Comparing changing age-specific fertility across the United Kingdom using Lexis diagrams

Within the constituent parts of the United Kingdom (UK) there are many differing demographic characteristics which are not routinely researched and understood. Among these characteristics are age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) which differ between the constituent countries of the UK. This paper aims to address a gap in the fertility literature by using the Lexis diagram to explore fertility trends within the UK. This work explores differing ASFRs using Lexis diagrams to allow for detailed analysis, interpretation and display of changes in fertility that have occurred. Lexis diagrams have not previously been used in the analysis of fertility for the constituent parts of the UK, yet are ideal for making such fine-grained comparisons as they show age at birth, year of birth and cohort trends simultaneously. The essence of this paper is the exploration of trends in fertility in the constituent countries of the UK for the period (1950-2008). The analysis is simple in terms of the output, with a gradient of colours showing contrasting high and low rates in the period of interest. The research shows that there are subtle differences between the constituent countries of the UK and over time a gradual convergence may be occurrin