The city has seen a faster rate of decline in the number of children than the whole of the rest of the UK according to the London Assembly, which last week asked if the capital could become childless.
A GLA report has predicted the plummeting birth rates are set to continue along with declining numbers of young children in schools.
So why don’t Londoners want to have kids anymore?
Research suggests many would-be parents are flocking away from the capital to start a family, whether drawn back to their hometowns or forced out by the spiralling price of housing.
But costs weren’t the main concern for Marliese Sale who raised her two children in Bournemouth.
She says she “absolutely did not consider bringing up children in London” and sought a “slower pace of life” by the coast instead.
Southbourne beach, 10 minutes from Marliese’s home
Having grown up in North London, Marliese knows the joys of a childhood spent in the city from visiting the free museums to exploring Epping Forest.
But she says staying for her would depend on having “easy access to the many large, beautiful, open spaces”.
Earlier this month the London Assembly published a survey showing only about 40% of Londoners consider the capital to be a suitable place to raise a family.
The Economy, Skills, and Culture Committee said it “cannot allow London to become a place where only a small number of families can afford to live” and set out steps to make it a more child-friendly city.
It said the Mayor should bolster requirements in the London Plan to ensure more homes that are suitable for children.
Simona and Tanguy Fautre live in Zone 1 London and have mixed opinions on raising their two young children in the city.
Tanguy says his dream would be to bring them up somewhere closer to nature and London is just a “convenient” place to live right now.
Fautre family, photographed by Chloe Krog
Simona has a “more balanced mum view” of raising her children in the capital, and says they are grateful for all that the city has to offer.
Tanguy acknowledges “there is always something to see or do”, and his children are “lucky” to experience so much in London.
Right now, for Simona and Tanguy, “London is particularly tough with young children” but they see a glimmer of hope as they think the city will be a “more attractive experience” when their children are older.
Londoners don’t want kids
Londoners who do not already have children were asked if they plan to have children in the future.
The proportion of people who said they did or didn’t want kids was broadly the same.
Miah Herford – Canva – YouGov for GLA
Reluctance to start a family in the capital could be based on many reasons says the GLA, be it financial, environmental, career priorities, or not finding the right partner.
But the main reason is simple – they don’t want them.
Miah Herford – Canva – YouGov for GLA
Is it really that bad?
London was recently announced the second best city in the world to raise a family, by Compare the Market.
With its multiple green spaces, relative safety, good parental leave and many (often free) things for children and families to do, it’s plain why London is good for some families.
Chris, a children’s librarian for Southwark libraries, happily raised her children in London.
She says “libraries bring people together” and the commitment from staff and volunteers make the multiple free activities accessible for families.
With libraries also acting as a signpost to agencies that provide help to parents, families can benefit in many ways.
John Harvard Library, Southwark
Chris mentioned that even though she wouldn’t have brought her children up anywhere else, London is “very expensive”, and as a parent, having a “work life balance is not realistic” in the capital.
Some love London to raise a family, others like Tanguy say it’s “logistically a nightmare”.
It really is up in the air if London is a good city to raise a family.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineCould London really become childless?
Short HeadlineFamilies are continuing to flee London
StandfirstAs families leave London, the city is announced the second best in the world to raise a family
Far fewer families are having children in London.
The city has seen a faster rate of decline in the number of children than the whole of the rest of the UK according to the London Assembly, which last week asked if the capital could become childless.
A GLA report has predicted the plummeting birth rates are set to continue along with declining numbers of young children in schools.
So why don’t Londoners want to have kids anymore?
Research suggests many would-be parents are flocking away from the capital to start a family, whether drawn back to their hometowns or forced out by the spiralling price of housing.
But costs weren’t the main concern for Marliese Sale who raised her two children in Bournemouth.
She says she “absolutely did not consider bringing up children in London” and sought a “slower pace of life” by the coast instead.
Southbourne beach, 10 minutes from Marliese’s home
Having grown up in North London, Marliese knows the joys of a childhood spent in the city from visiting the free museums to exploring Epping Forest.
But she says staying for her would depend on having “easy access to the many large, beautiful, open spaces”.
Earlier this month the London Assembly published a survey showing only about 40% of Londoners consider the capital to be a suitable place to raise a family.
The Economy, Skills, and Culture Committee said it “cannot allow London to become a place where only a small number of families can afford to live” and set out steps to make it a more child-friendly city.
It said the Mayor should bolster requirements in the London Plan to ensure more homes that are suitable for children.
Simona and Tanguy Fautre live in Zone 1 London and have mixed opinions on raising their two young children in the city.
Tanguy says his dream would be to bring them up somewhere closer to nature and London is just a “convenient” place to live right now.
Fautre family, photographed by Chloe Krog
Simona has a “more balanced mum view” of raising her children in the capital, and says they are grateful for all that the city has to offer.
Tanguy acknowledges “there is always something to see or do”, and his children are “lucky” to experience so much in London.
Right now, for Simona and Tanguy, “London is particularly tough with young children” but they see a glimmer of hope as they think the city will be a “more attractive experience” when their children are older.
Londoners don’t want kids
Londoners who do not already have children were asked if they plan to have children in the future.
The proportion of people who said they did or didn’t want kids was broadly the same.
Miah Herford – Canva – YouGov for GLA
Reluctance to start a family in the capital could be based on many reasons says the GLA, be it financial, environmental, career priorities, or not finding the right partner.
But the main reason is simple – they don’t want them.
Miah Herford – Canva – YouGov for GLA
Is it really that bad?
London was recently announced the second best city in the world to raise a family, by Compare the Market.
With its multiple green spaces, relative safety, good parental leave and many (often free) things for children and families to do, it’s plain why London is good for some families.
Chris, a children’s librarian for Southwark libraries, happily raised her children in London.
She says “libraries bring people together” and the commitment from staff and volunteers make the multiple free activities accessible for families.
With libraries also acting as a signpost to agencies that provide help to parents, families can benefit in many ways.
John Harvard Library, Southwark
Chris mentioned that even though she wouldn’t have brought her children up anywhere else, London is “very expensive”, and as a parent, having a “work life balance is not realistic” in the capital.
Some love London to raise a family, others like Tanguy say it’s “logistically a nightmare”.
It really is up in the air if London is a good city to raise a family.
