The new face of motherhood

Behind every figure, there is a mother

Mother’s Day is anything but an ordinary date on the calendar. Every second Sunday in May, year after year, reminds us that behind every beginning stands a woman who decided to love, care and persevere. In the quietness of everyday life, between first steps, sleepless nights, school worries, and countless small, invisible tasks, mothers shape not only their families but also the broader picture of our society - which is particularly reflected in statistics.
 
In 2024, there were 32 069 live births in Croatia - half as many as, for example, in 1971 - reflecting a long-term decline that points to broader demographic and social changes.
   
One of the most noticeable changes refers to the age of mothers. While in 1971 women gave birth to their first child at an average age of 22.6, today they do so seven years later - at the age of 29.8. The average age of mothers at childbirth, as compared to the already mentioned 1970s, has increased by almost six years, reaching 31.2 years.
   
The age of mothers has also changed. In 2024, more than a half of all live-born children were born to women aged 30 to 39, indicating that the age group once most dominant in childbearing - women aged 20 to 29 - has now given way to a more mature generation of mothers.
   
Data on birth order further illustrate family patterns. In 2024, there were 14 403 first-born children, 10 910 second-born children, and 6 297 children born as the third or subsequent child.
   
An important insight is also provided by the educational structure of mothers. Nearly every second mother who gave birth in 2024 has a higher education degree, while the majority of the others have completed secondary education.
   
Numbers help us understand how the society is changing, but behind each of these figures stands a mother with her care, patience, and love, which, of course, cannot be measured. This is precisely why Mother’s Day is not just dry statistics, but a reminder that behind all these changes and trends are real women who balance daily between family and work, doing the most important job in the world - shaping future generations. We wish all of them a happy Mother’s Day!
 

News