The rate of single women having babies has dropped in recent years.

According to the CDC, the percentage of babies born to unwed mothers in 2013 (40.6 percent) has dropped 7 percent since 2008. Birth rates among mother over the age of 35 did not follow this trend, however. Instead, those rates went up.

The number of births for single mothers is still higher than it has been historically, though this is thought to reflect a change in cultural attitudes towards marriage and child-rearing. Still, the 1.6 million births to unwed mothers in their earlier 30’s or younger is the lowest number recorded since 2005. This drop was most pronounced among teen, Hispanic and black women.

The declining birth rates within these groups of women are thought to reflect general declines in the number of babies being born within the United States. The CDC’s report states that the shift began around 2007 in response to the economic downturn within the country. The report also says that the lower fertility rates coincide with areas hit hardest by the recession.

It appears that more women are waiting until later in life to give birth as well. The number of babies born to mothers between 40 and 44 years of age went up 29 percent from 2007 to 2012. During the same time period, the number of births for women aged 35-39 went up 7 percent. Again, this is thought to reflect a cultural shift away from stigmas surrounding unwed mothers and women who wait to start families.

The report also states that married women are having fewer babies as well, though this change is less pronounced than among unmarried women.