The average age of mums and dads in England and Wales has risen by almost 4 years over the last 4 decades, according to new analysis.

The Office for National Statistics revealed that in 2015, over half (53%) of all live births in England and Wales were to mothers aged 30 and over.

Two-thirds (68%) of fathers were aged 30 and over.

Nicola Haines, vital statistics outputs branch, Office for National Statistics, said: “The average age of mums and dads in England and Wales has increased by almost 4 years over the last 4 decades. At the birth of a child in 2015, fathers averaged 33.2 years of age and mothers 30.3 years.

“Falling birth rates among the under-30s and rising birth rates at older ages
reflect trends evident since the mid-1970s to delay childbearing to later ages.”

Source: ONS

Since 1964, changes in the average age of fathers have mirrored changes in the average age of mothers, with the average age of fathers consistently being around 3 years higher than the average age of mothers.

A long-term rise has been recorded since 1975 in the average ages of mothers and fathers reflecting trends to delay childbearing to later ages.

The average age of all fathers increased to 33.2 years in 2015, compared with 33.1 years in 2014. For mothers the average age was 30.3 years compared with 30.2 years in 2014.

The average age of first-time mothers was 28.6 years in 2015, compared with 28.5 years in 2014.

In 2015, 84% of babies were registered by parents who were married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting.

In 2015, 39% of live births were first births, 36% were second births and 15% were third births.

Most births in 2015 were to mothers who already had at least 1 child, the data showed. In 2015, of all live births 39% were first births, 36% were second births and 15% were third births.

The average (mean) age of all fathers for babies born in England and Wales in 2015 was 33.2 years, up slightly from 33.1 years in 2014. A small rise was also recorded among the average age of mothers, up to 30.3 years in 2015 from 30.2 years in 2014.

The proportion of births registered to cohabiting parents has increased in recent years with 32% of all births being registered to unmarried cohabiting parents in 2015, compared with 27% in 2005 and 10% in 1986 (the first year these figures were available). This trend was consistent with increases in the number of couples cohabiting rather than entering into marriage or civil partnership, the ONS stated.