Motherhood in Spain is Delayed and Transforms the Demographic Profile
Official figures from the National Statistics Institute confirm a reality that is consolidating: Spanish women choose to become mothers later and later. In the last decade, births to women over 35 years old increased by 40%, a figure that reflects a profound social change. This shift raises the average age for having the first child above 32 years, altering the country's demography and demanding new responses from institutions. 📈
What Motivates This Change in the Life Calendar?
Several reasons combine to explain why women postpone starting a family. Job instability and obstacles to obtaining housing hinder personal projects. Many prioritize consolidating their professional career before thinking about children. Advances in reproductive medicine provide security to those who decide to wait, while society normalizes different models and rhythms for becoming a mother.
Key Factors in the Delay:- Labor and Economic Uncertainty: Makes it difficult to plan long-term and assume family responsibilities.
- Professional Priority: Women dedicate more years to studying and building a solid career.
- Medical Progress: Assisted reproduction techniques allow expanding the biological window of opportunity.
A calendar where the thirties are the new twenties for starting to think about diapers.
Consequences for the Population and Public Services
This phenomenon directly affects the population structure, which is aging at an accelerated rate. The fertility rate remains low, without reaching the level necessary to replace generations. The healthcare system must adapt to attend to more high-risk pregnancies linked to advanced maternal age. At the same time, the demand for fertility treatments grows, which poses a challenge for public health. 🏥
Main Impacts on the System:- Population Pyramid: Widens at the top (older people) and narrows at the base (births).
- Healthcare: Needs specific protocols for pregnancies at more advanced ages.
- Assisted Reproduction: Increases pressure on this type of medical services.
A New Social Scenario that Redefines Timelines
While one generation waits for grandchildren, the next manages their life between work commitments and medical consultations, redefining the biological clock with the help of science and meticulous planning. This change not only transforms personal biographies but also draws a different demographic landscape, with profound implications for the future of Spanish society and its family support policies.