Danish women in big cities start families later than their counterparts in the provinces

Health expert is concerned they are dramatically reducing their chances to conceive naturally

Lucie Rychla

Women who live in Copenhagen and Aarhus wait longer to have a baby than those who live in provincial towns, according to figures from Statistics Denmark.

The average age of first-time mothers in Copenhagen and Aarhus is 30.8 and 29.4.

The oldest first-time mothers in Denmark live in Frederiksberg and Gentofte, where the average is 32.

Meanwhile, on Lolland, women start reproducing at the age of 25.5, and in most provincial towns in Jutland and west Zealand the average is 27-28.

READ MORE: More older women giving birth in Denmark

Waiting to finish studies
Since 2006, the age of first-time mothers in the capital has on average increased by six months, while it has remained stable in smaller towns.

“If women listened to their biology, they should give birth when they are 20 years old. Waiting until their 30s decreases fertility by half,” Morten Grønbæk, the chairman at the National Centre for Prevention, told Metroxpress.

“Politicians in big cities should do more to get women to have children earlier.”

According to researcher Mogens Nygaard Christiansen from the National Centre for Social Research, women in large cities typically study longer and wait to start families until they have finished their studies and found a job.

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