Falling numbers of young people in Shropshire could lead to a shortage of skilled workers and damage to the county’s economic development, a shock new report has revealed.

Since 1991, numbers in the 16 to 29 age group have fallen 18 per cent, compared to a fall of 12 per cent nationally. The group accounts for 14 per cent of the county’s population compared to 19 per cent for England.

“This reduction is partly influenced by long-term falling birth rates and partly due to young people choosing to spread their wings at this age, to attend university, travel or to find work,” says the report from the county council’s sustainability group.

In Shropshire there has been a fall of 14 per cent in the birth rate compared to a national fall of 11 per cent.

The number of people aged 30 to 44 has risen only six per cent compared to 11 per cent nationally. Twenty six per cent of county people are over the age of 60, against 21 per cent in England.

“Significantly 21 per cent of the population in Shropshire are aged 50 to 64 years and are approaching retirement age,” says the report, which excludes Telford & Wrekin. “This compares to 18 per cent of the national population.”

The report says these changes will need to be taken into account when planning public services.

Looking at the economic implications, it warns: “There may be fewer economically active younger people to support the older population, resulting in a smaller pool of labour available to work, and also a skills gap, leading to difficulties for employers in recruiting appropriately skilled workers.

“Potentially this could have a further impact on the economic development of the county.”

By Dave Morris