The Rising Age of Motherhood in the United States

Women in the United States are having children later in life. A new report, “Trends in Mean Age of Mothers in the United States, 2016 to 2023,” reveals that the average age of first-time mothers has increased from 26.6 years in 2016 to 27.5 years in 2023.

This trend isn’t limited to first-time moms; the average age for women having their second and third children has also increased by about one year.

• From 2016 to 2023, the percentage of first births to mothers under 25 dropped, with a 26% decrease for those under 20 and a 9% decline for those aged 20 to 24.
• Meanwhile, the percentage of births to mothers aged 25 to 29 remained steady at 28.5%.
• In contrast, first births for older mothers increased, with a 12.6% rise for those aged 30 to 34 and a 25% increase for mothers aged 35 and older.

This trend of delaying motherhood is observed across racial and ethnic groups analyzed in the report. Asian mothers tend to be the oldest when they have their first child, while mothers who are American Indian or Alaska Native are the youngest.

Location also plays a significant role in when women have children. Women living in urban areas are having children later than those in rural areas. In 2023, the average age for first-time mothers in urban areas was about 28.5 years, compared to around 24.8 years in rural regions.

The increase in the age of motherhood isn’t a new trend. Over the decades, the average age of mothers in the United States has been rising steadily. From 1970 to 2000, the average age increased by 2.6 years, and this trend continued between 2000 and 2014. The latest data show that this pattern is continuing.