Reproductive trends show delayed motherhood and declining fertility rates

Societal shifts are increasingly influencing reproductive decisions, leading to delayed motherhood and declining fertility rates across Latin America. In Argentina, the case of 62-year-old María Frías, who became a first-time mother, has highlighted the biological complexities of late-age pregnancy. Medical experts note that while reproductive technology can assist through egg donation and embryo selection, the biological aging of ovaries remains a significant hurdle, as the proportion of genetically normal eggs drops sharply after age 35.

In Chile, demographic data shows a significant decline in the Total Fertility Rate, which fell by 59.4% between 1993 and 2025, reaching an average of 0.99 children per woman. This trend is driven by a combination of factors, including the conscious choice to remain childless, the postponement of motherhood, and “structural infertility”—a term used to describe how economic instability, employment issues, and lack of childcare support prevent women from having children. Experts emphasize the importance of reproductive agency, which is the ability to make decisions about family life without coercion.