Focus on Africa - Are more women delaying motherhood?
Download Are more women delaying motherhood?
Around the world, more women are choosing to delay motherhood. In countries like Italy, Spain and South Korea, the average age of first-time mothers has risen to around 32. While many African countries still have some of the youngest ages of first-time mothers - a shift is also happening in parts of continent. So, what’s behind this change?
Focus on Africa: The Conversation host, Nkechi Ogbonna spoke with Vanessa Tloubatla, from South Africa, who became a mother at the age of 46; and Barbara Mugeni from Uganda who had her third child at the age of 45.
Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Carolyne Kiambo and Fana Negash
Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango
Senior Producer: Priya Sippy
Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla
Published on Friday, 23rd January 2026.
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