Women in Canada are waiting longer to have children, according to the latest birth rate statistics released by Statistics Canada yesterday.
The majority of women who gave birth in 2007 were over 30 and those aged 30 to 34 had the highest birth rate of all.
Calgarian Kathleen Robinson, 31, is part of that group, with a new baby born just two weeks ago, and said she thinks the experience is more enjoyable than when she had her first child 11 years ago.
“I’m more prepared, more stable,” Robinson said. “I’m more financially secure so I’m able to get out and do things with the baby.”
Kim Magotiaux owns Bellies, Babies and Beyond and said she’s also seeing the trend of older moms in Calgary. “Thirty to 35 is pretty bang on,” said Magotiaux. “I think they have a better sense of themselves and they feel they’re in a better place to help support a family.”
Statistics Canada reported yesterday that 367,864 babies were born in 2007 13,247 or 3.7 per cent more than in 2006. That’s the fastest annual increase since 1989.
Total fertility rates, or the average number of children per woman, increased to 1.66 in 2007 from 1.59 in 2006.
The number of babies born in 2007 was the highest since 1995 and the fifth straight annual increase. with files from the canadian press
