The bar chart compares the proportions of women in Australia who gave birth to their first child in 1966, 1986, and 2006.
Overall, it is clear that adults account for the highest rate of first childbirth in all categories, followed by the 25-29 and 30-34 age groups. Women aged 35-39 account for the smallest shares of women giving birth for the first time across the three years.
In 1966, women aged 20-24 accounted for the largest share of first childbirth, with women aged 19 and 25-29 giving birth for the first time at around 40% in this category. In 1986, women aged 19 and 30-34 also accounted for a significant portion of first childbirth, slightly less than women aged 20-24 and 25-29.
In contrast, the proportion of women aged 30-34 giving birth for the first time in 2006 was higher, at around 50%, compared to just under 40% for women aged 25-29. The proportion of women aged 19 and under giving birth for the first time was considerably lower.
