The line graph illustrates changes in the birth rate per 1000 women across six different age categories between 1973 and 2008.
Overall, the birth rates for women aged 30-35 and 35-39 followed an upward trend over the period, while the rates decreased for the remaining age groups. Women who were 25-29 consistently recorded the highest birth rate, whereas those aged over 40 had the lowest throughout the timeframe. Notably, the birth rate of women aged 35-39 surpassed those who were under 20 by the end of the period.
Focusing on the age groups that saw an increase, women aged 30-34 began with a rate of around 70 births per 1,000 and underwent a gradual rise to just over 80 by 2008. Similarly, the 35-39 age group started at approximately 40, remained relatively stable for the first 15 years, and then rose significantly to just above 60, where it leveled off by the end of the period.
In contrast, the other four age groups declined. The 25-29 age cohort had the highest birth rate throughout the period, starting at 140 births per 1,000 and ending at around 120, despite some fluctuations. For women aged 20-24, the rate steadily dropped from about 130 to 90. A similar trend was observed in the youngest group (under 20), whose rate fell from 60 to 40. Meanwhile, the birth rate for those aged 40 and above remained consistently low, under 20 per 1,000 women across the entire timeframe.