Birth Rates

• The birth rate in the UK has significantly fluctuated since 1900, typically correlating with significant social events and changing societal norms.
• There was a notable Baby Boom following both World Wars as a result of soldiers returning home, leading to spikes in birth rates.
• Over the 20th century, the birth rate gradually declined due to several factors including the increased availability and acceptance of contraception, financial pressures, women's increased participation in the workforce, and changing societal attitudes towards family planning.

Death Rates

• In the early 1900s, the death rate was relatively high due to factors like poor living and working conditions, and the lack of medical advancements.
• Since receiving significant improvements in healthcare, living conditions, and diet, the death rate has gradually declined – this trend is known as the epidemiologic transition.

Marriage and Divorce Rates

• The early 20th century saw a high marriage rate due to social pressures and economic necessity. Marriage was considered the norm and a fundamental institution of society.
• The divorce rate was very low in the early 1900s as it was considered socially unacceptable and was legally difficult to access.
• Post 1960's, both marriage and divorce rates have significantly fluctuated. Increased accessibility and acceptability of divorce has led to a rise in divorce rates. Simultaneously, societal attitudes towards marriage have changed, contributing to falling marriage rates.
• In more recent years, there has been a rise in cohabitation (unmarried couples living together), and a growing acceptance and occurrence of same-sex marriages.

Age Structure

• Life expectancy has risen significantly since 1900 due to improvements in healthcare and living conditions.
• The percentage of the population aged 65 and over has grown due to the increasing life expectancy coupled with declining birth rates.
• This trend towards an aging population presents social challenges like the need for increased pension provisions and healthcare services.

Migration Patterns

• The UK has seen various waves of immigration throughout the 20th century. This includes post-WW2 immigration from commonwealth countries, Eastern European migration following EU enlargement, and refugees fleeing conflict zones.
• This migration has significantly influenced the multicultural composition of the UK's population and family patterns, such as the occurrence of transnational families.

Household Size and Structure

• Since the 20th century, the average household size in the UK has reduced due to declining birth rates and the increased occurrence of smaller family structures such as the nuclear family, single-parent families, childless couples and single person households.
• Despite this trend, there is still considerable diversity in household size due to factors such as cultural, ethnic and regional variations, and the continued existence of extended families.

Concluding Thoughts

• Overall, demographic trends in the UK since 1900 have been shaped by a host of social, economic, political and cultural changes. These trends have further implications for societal institutions, social policy, and our collective understanding of family and household structures in contemporary society. Understanding these historical shifts are crucial to the sociological study of families and households.