The line graph illustrates changes in the birth rate of women in the UK across six different age groups between 1973 and 2008.
Overall, women aged 25-29 and 30-34 consistently recorded the highest birth rates throughout the period, although the former group experienced a gradual decline. In contrast, birth rates among women aged 35-39 and 40 and over increased noticeably, while younger age groups showed downward trends.
In 1973, the highest birth rate was observed among women aged 25-29, at around 140 births per 1,000 women, followed by those aged 20-24 at approximately 120. However, both figures declined steadily over the years, reaching about 120 and 95 respectively by 2008. Meanwhile, the rate for women aged 30-34 rose gradually from roughly 75 to around 85, overtaking the 20-24 group by the end of the period.
By contrast, birth rates for women under 20 decreased significantly, falling from about 60 in 1973 to nearly 40 in 2008. At the same time, the figure for women aged 35-39 increased sharply, almost doubling from around 40 to approximately 65. Although women aged 40 and over had the lowest birth rates throughout, their figure also rose slightly over the period.