Released on: 25 January 2013

On 24 January 2013, the Office of National Statistics (ONS) released data on the characteristics of parents in 2011

Elizabeth Duff, Senior Policy Adviser for parent charity NCT said:

“Data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) released today shows that in 2011, the average age of first-time mothers in England and Wales was 27.9 years, which continues the small but steady rise in the age of first-time mothers over recent decades.

“On the whole, the age of parents is rising with nearly half (49%) of all women giving birth aged 30 and over and nearly two thirds (65%) of fathers being aged 30 and over at the birth of their child. This may be due to parents waiting until they are best placed to welcome their baby into a financially stable family setting, in addition to fewer teenage mothers, following moves to discourage very early parenthood.

“Older women may experience more potential complications in pregnancy, but are also more likely to be well informed, prepared and supported by family, so needing less help when they begin being parents. Whatever age you have a baby, we know that it can be an exciting but overwhelming time, which is why it’s important that parents are offered consistent, high quality support from health and social care professionals throughout their pregnancy and in the months after the birth.”

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