National Statistics Institute: 58.4% of women who had children in 2005 were single

SANTIAGO.- A study revealed today by the National Statistics Institute (INE) shows that 58.4% of women who had children in 2005 were single.

Within this figure, the highest percentage of unwed mothers (29.6%) was reported among women between the ages of 20 and 24, followed by teens between the ages of 15 and 19 (24.3%) and finally, women between 25 and 29 (18.2 %). 

The information delivered by the INE also indicates that more than half (55.3%) of the 58.4% gave birth to their first child in 2005.

Among married women, those between the ages of 30 and 34 reported the highest number of births, contributing to 31.7% of live births. Married women between 25 and 29 came in second place, registering 28.0%, followed by the 35 to 39 year old group with (18.2%).  

The figures indicate that girls under the age of 15 also contribute to the number of births.  Among this group, single mothers accounted for 926 (0.7%) births, while married girls accounted for 9 births.