Parents are more relaxed about being married, with a third of babies born out of wedlock, up from 19 per cent in 1988 / File
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- More babies born in 2008 than any other year
- Having them later in life no longer a trend
- Women aged 30-39 responsible for increase
MUMS are having more babies than ever. But the trend towards having them later in life may have stalled.
Australia recorded more births than ever last year - 296,600, up by 11,400 on 2007.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 births report found the nation's total fertility rate rose from 1.92 babies a woman in 2007 to 1.97 last year, the highest since 1977.
Women aged 30-39 accounted for 55 per cent of the increase, the Herald Sun reports.
Those aged 30-34 recorded their highest fertility rate since 1961, and those aged 35-39 the highest since 1948.
Boys were slightly more prevalent than girls, making up 51 per cent of births, and multiple births have risen by 24 per cent since 1988 to 4600, perhaps partly due to IVF.
Parents are also more relaxed about being married, with a third of babies born out of wedlock, up from 19 per cent in 1988.
Victoria's total fertility rate was steady at 1.86 last year, but is up from 1.68 in 1998. We also recorded 862 more births than in 2007.
Treasurer John Lenders said 71,175 babies were born in Victoria last year, the highest number since 1972.
"There is no doubt that Melbourne is a popular place to raise a family with an attractive lifestyle, a resilient economy and the cheapest housing on the eastern seaboard," he said.
ABS assistant director Matthew Montgomery said while Australian women were having babies later than in the past, the median age of mothers had remained about 31 since 2006.
"What we've really seen in the past few years is that ... appears to have halted," he said.
Victoria and the ACT had the oldest mothers, with a median age of 31.6 compared with 30.7 nationally.
Mr Montgomery said Victorians tended to have their first baby later, and this could be influenced by socioeconomic factors.
Melbourne mum Petina Lanigan, 38, had her second child, Angus, three weeks ago. First son William is 18 months old.
"We had one last year as well as this year so we've contributed to the baby boom," she said yesterday.
Ms Lanigan has noticed more mothers, including her friends, having children later but also knows those in their 20s giving birth.
"I've still got friends having children now," she said. "(But) my sister's 24 and she's got friends having babies."
Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said the number of babies born in Victoria had increased by 21 per cent since 1999.
But we are still not having enough babies to replace their parents, with the report finding that the current required replacement level is 2.1 babies a woman.
Australia recorded more births than ever last year - 296,600, up by 11,400 on 2007.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008 births report found the nation's total fertility rate rose from 1.92 babies a woman in 2007 to 1.97 last year, the highest since 1977.
Women aged 30-39 accounted for 55 per cent of the increase, the Herald Sun reports.
Those aged 30-34 recorded their highest fertility rate since 1961, and those aged 35-39 the highest since 1948.
Boys were slightly more prevalent than girls, making up 51 per cent of births, and multiple births have risen by 24 per cent since 1988 to 4600, perhaps partly due to IVF.
Parents are also more relaxed about being married, with a third of babies born out of wedlock, up from 19 per cent in 1988.
Victoria's total fertility rate was steady at 1.86 last year, but is up from 1.68 in 1998. We also recorded 862 more births than in 2007.
Treasurer John Lenders said 71,175 babies were born in Victoria last year, the highest number since 1972.
"There is no doubt that Melbourne is a popular place to raise a family with an attractive lifestyle, a resilient economy and the cheapest housing on the eastern seaboard," he said.
ABS assistant director Matthew Montgomery said while Australian women were having babies later than in the past, the median age of mothers had remained about 31 since 2006.
"What we've really seen in the past few years is that ... appears to have halted," he said.
Victoria and the ACT had the oldest mothers, with a median age of 31.6 compared with 30.7 nationally.
Mr Montgomery said Victorians tended to have their first baby later, and this could be influenced by socioeconomic factors.
Melbourne mum Petina Lanigan, 38, had her second child, Angus, three weeks ago. First son William is 18 months old.
"We had one last year as well as this year so we've contributed to the baby boom," she said yesterday.
Ms Lanigan has noticed more mothers, including her friends, having children later but also knows those in their 20s giving birth.
"I've still got friends having children now," she said. "(But) my sister's 24 and she's got friends having babies."
Children and Early Childhood Development Minister Maxine Morand said the number of babies born in Victoria had increased by 21 per cent since 1999.
But we are still not having enough babies to replace their parents, with the report finding that the current required replacement level is 2.1 babies a woman.
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Darwin of Darwin