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Top Countries Where Women Are Waiting Longer to Have Their First Child in 2025
Iceland Sets the Pace with the Highest Average Age at First Birth
In 2025, Iceland proudly leads the world with women choosing to become mothers at an average age of 31.4 years. This trend reflects a broader shift across developed nations, emphasizing the changing dynamics in family planning, career pursuits, and societal expectations.
Scandinavian Countries Continue to Prioritize Education and Careers
Norway and Sweden follow Iceland closely, with women typically having their first child at 29.8 and 30.1 years, respectively. These nations have long been champions of gender equality and family-friendly policies, allowing women to balance their professional ambitions with personal life choices.
- Finland and Denmark also observe high average ages for first-time mothers—30.0 and 30.2 years—highlighting the region’s focus on supporting women through education, career development, and flexible family planning options.
Western Europe’s Evolving Family Planning Trends
Countries such as France (30.3 years), Germany (30.4 years), and Switzerland (31.0 years) are seeing women delaying childbirth, with many prioritizing education and career advancements before starting families. This shift also mirrors increasing urbanization and access to reproductive health services.
North America: A Slight Delay Compared to Europe
In North America, the average age at first birth is just under 30 years, with the United States at 29.4 years and Canada at 29.6 years. Interestingly, countries like Australia (29.7 years) and New Zealand (29.3 years) share similar patterns, emphasizing a global trend toward later motherhood.
Eastern Asia and the Rise of Mature Parenthood
South Korea and Japan maintain relatively high ages at first childbirth—both around 30.9 and 30.9 years, respectively—reflecting societal pressures to prioritize career and education before parenthood. These countries are witnessing shifts in cultural expectations, although traditional values still influence family planning decisions.
Latin America and the Caribbean Show Increasing Maturity
In Latin America, the landscape is shifting with Brazil averaging 27.2 years and Argentina at 27.1. These figures indicate a trend towards delayed motherhood, driven by urbanization, increased female participation in the workforce, and expanding access to education.
Africa: Still Characterized by Earlier Births
African nations generally record lower average ages for first-time mothers, with South Africa at 24.9 years and Nigeria at 25.2. These differences often relate to cultural factors, economic conditions, and family structures that influence reproductive timing.
South Asia and Southeast Asia: The Youngest New Mothers
Countries like India (25.8 years) and Vietnam (26.4 years) show women having their first child at relatively younger ages compared to the global average. Despite rapid development, social norms and access to reproductive health services play significant roles here.
The Global Perspective: A Clear Shift Toward Later Motherhood
The data from 2025 confirms a global trend: women are choosing to delay their first child, often until their early thirties. This delay is influenced by various factors, including educational attainment, career aspirations, access to healthcare, and evolving societal roles. Governments and policymakers are increasingly focusing on supporting women during these transitional life phases through family-friendly policies, maternity leave, and reproductive health services.
The figures above are sourced from the OECD Family Database, the United Nations Population Division, and the World Bank, reflecting the latest demographic research for 2025.
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