More people with Down syndrome
Over the past 50 years, life expectancy in many countries has risen from 12 years to 60 years.
There are now approximately 480,000 people with Down syndrome living in Europe and North America today.
More births and longer lives
There are now approximately 480,000 people with Down syndrome living in Europe and North America today.
There are perhaps 3 million people living with Down syndrome around the globe.
Around the world, more than 250,000 babies with Down syndrome are born every year. Over 10,000 babies
are born with Down syndrome each year in Europe and North America alone.
Over the past 50 years, life expectancy in many countries has risen from 12 years to 60 years, dramatically
increasing the number of people living with Down syndrome.
Prenatal testing is not eliminating Down syndrome
Although prenatal testing is now widely available in some countries, the overall number of babies being
born has not fallen dramatically in recent years.
Not all families choose screening and not all of those who receive a prenatal diagnosis choose termination.
In the UK, where prenatal testing is routinely offered to all pregnant women and where nationwide surveillance
is in place, as many babies with Down syndrome are being born today as there were 20 years ago.
Meanwhile, trends towards later child rearing are increasing the likelihood of babies with Down syndrome
being born.