Background: In the German-speaking world, a trend towards increasingly later parenthood has been observed for some time. The aim of the article is to quantify this phenomenon for Germany, Austria and Switzerland and to show how age limits for late parenthood in Germany are socially normalized through general social principles.

Data and methods: The article analyzes the first births of over 40-year-olds as well as the socially normalized age limits of late parenthood on the basis of UN data, the microcensus as well as the family guiding principles survey.

Results: Women in the age group of 40 years and older who give birth have significantly increased since the middle of the 1980s. The trends between 1950 and 2015 show a U-shaped distribution. Looking at the social acceptance of late parenthood, there is a significantly higher approval of late paternity compared to late maternity.

Discussion: In demography the topic is discussed in the context of postponement and catching up of births as well as its influence on the birth rate. Low birth rates are a key issue when discussing social consequences of an aging population. It is therefore a central question whether late births should be subject to family policy support or whether the efforts should be directed towards an earlier reconciliation of employment and parenthood. It is thus important whether late parenthood is desired or more a result of unfavorable conditions. If it is desired as part of a changed life course, demands on reproductive medicine and family policy arise. From a medical perspective, it must be weighed up how one can react in the future to the increasing demands for reproductive medicine assistance.