Women in the U.S. are more likely to delay motherhood now, compared to decades past, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than two decades ago the average age of a first-time mother was 24.9. Now, the average woman or birthing person is having their first child at 27.5 – a record high in the country.
Researchers have found that a major factor in this change of age is the decline of teen moms. The birth rate for teens ages 15 to 19 was 13.2 births per 1,000 women in 2023, a 3% decrease from the previous year. The birth rate for teens has steadily dropped every year since 1991, with exceptions in 2006 and 2007, according to the CDC.
Here’s how the average age of mothers has changed over the years:
Why are people waiting longer to have kids?
Women are prioritizing higher education and their careers, leading to a delay in motherhood.
Data from the CDC shows that women who had their first child at 30 or older were more likely to have a bachelor’s degree. Over 40% of first-time mothers in this age range had a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Financial concerns including childcare costs and rising living costs have led more women and birthing people to delay starting a family. It has become more common for people to wait longer to get married or find a partner.
Fertility options for those who have trouble becoming pregnant are becoming more accessible, in some cases. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a type of fertility treatment that involves retrieving eggs,…
