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- US women waiting longer to have children, CDC data shows (abcnews.go.com)
American mothers are waiting longer to have children, with the average age of first-time mothers reaching 27.5 in 2023, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This represents a notable increase from 26.6 in 2016, and continues a decades-long trend of delayed parenthood. The average age for all mothers, regardless of birth order, climbed to 29.6, up from 28.7 in 2016.
This shift is visible across demographics, although disparities remain. While the trend affects all racial and ethnic groups, Asian women had the highest average age at first birth (31.5 years), while White women averaged 28.3 years. Black and Hispanic women had similar averages, at 25.9 and 25.7 years, respectively.
Location also plays a role. Women in major metropolitan areas tend to become first-time mothers later (28.5 years old) compared to their counterparts in rural areas (24.8 years old).
The change is particularly striking among older mothers. First births for women 35 and older jumped 25% between 2016 and 2023. Conversely, births for women under 25 fell by 26% during the same period.
Experts suggest several factors are driving this trend. Dr.
Andrei Rebarber, director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Mount Sinai West, cites financial stability, career goals, and the timing of stable relationships as significant influences. He also notes that advances in reproductive technology give individuals more control over family planning.
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- US women waiting longer to have children, CDC data shows (abcnews.go.com)