The map illustrates the mean age of women at the birth of their first child across various European countries in 2018. Notably, the data reveals a significant variation in ages, with countries like Ireland and Italy showing higher mean ages of over 31 years, while Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Romania have lower mean ages, around 26 to 27 years. This trend suggests a potential cultural or socio-economic influence on family planning decisions. Western and Northern European countries, including the UK, France, and the Nordic nations, generally exhibit mean ages close to the EU average of 29.3 years. The data highlights a clear geographical pattern, with Southern and Western Europe tending towards later motherhood compared to Eastern Europe. This could reflect differences in career priorities, economic conditions, or access to family planning resources. The map serves as a visual representation of how societal norms and economic factors might influence family planning across Europe.
