Average Age of Mothers in Prince Edward Island at Birth (1991-2023)

Prince Edward Island has experienced a clear shift in childbirth patterns from 1991 to 2023. More women are now waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children, while teen births and those in the early 20s have dropped significantly. These demographic shifts align with national trends and reflect changing social and economic priorities in the region.

Teen and Young Mothers in Steady Decline

In 1991, 8.5% of births in PEI were to mothers aged 15 to 19, and 21.7% to those 20 to 24. By 2023:

• Teen births dropped to 1.4%
• 20–24-year-olds accounted for just 11.2% of all births

This decrease suggests broader access to family planning, rising educational attainment, and a delay in family formation.

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Fewer Births Among Women in Their Late 20s

Although still significant, the 25 to 29 age group has declined. From a high of 37.6% in 1991, it now represents 31.7% of births in 2023. While this is still the largest single cohort in some years, it reflects a broader shift toward older motherhood.

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Mothers in Their 30s Dominate in 2023

The real rise is seen in the 30 to 34 and 35 to 39 categories:

• 30–34 years rose from 22.9% in 1991 to 34% in 2023
• 35–39 years increased from 8.1% to 18.5%

These groups together now represent over half of all births in PEI, reflecting a broader social trend where women prioritize stability, education, and career before motherhood.

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More Births in the 40s

While still a small percentage, births among women aged 40 to 44 rose from 0.9% in 1991 to 3.1% in 2023. Even the 45 to 49 group—previously nearly nonexistent—now contributes 0.1%, consistent with improved maternal health and fertility options.

Percentage of Births by Age of Mother in Prince Edward Island:

Age of mother	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
under 15 years	0.3	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.2	0	0	0	0	0.1	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
15 to 19 years	8.5	8	8.7	8.6	8.4	8.6	9	9.8	7.5	8.3	6.2	6.7	6.7	6	6	4.3	6.1	5.3	5.9	5.3	5.8	4.7	3.8	2.9	3.3	2.5	2.9	2.3	2.1	2.1	1.4	1.7	1.4
20 to 24 years	21.7	21	22.5	23.1	21.6	22.1	22.8	22.8	23	23.2	20.9	19.6	20.5	18.9	22.2	20	18.8	20.7	20	18.7	17.4	16.8	16.5	17.3	17.1	15.1	14.1	14.2	12	13.4	10.8	11.3	11.2
25 to 29 years	37.6	37.4	34.8	32	32.1	32.3	31.9	29.7	31.4	29.8	33	31.8	31.4	32.1	31.3	29.9	29.7	30.7	28.7	29.8	30.4	31.9	31.2	32.4	32.5	29.8	31.9	30.8	33.1	28.3	31.2	29.6	31.7
30 to 34 years	22.9	25.8	25.1	26.1	28.5	26.7	24.8	24.9	25.1	26.1	27.9	28	27.9	28	28.7	29.4	30.5	26.5	29.8	31	32	30.6	32.9	31.7	30.5	36.9	34.2	34.6	32.8	36.7	39	37.2	34
35 to 39 years	8.1	6.6	7.9	8.9	8	9.3	9.5	11.2	11.7	10.6	10	11.9	11.6	12.4	10.1	14.1	13	14.8	13	13.1	12.3	13.6	13.2	13.2	14.1	12.9	14.1	15.1	16.7	16.6	15.1	17	18.5
40 to 44 years	0.9	1	0.9	1.2	1.1	0.7	2	1.5	1.5	1.9	1.8	2	1.8	2.5	1.6	2.2	1.8	2.1	2.5	2.1	2	2.3	2.3	2.2	2.4	2.5	2.8	3	3.1	2.8	2.5	3	3.1
45 to 49 years	0	0.1	0	0	0.1	0.2	0	0.1	0	0	0	0	0.1	0.1	0	0.1	0.1	0	0.1	0	0.1	0.2	0.1	0.3	0.1	0.4	0	0	0.2	0.2	0	0.2	0.1

Source:

Source Name:	Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0416-01. Live births, by age of mother.
Source Link:	https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1310041601
Release Date:	2024-09-25