What is the average age for women in the UK to have their first child?

Over the past few years the age at which women have their first child has sharply increased. Currently the average age for women in the UK to have their first child is 29.5 years.

What used to be the average age for women to have their first child?

In the past century the average age a woman had her first child was considerably lower than it is now. In the 70’s women had their first child when they were 24.1 years. Since then the average age has only increased. For the past 3 years the average age to have a first child has stayed relatively stable.

Why are women waiting longer to have their first child?

The most important reason why women are having their first child at a later age is due to the rise of birth control in the 70’s. Another reason is that women are now educated for longer, and at a higher level. They now play an important role in the labour market.

What is the average age of having a first child in other countries?

Women in the US have on average their first child the youngest, namely at 25 years old. Women in East-European countries also tend to have their first child at a younger age. In Bulgaria and Romania the average age of having a first child is 26.5 years. In Spain, Italy and Ireland women have their first child later, like in the UK. The average age for them is 29.4 years.

See besides average age to have first child also:
Average Age to get Married 
Average Number of Children
Average Age to Lose Virginity
Average Age Babies Walk