The Rising Age of US Moms: A Reflection of Changing Societal Trends and Attitudes
In a new report released by the National Vital Statistics System, it has been revealed that the average age for giving birth in the US has risen to nearly 30 years old for the first time. The data, published in the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics report on Friday, shows that the average age for giving birth has increased by almost a year from 2016 to 2023, going from 28.7 years old to 29.6. Similarly, the age for first-time mothers has also risen over the same time period, from 26.6 to 27.5.
This trend is not entirely surprising, as many people are delaying marriage until later in life. According to a 2021 Pew Research report, the average age for tying the knot has risen dramatically since the 1980s. The number of US adults who were married by age 21 dropped from about 33% in 1980 to 6% in 2021, and marrying by age 25 also plummeted from nearly 66% to 22%.
However, it’s not just marriage that is being delayed. The same report shows that about 25% of US adults were still unmarried at age 40, a record number. The fact that it has become more expensive to have a family likely plays a role in women delaying having children or not having any at all. A recent LendingTree analysis found that since 2023, the annual cost of raising a young child has jumped by nearly 36%, with the total cost over 18 years reaching $300,000 (though in several states, it’s even higher).
Women are also increasingly becoming financially independent and perhaps decentering the goal of marriage and motherhood at the same time. In 2024, 20% of homebuyers were single women, while only 8% of single men bought their own homes last year. And a 2019 Morgan Stanley report projected that by 2030, 45% of women between 25 and 44 will be single and child-free.
The rise in average age for giving birth is not unique to the US, as recent government data from The Guardian shows that Japanese women are also delaying motherhood. In 2024, the number of births in Japan dropped by 5.7% from the previous year, to 686,061, marking the lowest birth rate since recordkeeping began in 1899.
As the Trump administration has recently floated the idea of incentivizing childbirth by giving families a $5,000 “baby bonus” to help offset the costs, it’s unlikely that this plan will persuade many American women to have babies before they are financially ready and able (or even at all). The hospital bills alone for giving birth in the US can average around $3,000 (for a vaginal delivery with insurance).
In conclusion, the rise in average age for giving birth is a reflection of changing societal trends and attitudes towards marriage and motherhood. While some may see this as a problem, others may view it as an opportunity for women to pursue their own goals and aspirations without being tied down by traditional roles and expectations.
