In the Netherlands, women are increasingly opting to have children at older ages, with sociologists citing factors like personal development, financial concerns, and the “child penalty” as key reasons. This trend, which has been observed since the 1980s, shows more women over 35 having children, according to Tanja Traag, the chief sociologist at the CBS. In 2023, the average age for Dutch women to have their first child was 30.3, up from 29.4 a decade ago. This pattern mirrors similar trends in other countries, including the U.S., where women over 40 gave birth to more children than teenagers for the first time in 2023.
Lonneke van der Berg, a researcher at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI), explains that many women in their 20s and early 30s are delaying major milestones, such as moving out of their parents’ homes or starting families. She notes a growing focus on self-development, as young women prioritize education, career growth, and financial independence over early family life.
For those without higher education, financial concerns are a significant factor in delaying childbearing. The uncertain housing and job markets, along with high childcare costs, are key challenges. “This is a concerning development,” van der Berg told NOS.
However, she points out that delaying or even deciding against having children is not necessarily negative. Many young women appreciate the freedom to travel and the flexibility that comes with not having a fixed home base. There is a wider societal shift toward accepting personal investment and career focus before settling down.
With more women now holding higher education degrees than men, van der Berg suggests that women are enjoying the benefits of their academic and career success before considering motherhood.
The “child penalty” also plays a crucial role in the decision to delay or forgo having children. Dr. Hanneke Takkenberg, a specialist at Erasmus MC, has faced professional challenges after becoming pregnant. She shared that when she was expecting, she was asked how many days she would work after childbirth, a question typically never posed to men. This “penalty” leads to declines in women’s income, working hours, and pension contributions, while men’s careers remain largely unaffected.
While fertility rates for women decline faster after age 35, men experience a slower decline in sperm quality. In response to the growing trend of later pregnancies, many Dutch couples are opting for fertility treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization). IVF, however, is an intensive process involving hormone treatments, egg retrieval, and embryo implantation.
Takkenberg, who is involved in a new research center focused on women’s health in Rotterdam, notes that medically-assisted reproduction is becoming more common as women delay childbirth. “More couples are opting for IVF due to unintended childlessness, partly because women are starting families later,” she explained.
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