Why Is the Birth Rate of Twins on the Rise?

While the global birth rate has been declining, and in some countries, this has become a serious issue, one surprising trend is that the birth rate of twins has increased threefold in recent years. This is a historic shift, and research suggests that this trend will continue in the future. But why is this happening?

### **Reasons Behind the Rise in Twin Births:**

Experts have identified several reasons for the increase in twin births, including social factors such as women having children at older ages and the higher use of fertility treatments to combat infertility.

1. **Older Maternal Age**:
One of the significant reasons for the rise in twin births is the trend of women having children later in life. As women age, their bodies undergo hormonal changes that make it more likely for multiple eggs to be released during ovulation, which increases the chances of conceiving twins.

2. **Advancements in Fertility Treatments**:
With the growing use of fertility treatments like IVF (in vitro fertilization), there has been a corresponding rise in the number of twin pregnancies. Fertility treatments often involve the stimulation of multiple eggs, which increases the likelihood of multiple embryos being implanted in the uterus.

3. **Changing Social Trends**:
With more women opting to delay motherhood for various reasons, such as career and education, the chances of conceiving twins increase with age. Studies show that women in their late 30s and early 40s have a higher probability of giving birth to twins due to hormonal factors.

### **Statistics:**

– In the UK, the data from 2023 revealed that women in the 35 to 39-year age group had a higher likelihood of having twins, with a rate of 1 in 51. This contrasts with women under the age of 20, where the rate was only 1 in 2,000.

– Research also indicates that, globally, the birth rate of twins and higher-order multiples will rise significantly by 2050 to 2100, particularly due to the growing trend of older women becoming mothers.

### **Conclusion:**

While twin births have always been a rarity, the rise in maternal age and the increased use of fertility treatments have led to a steady increase in their occurrence. This shift in birth patterns is expected to continue, with more countries experiencing higher twin birth rates as women delay childbirth to later stages of life.