The age at which a woman has her first child has been increasing in many developed countries over the past few decades. There are a variety of factors that influence the age at which a woman becomes a mother for the first time, including educational, career and economic factors as well as social norms and access to contraception. This article will explore the trends in age at first birth, the reasons behind the changes, and the health and social implications.
Trends in Age at First Birth
According to the CDC, in 2019, the mean age at first birth for U.S. women was 26.9 years. This has steadily increased over the past 40 years – in 1979, the average age was 22.7. Some key trends include:
- In 2019, only 3% of first births were to teenage mothers aged 15-19, down from 11% in 2000.
- The percentage of first births to women aged 30-34 increased from 16% in 2000 to 24% in 2019.
- The percentage of first births to women aged 35 and over doubled from 4% in 2000 to 8% in 2019.
Similar trends have occurred across most OECD countries. In 1970, the average age at first birth was 25.2, compared to 29.4 in 2019. Countries like Italy, Spain, Luxembourg and Switzerland now have an average age at first birth over 30.
Age at First Birth by Country in 2019
| Country | Average Age at First Birth |
|---|---|
| Japan | 30.7 |
| Italy | 31.3 |
| Spain | 30.9 |
| Switzerland | 30.5 |
| South Korea | 31.8 |
| Australia | 29.8 |
| United States | 26.9 |
| Mexico | 24.7 |
Reasons for Delaying Motherhood
There are several societal shifts that have influenced the increase in age at first birth over the past few decades:
Educational Attainment
More women are pursuing higher education, with college enrollment rates for women now exceeding men. Staying in school longer naturally delays marriage and childbearing ages. The percentage of first-time mothers with a bachelor’s degree increased from 24% in 2000 to 42% in 2014.
Career Pursuits
Many women now choose to establish themselves in their careers before starting a family. Having children can hamper career advancement and earnings potential. Delaying allows women to improve job skills, seniority and wages to better support a family.
Access to Contraception
Greater access to effective contraception such as birth control pills has allowed women to delay pregnancy while remaining sexually active. In the 1970s, just 9% of girls aged 15-19 used the pill, compared to 40% by 2013.
Partnership Patterns
On average, women are now marrying and entering committed partnerships at older ages. This is attributed to more women seeking financial independence and extended education. The median age at first marriage went from 20 in 1960 to 28 in 2019.
Economic Factors
The high costs of housing, education and childcare may motivate women to delay motherhood. Couples may wait until they are more financially secure before having children. Maternity leave policies and job protection also play a role.
Social Acceptance
Increased social acceptance of premarital sex, contraception, delayed marriage and childbearing have also contributed to women waiting longer before starting families.
Health Impacts of Delayed Childbearing
While delayed childbearing allows women greater opportunity, there are some health implications:
- Declining fertility – a woman’s peak fertility is in her twenties, after which it gradually declines.
- Increased risk of infertility – risk of infertility rises gradually after age 32 and more rapidly after 37.
- Pregnancy complications – risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and cesarean delivery is higher.
- Genetic risks – risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome is higher.
- Breastfeeding challenges – decreased breast elasticity can make breastfeeding harder.
Despite these risks, most women under 40 who desire a pregnancy will successfully have a child through natural conception or assisted reproductive technologies.
Social Impacts
There are also some social and demographic impacts of delayed childbearing, including:
- Lower overall fertility rates, contributing to population ageing in developed countries.
- Smaller family sizes, with many women having just one or two children.
- Less time for grandparents to spend with grandchildren as generations overlap less.
- Potential strain of having infants and aging parents simultaneously.
- Challenges for women reconciling work and family, with peak career and childbearing years overlapping.
Conclusion
Over the past 40 years, the average age at which a woman has her first child has substantially increased across developed countries. This reflects expanding educational and career options for women, greater access to contraception, changing partnership patterns and economic factors. While delayed childbearing poses some health risks, most women up to their late 30s will still successfully have children, and the social benefits likely outweigh potential costs for many families. Understanding the trends and reasons behind delayed motherhood can help societies support women in balancing careers, relationships and parenthood.