Foreign-born women accounted for more than one-in-five births in the UK last year, new government figures have shown.

An analysis of the information compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) pointed towards a 'baby boom' with the current UK fertility rate found to be the highest since 1980, at 1.84.

Of women who gave birth in the UK, 21 per cent were foreign born.

In 2006 more than 150,000 foreign-born women gave birth in Britain, with immigrant women having a fertility rate of 2.5.

Commenting on the findings, national statistician Karen Dunnell said: "Although international migration is certainly having an impact on UK births, the relationship between international migration and fertility is not at all straightforward.

"International immigration... can affect both the size and structure of the female population of childbearing age, and thus the number of women who can potentially have children."

Shadow home secretary David Davis claimed that the figures showed "all too clearly the impact immigration can have on the public sector infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, and why the government must answer our calls to take these factors into account".

Looking further ahead, the ONS predicted that the UK population will hit 65 million by 2016 and by 2031, will surpass 71 million.