英国国家统计局（Office for National Statistics）发表的数据显示，2018年，英格兰和威尔士的人口出生率，按总人口的比例衡量，降至历史最低点。

 

Just over 657,000 babies were born in England and Wales in 2018, the fewest since 2005 and the lowest rate since records began more than 80 years ago. 

2018年，英格兰和威尔士的婴儿出生人数刚刚超过65.7万，为2005年以来最少的一年，也是自80多年前有记录以来的最低水平。

 

It is the third year in a row that it's come down and echoes a similar decline in other countries, including France and Australia. 

这是该数据连续第三年下降，与包括法国和澳大利亚在内的其它一些国家的类似下降趋势相呼应。 

 

The Office for National Statistics says falling fertility rates have been exaggerated by an ageing population. The proportion of older people, compared with women who are of childbearing age, is increasing. 

英国国家统计局表示，人口出生率下降被人口老龄化现象夸大。与育龄妇女人数相比，老年人口的比例正在增加。