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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
David Clark

New figures detail the most popular day to be born with Boxing Day the rarest

More people are born on September 27 in England and Wales than on any other day, according to official figures.

The Office of National Statistics released figures showing the average number of births for each date, with December 26 seeing the fewest babies being born.

The data for births from 2001 to 2021 has been used by analysts to create an interactive graph, which allows you to see the average number of people born on any given date.

Over the 20-year period, an average of 1,993 people were born on September 27 each year.

That was almost 50% more than the December 26 average of 1,345.

ONS figures show the average number of births per date over a 20-year period (ONS)

The rest of the top five most popular dates were within a week of September 27, with September 24 (1,987), September 25 (1,980), October 1 and September 23 (both 1,979) also likely.

It is thought September birthdays are more common because some parents are keen to have their children be the oldest in their school year, although it could also be down to couples being more likely to have sex over the Christmas break.

Christmas Day and New Year's Day followed Boxing Day as the next least likely date of birth, with averages of 1,416 and 1,563 respectively.

December 27 and 28 round out the top five, the Daily Mail reports, with 1,650 and 1,722 births each day respectively.

There are thought to be fewer births over Christmas because of a drop in planned Caesarean sections (Getty Images/Westend61)

The number of Bank Holidays over the festive season make births less common because there will be fewer induced births and planned Caesarean sections.

April 1 also featured low down the list with an average of 1,722 births, which analysts believe is because some couples may elect not to have a child born on April Fool's Day if possible.

February 29 also ranked low down in 355th position, with an average of 1,752 people being born on the date which only occurs every four years.

Other ONS data released showed that the average age of mothers is continuing to get older, with women waiting until they are almost 31 to give birth.

The average age of dads remained at 33.7 years, while for the first time there were more children born out of wedlock than to married couples.

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