Changing Trends in Motherhood: Fewer Young Mothers, More Older Moms in the U.S.
In recent years, the United States has witnessed a notable shift in motherhood trends. While fewer women in their 20s are choosing to become mothers, women in their 30s and 40s are increasingly embracing parenthood. This change is reflected in the latest federal data, which shows a decline in overall birth rates but an increase among older women.
Sarah Harris, a Vermont resident, exemplifies this trend. At 36, she gave birth to her daughter Bridget. Harris describes the joys and challenges of late motherhood, saying, “When you have a baby in your mid-30s, what you gain in wisdom and experience you also lose in terms of energy.” After being laid off four months post-delivery, Harris is navigating her career and life with a child, reflecting a broader pattern of financial uncertainty delaying pregnancy decisions.
The high cost of raising children also plays a significant role in these decisions. Harris notes, “I think in another era or another life or another scenario, I might have had more children.” She believes the current societal climate influences reproductive choices significantly.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a continued decline in the general fertility rate, with a 1% drop in 2025, marking a two-decade trend toward fewer births. Notably, the birth rate for women aged 20 to 24 dropped by 6%, while those in their late teens experienced a 7% decline. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta highlights that Gen Z women are significantly less inclined to have children compared to previous generations.
Multiple factors contribute to this trend, including enhanced labor market opportunities, increased financial costs, shifting priorities, and concerns about maternal health. Dr. Tanise Branche, medical director of labor and delivery at Temple Health, observes that many young women are redefining their life scripts, focusing on personal achievements before considering parenthood.
Older Women Embrace Motherhood
Conversely, the CDC data also reveals a rise in birth rates among women aged 30 to 45. Dr. Branche, who is currently expecting her fourth child at 43, shares that more women are opting to establish careers and stable lives before embracing motherhood.
This shift results in fewer children in the U.S. The population under 18 is steadily declining, with reports indicating a drop of more than 1 million from 2010 to 2020. Experts suggest that many women would have more children if they could afford them, with adequate support in housing, daycare, and health insurance.
Anna Louie Sussman, author of Inconceivable, notes, “The fact that there are a lot of people who still say they want families, but don’t feel like they’re able to have them [is a concern].” Sussman herself delayed motherhood, opting to freeze her eggs and wait until her 40s to have a child due to financial and career considerations.
As birth rates continue to fall and women pursue diverse life paths, the demographic landscape of the U.S. is evolving. The median age is climbing, reaching 39.4 years in 2025, with some states experiencing population decline, including Vermont, where Harris resides. “I think about it a lot because I live in a very small place where we’re hoping to keep the doors of our elementary school open for as long as we can,” she remarks.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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