Zerohedge: Older Moms Now Outnumber Teen Moms in the US

Summary

For the first time in history, women over 40 are having more babies than teenagers in the United States. This significant shift is driven by several factors, including increased educational attainment, delayed marriages, and high housing costs that push back major life decisions. National data shows that births to women aged 40 and older have more than tripled since 1990, reaching 4.3% in 2025, and birth rates among women 40 to 49 have risen 24% in the last decade. Washington D.C. leads the nation with the highest rate of births to women in this age group, at 13.6 per 1,000 women, followed by New York, New Jersey, and Hawaii. Conversely, Southern states generally show lower rates, though even these areas are experiencing growth in later parenthood. The average age for first-time mothers is now a record 27.5 years, up from 21 in 1972. This trend suggests that longer periods spent on education and career development, combined with greater financial resources and potentially better outcomes for children of older parents, are reshaping the American family landscape. The article provides a valuable, data-driven overview of this demographic trend and is worth reading in full for a deeper understanding.