Average age of first-time mothers lowest in Sask., report says
Saskatchewan has the lowest average age of first-time mothers in the country, according to a recent report released by the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.
The report says that since 2012 the average age of first-time mothers in Saskatchewan is 27.3. British Columbia had the highest average age of 30.4 years.
The report also says that since 1965 the average age of first-time mothers in Canada has risen from 23.5 to 29.4 years of age in 2019.
The average age of first-time mothers has risen the quickest in Alberta since 2012, the report states.
“The fact they continue unchanged through economic booms and busts and across all provinces suggests that these trends have more to do with changing societal norms than with financial considerations, such as the cost of living and the cost of childcare,” the report said.
Financial reasons for deciding when to have a first child are more likely the main explanation for differences across provinces the report said.
“Thus, it is perhaps not surprising that the average age of mothers at first birth is highest in provinces like British Columbia and Ontario, where housing costs, and costs of living in general, have proven to be consistently higher than in other provinces.”
According to the report, in 2016 the average age of first time mothers in Canada was near the average for OECD countries (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) at 29.2. However it was noticeably lower than in countries like Spain (30.8) and Italy (31).
The report said data was gathered from Statistics Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
Britney Spears has reached a settlement with her estranged father more than two years after the court-ordered termination of a conservatorship that had given him control of her life, their attorneys said.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
A top Qatari official urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a ceasefire deal
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show "more commitment and more seriousness" in ceasefire negotiations in interviews with Israeli media, as pressure builds on both sides to move toward a deal that would set Israeli hostages free and bring potential respite in the nearly seven-month-long war in Gaza.