The average age of first-time mothers continues to rise. See charts

Women in the U.S. are more likely to delay motherhood now, compared to decades past, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than two decades ago the average age of a first-time mother was 24.9. Now, the average woman or birthing person is having their first child at 27.5 - a record high in the country.

Researchers have found that a major factor in this change of age is the decline of teen moms. The birth rate for teens ages 15 to 19 was 13.2 births per 1,000 women in 2023, a 3% decrease from the previous year. The birth rate for teens has steadily dropped every year since 1991, with exceptions in 2006 and 2007, according to the CDC.

Here's how the average age of mothers has changed over the years:

Why are people waiting longer to have kids?

Women are prioritizing higher education and their careers, leading to a delay in motherhood.

Data from the CDC shows that women who had their first child at 30 or older were more likely to have a bachelor's degree. Over 40% of first-time mothers in this age range had a bachelor's degree or higher.

Financial concerns including childcare costs and rising living costs have led more women and birthing people to delay starting a family. It has become more common for people to wait longer to get married or find a partner.

Fertility options for those who have trouble becoming pregnant are becoming more accessible, in some cases. In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a type of fertility treatment that involves retrieving eggs, manually combining them with sperm in a lab and placing the fertilized eggs inside the uterus. According to previous reporting from USA TODAY, more states are mandating private insurance companies cover fertility treatment, making the process financially accessible to more women in their 40s.

Between 2021 and 2022, the birth rate among women ages 40 to 44 rose 4%, according to a CDC report. During the same time period, the birth rate rose 12% for women 45 and older.

Average age of parents varies by race

Asian women and Pacific Islander women have the highest average age of first-time mothers, compared to all other races, according to CDC data. American Indian and Alaska Native women have the lowest average age of first-time mothers at 23 and 24, respectively.

Premature births rose: Here's what we know about the increase.

Pregnant and over 40 : More women are becoming later-in-life moms.

Contributing: Adrianna Rodriguez

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Graphics show changing trend in average age of parents