Baby boom in decline as younger women delay motherhood
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that the number of women giving birth in their 40s has trebled since 1991, although the baby boom of the past 10 years has evened out as younger women have fewer babies.
According to the Telegraph, women aged between 20 and 24 and 35 to 39 had fewer babies, while those aged 25 to 34 and over 40 had more.
This means that the average age of motherhood has risen slightly over the past few years to 29.7.
The ONS said the current economic climate deterred couples from having children until they are older as women focus on their career in order to get onto the housing ladder or strive for financial security.
IVF and other fertility treatment have helped older women become mothers. According to The Sun, another reason is that women said it had taken them longer to find the right partner.
The statistics also showed that nearly half of babies are born to parents who are not married.
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