site.btaAverage Age of First-time Mothers is 30.5 in Sofia, 22 in Sliven - Alpha Research Survey

The average age of first-time mothers is 30.5 years in Sofia and 22 years in Sliven (Southeastern Bulgaria), shows a survey conducted by Alpha Research and presented by chief expert Elena Lilova at the BTA National Press Club on Friday. The poll was carried out across Bulgaria in January 2022 among 400 women aged between 18 and 30.

Some 90% of women with higher education give birth to their first child around the age of 30 and over, while those with primary or lower education become first-time mothers by 22, Lilova said, noting there are significant differences by region and by education.

Education and professional development are among the factors influencing first-ever childbirth at a later age. 

Almost half of respondents with children note as a reason for having a child the presence of a stable partner and the shared wish to become parents. This is the top reason for more than 75% of respondents without children. Nearly one in two of the participants in the survey is aged close to 30, yet 75% of these women are yet to have a child.

The fear that having a child will seriously affect the personal living standard and way of life, and that the personal resources will not be enough to raise a child, is becoming one of the main reasons for women to postpone having their first child. Lilova noted the increasing pressure of the higher requirements for the material, professional, and social environment among women postponing having a child. 

Another problem revealed by the survey is women underestimating or being relatively poorly informed about the risks of having a child at a later age, Lilova said, adding that 7% of the respondents had never heard of such a problem. 

Only one-fourth of young women are acquainted with the procedure for egg and sperm donation. Less than half of the respondents have heard general information about the topic, while 20% are unfamiliar with it, Lilova explained.

Earlier on Friday, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) and the Iskam Bebe charity supporting assisted reproduction announced an initiative to encourage timely child-bearing. The time for the unveiling of the project at the BTA National Press Club was picked to coincide with the professional holiday of maternity health care, January 21.