New figures released by Stats NZ recently show the proportion of births to mothers aged under 25 years in 2025 reached a record low of one in seven births, half of what it was a generation ago.
There were 57,705 live births registered in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025. In 1995 (around one generation ago), the number of births was similar, with 57,672 live births registered that year. In 1965 (around two generations ago), the number of births was slightly higher, at 60,045.
Fourteen percent of births in 2025 were to mothers aged under 25 years ("younger mothers"). This is down from 28% in 1995, and 46% in 1965.
The median age of mothers who gave birth in 2025 was 31.7 years, up from 28.6 years in 1995 and 25.5 years in 1965.
In a statement, projections and coverage spokesperson Joel Watkins said fewer women giving birth under the age of 25 followed long-term trends of mothers being older when their children were born.
"The median age of mothers giving birth in 2025 once again reached a record high, with roughly half of babies born last year having mothers over the age of 32 years." — Allied Media
