High birth rates among migrants pushing UKs population to a record high

High birth rate among immigrant families in Britain is pushing the nations population to a record high, official figures have revealed.

London, Dec 9 : High birth rate among immigrant families in Britain is pushing the nation's population to a record high, official figures have revealed.

According to the figures from Office for National Statistics (ONS), Britain has the highest birth rate in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities, both mainly Muslim.

The figures show that the birth rate among women who are born in Pakistan, but are living in the UK, is three times higher than the British-born women.

The figures released earlier also show that the population is anticipated to rise to 77 million by the middle of the century, or even 91 million at the highest forecast. It showed that 21.9 per cent of live births last year were to mothers born outside the UK, up from 20.8 per cent in 2005.

Separate figures to be released this month will also reveal whether Mohammed has become Britain's most popular name for baby boys.

Last year's score showed that Jack remained in first place, chosen for 6,928 babies, and Mohammad stood at the second with 5,991.

The ONS will release a compendium, this week, relating to the 669,531 babies born in England and Wales last year. The total was 3.7 per cent up on the previous year's figure, the fifth successive annual rise.

The average fertility rate has risen to 1.87 as compared to 1.63 five years ago.

The results also reveal which areas have the highest and lowest birth rates; the average age of parents when their first and subsequent babies are born; the proportion of children born to married and unmarried couples, and the number born to middle-class and working-class parents.

Of the total 669,531 births last year, 146,956 were to mothers born outside the UK. Among these, 25,948, or 3.9 per cent of total births, were to mothers born in Pakistan or Bangladesh, while 33,689, or five per cent, were to mothers born in Europe.

The Home Office has also announced that anyone seeking entrance in UK in order to marry a resident will need to pass an English test before he or she is granted a visa.

The minimum age for spouse visas will also rise from 18 to 21.

ANI