The bar chart illustrates the proportion of women in six different age groups who gave birth to their first child in three separate years: 1966, 1986, and 2006.
Overall, there was a clear shift towards older motherhood over the 40-year period. While younger women under 25 made up the majority of first-time mothers in 1966, women aged 30 and above became increasingly dominant by 2006.
In 1966, women aged 19-24 represented the highest proportion, at about 65%, followed by those under 19 at roughly 35%. The percentage of first-time mothers aged 25-30 was slightly lower, while the figures for women aged 30 and over were minimal, remaining below 10%.
By 1986, the pattern changed noticeably. The proportion of mothers aged 25-30 rose sharply to 50%, becoming the largest group. In contrast, the figures for the under-25 categories fell significantly
By 2006, the trend toward older motherhood became more pronounced. The proportion of women aged 30-34 giving birth to their first child rose dramatically to about 45%, overtaking all younger age groups. Meanwhile, those aged 19-24 dropped to just under 30%, and teenage mothers became much less common. Additionally, a small but steady rise was seen among women aged 35 and over.