[Chile at Birth: Recent Trends in Birth Rates and Maternal Age as Inputs for Public Policy Planning]

Over the past decade, Chile has experienced a sustained decline in birth rates, along with a progressive increase in maternal age at the time of first pregnancy. This phenomenon reflects demographic and sociocultural dynamics with significant implications for health planning and public policy.

An ecological study was conducted using aggregated data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for the period 2010-2022. Trends in overall birth rates and age-specific fertility rates were described, as well as changes in the relative contribution of each maternal age group to the total number of births.

The number of births in Chile declined by 24.5% between 2010 and 2022. Fertility among women aged 15 to 24 showed a marked decrease, while the proportion of births among women aged 30 and over increased steadily. A progressive shift in the reproductive timeline toward older maternal age groups was observed.

Chile is undergoing an advanced stage of demographic transition, characterized by delayed motherhood. This shift is associated with higher levels of female education, unequal labor conditions, and structural barriers to balancing work and caregiving. Public policies must adapt to this new scenario through a life-course approach that promotes equity and shared responsibility, strengthening both the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and support for later motherhood.