A team from LSHTM are carrying out a study to explore recent trends in fertility in Britain. People are having fewer children than before, more people are having no children and those who do are having them later and the reasons are, as yet, unclear. The study combines new analyses of Natsal 4 data with data from in-depth interviews with selected Natsal 4 respondents who agreed to take part in further research. These respondents were sent a letter at the end of 2025 describing the FIESTA study and invited to participate. In their interviews they are asked about their intentions to have children, how these have changed over time, and according to what influences. By increasing understanding of the influences on recent trends in fertility, the team hope to guide and inform policies aimed at supporting people in reaching their preferred fertility goals.
For more information see the FIESTA study web page.