SF2.3 - Age of mothers at childbirth and age-specific fertility

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi

SF2.3 summarizes the age of mothers at childbirth and fertility patterns across age groups, using two measures: the mean age of mothers at childbirth (overall and first births) and age-specific fertility rates. Rates are presented per five-year age bands, with emphasis on adolescent fertility (ages 15–19). OECD findings highlight rising average maternal age from 1970 to 2024 in most countries, while Colombia and Mexico show declines, linked to postponement of first births.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryGeneral

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Definitions and methodology

Key findings

Notes and data sources

Restricted use and policy notes

Trends since 1970 and drivers

Chart SF2.3.B: Mean age of women at birth of first child, 2000 and 2024 or latest available

SF2.3: Age of mothers at childbirth and age-specific fertility Definitions and methodology This indicator contains information on the age of mothers at childbirth and levels of fertility across age groups. It is based on two main measures: • Mean age of mothers at childbirth, calculated as the simple mean average age in years of women at birth of their child in a given year. The mean age of mothers at childbirth is shown both for all childbirths and also for first births only. • Age-specific fertility rates , calculated as the number of births per 1000 women of a given age in a given year. As a means of simplification, age-specific fertility rates are presented here per five-year age group and with particularly focus on fertility among adolescent (15-19 year old) women. Key findings In most OECD countries, the average age at which women give birth stood at 31.1 years of age in 2024 (Chart SF2 .3.A) . Only in two OECD countries-Colombia and Mexico was the mean age of women at childbirth below 28 , and in Costa Rica , the Slovak Republic, Türkiye and the United States it was between 28 and 30. In all other OECD countries , the average age of women at childbirth is at least 30 years of age , and in Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan , Korea, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland, the average age is above 32. Chart SF2.3.A. Mean age of women at childbirth, 1970, 2000 and 2024 or latest available Notes: 1. Data for the United Kingdom refer to England & Wales only. 2. For 2024, data for Australia and United States refer to 2023, for United Kingdom to 2022; for 1970 data for Colombia refer to 1969, for Spain to 1971. Sources: For European countries and Türkiye, Eurostat Demographic Statistics: Fertility rates by age; for Australia, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare: Women who gave birth, by maternal age; for Canada, Statistics Canada: Mean age of mother at time of delivery (live) births; for Chile, calculations based on INE: Estadísticas Vitales; for Colombia, calculations based on DANE: Datos de nacimientos en Colombia; for Costa Rica, calculations based on INEC: Nacimientos; for Israel, CBS: Average Age of Mother at Birth and at First Birth; for Japan, Official Statistics of Japan: Vital Statistics – Natality; for Korea, KOSIS: Mean Age of Mother by Birth Order; for Mexico, calculations based on INEGI: Natalidad; for New Zealand, Statistics New Zealand: Median age of mother; for the United Kingdom, ONS: Standardized mean age of mother by birth order; for the United States, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: National Vital Statistics Reports-Mean age of mother by live-birth order; for all other countries, United Nations World Fertility Data. Other relevant indicators: Family size and composition (SF1 . 1); Fertility rates (SF2 . 1); Share of births outside marriage (SF2 .4); and Marriage and divorce rates (SF3 . 1) . The statistical data for Israel are supplied by and under the responsibility of the relevant Israeli authorities. The use of such data by the OECD is without prejudice to the status of the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank under the terms of international law. Note by Türkiye: The information in this document with reference to “Cyprus” relates to the southern part of the Island. There is no single authority representing both Turkish and Greek Cypriot people on the Island. Türkiye recognises the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) . Until a lasting and equitable solution is found within the context of the United Nations, Türkiye shall preserve its position concerning the “Cyprus issue”. Note by all the European Union Member States of the OECD and the European Union: The Republic of Cyprus is recognised by all members of the United Nations with the exception of Türkiye. The information in this document relates to the area under the effective control of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. Restricted Use- À usage restreint Most OECD

FAQs

What does the SF2.3 indicator measure?

It measures the age of mothers at childbirth and fertility levels across age groups, using mean maternal age and age-specific fertility rates.

How is the mean age of mothers at childbirth calculated in this indicator?

It is the simple mean average age (in years) of women at the birth of their child in a given year, shown for all childbirths and for first births only.

How are age-specific fertility rates presented?

They are births per 1,000 women of a given age in a given year, grouped in five-year age bands with special focus on adolescents aged 15–19.

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Mimi