In 2021, approximately 36.5 percent of conceptions in England and Wales were within a marriage or civil partnership, while 63.5 percent occured outside of one. The trend shows more babies being conceived outside of marriage, with that gap growing significantly in recent years.
Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents
Characteristic
Within marriage/civil partnership
Outside marriage/civil partnership
2021
36.5%
63.5%
2020
38.7%
61.3%
2019
40.2%
59.8%
2018
40.7%
59.3%
2017
41.3%
58.7%
2016
42.2%
57.8%
2015
42.7%
57.3%
2014
42.7%
57.3%
2013
42.8%
57.2%
2012
42.8%
57.2%
2011
42.7%
57.3%
2010
42.9%
57.1%
2009
42.9%
57.1%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of conceptions45.1%45.1%44.8%44.8%44.1%44.1%43.7%43.7%43.3%43.3%42.9%42.9%42.9%42.9%42.7%42.7%42.8%42.8%42.8%42.8%42.7%42.7%42.7%42.7%42.2%42.2%41.3%41.3%40.7%40.7%40.2%40.2%38.7%38.7%36.5%36.5%54.9%54.9%55.2%55.2%55.9%55.9%56.3%56.3%56.7%56.7%57.1%57.1%57.1%57.1%57.3%57.3%57.2%57.2%57.2%57.2%57.3%57.3%57.3%57.3%57.8%57.8%58.7%58.7%59.3%59.3%59.8%59.8%61.3%61.3%63.5%63.5%Within marriage/civil partnershipOutside marriage/civil partnership200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021
35%40%45%50%55%60%65%
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (March 30, 2023). Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 18, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents." Chart. March 30, 2023. Statista. Accessed February 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2023). Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 18, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Distribution of Conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by Marital Status of Parents." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Mar 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/ (last visited February 18, 2025)
Distribution of conceptions in England and Wales from 2004 to 2021, by marital status of parents [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), March 30, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/297687/distribution-conceptions-england-and-wales-by-marital-status/
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