In 2024, approximately 99,000 children were born in Sweden, which is the lowest number of newborns since 2003, according to the National Board of Health and Welfare.
And at the same time, mothers are getting older. The average age of first-time mothers rose to over 30 years for the first time (30.1 years). In Stockholm County, first-time mothers were the oldest, with an average age of 31.5 years. The youngest were first-time mothers in Gävleborg County, at 28.5 years.
More than 5 percent were 40 years old or older when they had children.
"Older age increases the risk of several pregnancy and childbirth complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia and the need for a cesarean section," says Ängla Mantel, associate professor and referring physician at the National Board of Health and Welfare, in a press release.
The proportion of expectant mothers who are overweight (BMI of 25 or more) is also increasing and has almost doubled since the 1990s. In 2024, 47 percent of expectant mothers were overweight.
"The increased proportion of pregnant women with a high BMI is one of the major risk changes we see. It affects the risks both during pregnancy, during childbirth and also for the health of the child," says Ängla Mantel.
