In recent decades, the average age of first time fathers has been steadily increasing in many developed countries. Factors driving this trend include men staying in education longer, focusing on careers, and getting married and having children later. This raises questions around what the current average age is, why it is increasing, and what implications this has.
What is the Current Average Age of First Time Fathers?
According to recent data from the National Vital Statistics System in the United States, the average age of first time fathers in 2019 was 31.4 years old. This represents an increase from 27.4 years old in 1972.
Similar trends are seen in other developed countries:
| Country | Average Age of First Time Fathers |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 33.6 years (in 2019) |
| Australia | 33.1 years (in 2018) |
| Canada | 33.0 years (in 2019) |
So while there is some variation between countries, the average age tends to be between 31 and 34 in most developed nations.
Age Distribution of First Time Fathers
Looking beyond just the average, the distribution of ages at which men first become fathers has also shifted:
– In the 1970s, around 5% of first time fathers were over 40. Today this has increased to 9%.
– The percentage of first time fathers under 25 has declined from 18% to 5%.
– Most first time fathers are concentrated in their late 20s and 30s. The peak age group is 30-34.
So the trend is towards older rather than younger first time fathers. There are now more men becoming dads in their 40s than their early 20s.
Why is the Average Age Increasing?
There are several societal shifts driving the increase in average age of first time fathers:
More Time in Education
– Men are spending longer in education before entering the workforce. The proportion of high school graduates enrolled in college has risen substantially.
– Spending more years studying delays financial independence and pushes back marriage and parenthood timelines.
Focus on Establishing Careers
– With more competitive labor markets, men are taking longer to feel established in their careers before having children. Landing a stable, well-paying job is seen as an important prerequisite.
– Strong cultural norms of men as breadwinners and financial providers also come into play.
Getting Married Later
– The average age of first marriage for men is now around 30, up from 23 in the 1970s. Marrying later naturally results in delayed childbearing.
– Cohabitation before marriage has risen steeply, extending relationship timelines.
Access to Birth Control
– Widespread access to effective contraception from the 1960s and 1970s enabled women to delay motherhood and men to delay fatherhood.
– It facilitated family planning so couples didn’t start having children immediately upon marrying.
Women Having Children Later
– Like men, women are also staying in education and focusing on careers before having children.
– Greater gender equity means couples are now better able to align their timing based on both partners’ readiness.
Assisted Reproductive Technology
– Improved assisted reproductive technology, like IVF, allows older couples to keep trying for a baby. This enables more men to become first time fathers at later ages.
Implications of the Rising Age of First Time Fathers
The trend towards older first time fathers has several implications:
Declining Birth Rates
– Older first time fathers logically means later births and smaller family sizes. This contributes to declining birth rates in developed countries.
Increased Use of Fertility Treatments
– More couples where the man is over 40 require help conceiving, driving demand for fertility treatments like IVF and sperm donation.
Higher Risks of Complications
– Pregnancies with older fathers carry increased risks of conditions like Down Syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Work-Life Balance Challenges
– Older fathers can find it more challenging to balance intense career demands with new fatherhood responsibilities.
More Resources and Maturity
– On the positive side, older first time dads often have more financial resources, maturity and life experience to devote to parenting.
Younger Grandparents
– With the average first time dad now in his 30s, this means grandparents are often in their 50s and 60s when grandchildren are born.
More Active Fathering
– Older dads tend to take a more active role in child rearing and spend more time engaged in caregiving compared to generations past.
Conclusion
In developed countries, the average age of first time fathers has climbed over the past 40 years and now sits at around 31-34 years old. This shift stems from a complex interplay of social forces including more time spent in education, delayed marriage and parenthood, greater access to contraception, and women having children later.
While positive in some respects, such as reflecting greater gender equity and more involved fathering, later fatherhood also poses challenges like low birth rates and higher health risks. Understanding this major demographic change provides important context for policies supporting healthier, more sustainable families and societies.