HOW TO SURVIVE THE 21ST CENTURY

The second episode of our three-part guide to the future considers our prospects at a more human level. What will happen to the family, now that fewer and fewer people aspire to traditional ideals of monogamy? What sort of education will our children ne...

n In 1981, there were 7.1 marriages for every 1,000 people; in 1992, 5.4 per 1,000.

n In 1981, there were 2.8 divorces for every 1,000 people; in 1992, 3 per 1,000.

n In 1961, there were 27,000 divorces in the UK; in 1971, 79,200; in 1992, 175,100.

n 30 per cent of single women aged between 25 and 34 are cohabiting.

n In 1991, there were 9.3 conceptions for every 1,000 women under the age of 16.

n In 1963, roughly one live birth in 20 occurred outside marriage. In 1993, the figure was nearly one in three.

n It is thought that around three of every four births outside marriage in 1993 took place within stable relationships

n In 1991, 21 per cent of families with dependent children were single- parent families. In 1971, the figure was 9 per cent.