 30% of first births were emergency C-sections, and 18% were elective.
For second births, 20% were emergency C-sections, and 26% were planned.
Home births decline amid service review
Home births in Jersey have also decreased, with only 2% of live births in 2024 taking place at home, down from 5% in 2023.
This decline follows the suspension of Jersey’s home birth service in October 2024, which was put on hold for an internal review of protocols, staff training, and resources.
The service is expected to be reinstated in the near future, but the government has said it will require “significant investment” to be offered full-time.
Breastfeeding shows upward trends
Jersey has seen an increase in breastfeeding rates.
In 2024, 82% of babies were breastfed at discharge from maternity care, up from 75% in 2011, although the rate drops slightly at the 6-8 week review, with 67% of mothers continuing to breastfeed.
This is higher than in England, where just 53% were being breastfed 6-8 weeks after birth in 2023-2024.
Of the babies breastfed at discharge, 52% were exclusively breastfed, while 17% were mixed-fed (g (babies receiving both breast and formula milk).
At the 6-8 week review, 42% of mothers were exclusively breastfeeding, and 25% were still mixed-feeding.
Breastfeeding rates at 12 months, recorded during developmental checks, show that 25% of babies were still breastfed at this age, with 20% exclusively breastfed and an additional 5% receiving both breast and formula milk.
