The line graph compares the changes in the birth rates for women in various age groups in the UK between 1973 and 2008.
Overall, it is clear that while the figures for births of women in the “under 20 to 29” and “40 and over” age blankets experienced downwoard trends, that for the remaining groups increased eventually. Moreover, women in the age of 25-29’s birth rates dominated the others during the examined timescale.
In terms of decreasing trend, it is obvious that there were 140 births per 1000 in the 25 to 29 age cohort in 1973. This figure then dropped to exactly 120 before recovering to 130 and subsequently ending with 120 births. In addition, the figures for women who were under 20 and between 20 and 25 also followed the same pattern, although without being volatile, with the former decreasing of 20 and the latter declining of around 30 births per 1000. A similar decline was also seen for women aged 40 and above, dropping from 20 initially to around 10 births in 2008, remaining the least active in childbirth.
In constrast, childbirth among women in their 30s became more common over time. 30-to-35- year olds saw a gradual rise, growing from roughly 70 births per 1000 to end at slightly more than 80. An identical trend occurred among “35 to 39” age blanket, where birth rates increasing from 40 births to just over 60 by the end of the period.