In 26 of 39 European countries mothers give birth after 30 on average; in 1990 there was none
This is the mother's average age at a birth of any order, 2023. Cyprus: 31.7, against 27.2 in 1990. The youngest mothers are in Bulgaria: 27.9.
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Children in Europe come later and later: longer study, later work and a home of one's own, and first children postponed. When most mothers are over 30, fewer years remain for a second or third child.
Line: number of European countries (population 500,000+) where the mother's average age at birth is 30 or more; 39 countries in all.
- Europe, 1990: countries where mothers average 30+ countries
0 / 39
- Europe, 2023: countries where mothers average 30+ countries
26 / 39
- Cyprus: mother's mean age years
1990: 27.2; 2023: 31.7
UN World Population Prospects 2024: mean age of mothers at childbearing, all births. European countries in the UN grouping with 500,000+ people.
This is the age at any birth, not only the first: the mean age at first birth is lower but rises the same way. In 1970 a high mean age came from large families with late children; now from late first births.
A question for this picture
And when do young people leave home? In seven European countries, after 30 on average.