According to an Australian newspaper, new research reveals that, if trends continue, 50% of all babies in Britain will be born out of wedlock by the year 2012. More than half of all families will consist of unmarried couples, and up to one-third could become single-parent families.

The report also states that, of European nations, Britain has the fourth highest level of out-of-wedlock births, after Sweden, Denmark and France.

The percentage of unmarried cohabiting British couples is expected to rise to about 18%, up from 13% in 2001.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald