Mean age of women at birth of the first child

Not so long ago, having a child in your early twenties—or even late teens—was the norm. Our grandparents and parents often started families young. Fast-forward to today, though, and that pattern has shifted dramatically. In much of Europe, the first child now often arrives in the early to mid‑thirties.

The first map of Europe shows the average age of first‑time mothers in 2017, based on Eurostat and OECD data.

The map below, created by Reddi user: TheWorldMaps, shows when a woman has her first child in Europe in 2022.

Even within that brief five-year window, the change is clear. Spain’s average rose from 30.9 to 31.6, Italy from 31.0 to 31.7, and Ireland sits at 31.5 in 2022. We’re seeing a consistent upward move, and indications are that it’s not slowing.

Europe as a whole is moving toward later motherhood. We do see a slight delay in Eastern Europe—the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Belarus, and Bulgaria average around 26–28, compared to 30+ in the West. But the shift is happening everywhere, just at different paces.

So what’s causing this shift? It’s a mix of practical and social changes. In countries like France, Germany, and the Netherlands, it’s normal to finish university, build a career, and gain financial stability before thinking about children. Better access to birth control and fertility treatments also means women have more options, and often choose to wait.

Then there’s the economic side: in countries with high housing costs or job instability, like Italy and Spain, starting a family can feel risky until later in life. Surveys show that people delay having children mainly because of housing or income concerns.

Of course, waiting does come with trade-offs. Fertility naturally decreases after age 35, with a more rapid decline around 37, and risks like gestational diabetes or miscarriage rise. Medical advances help, but those biological realities haven’t changed.

Still, the decision about when to have a child tells us more than just demographic data—it reflects changing values, opportunities, and priorities. High maternal age can show that women have the freedom and support to make that choice, but it also raises questions about whether society is ready for these changes. Are our health systems prepared? Do we have enough support for older first-time moms? And what about childcare policies?

Interestingly, this isn’t just a European trend. In places like Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, and the U.S., the average age at first birth is also around 30. It seems growing education, career expectations, and urban living are stretching the life timeline, globally.