The global boom in twin births

The number of twins being born in developed countries has risen dramatically since 1970 – increasing by an average of 42% compared to an overall rise of 8% in all deliveries

TWINNING RATE (per 1,000 delivieries, select countries)
Greece 
U.S.
Denmark 
Germany
Netherlands 
Australia
Spain 
Japan
Canada
S. Korea       
    
30
28
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
8 
6 
4


2010-2015: Global peak
No data
      
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020


MAIN REASONS FOR RISE
Women are having children later in life, with likelihood of twin pregnancy increasing  with mother’s age (over age range of 15-37 years)

Medically assisted reproduction, such as IVF, accounts for up to 87% of increase (in 2013, 40% of IVF births were twins)*
  
*Rate of twin births is falling as IVF techniques improve
Sources: Freethink, HMBD Picture: Liviu Boldis (Unsplash) © GRAPHIC NEWS