STATE OF MOTHERHOOD · 2018–2025The State of Motherhood
Since 2018, Motherly has proudly provided an in-depth look at the challenges, fears and triumphs that define modern motherhood. Every year, we’ve polled thousands of moms for our annual State of Motherhood survey. In a time when motherhood feels more fraught than ever, we decided to take a look at what nearly a decade of data reveals about what moms need right now.
WHAT NEARLY A DECADE OF DATA REVEALS
CHAPTER 01We’re making sacrifices — but it’s not moving the needle
Moms are scaling back at work
82%
of Gen Z moms considered leaving the workforce in 2024
62%
of all moms in 2025 have already left the workforce or have cut work hours
67%
SAHM rate increased from 15% in 2022 to 25% in 2023
Moms considering leaving the workforce
48%
2021
58%
2022
52%
2023
66%
2024
And having fewer children
Moms planning to have more children
56%
2018
24%
2025
But we're still burned out
How burned out are you vs. last year?*
48%
More burned out
35%
About the same
17%
Less burned out
*2025, all moms
CHAPTER 02We can't get the help we need
Moms are contributing more financially, but we’re still responsible for most household chores.
Moms’ financial contributions vs. household chores
Moms doing most household chores
Moms contributing ≥ half of household income
2018
37%
57%
2023
47%
58%
0%
50%
100%
MOMS CONSIDERING LEAVING THE WORKFORCE
OVER CHILDCARE
The increasingly exorbitant cost of childcare is pushing us out of the workforce.
48%
2021
66%
2024
CHAPTER 03These stressors are making us more isolated
The village is shrinking, we’re having fewer nights out for ourselves, and we’re increasingly lonely.
CHAPTER 04The GOOD news? We know what we NEED
Support for family
policies like paid leave
and affordable childcare
has skyrocketed.
Moms who reconnected with their village in 2025 found value in getting together.
71% credit in-person meet-ups for reconnecting.
And younger moms are
better at getting help.
In 2025, Gen Z moms were more likely to seek therapy, ask for financial help and share household chores equally than their Millennial peers.
CHAPTER 05Now we need to be heard
What’s next
for moms
Eight years of Motherly’s survey data confirm what decades of research and policy experts have long established: American moms are struggling with the demands of modern motherhood, with too little support from their employers, partners and elected leaders. Too many moms don’t have access to paid family leave, can’t afford childcare, and don’t have a community they can count on for support. Not only does our data show moms are increasingly overwhelmed, these pressures are also taking a toll on our mental health, with devastating effects, as we’ve seen this year.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Together, we can create communities and policies that uplift and empower the women who are raising the next generation. Motherly is committed to serving as the trusted platform for modern motherhood and creating a community where no mom feels isolated or unheard. Built for the woman behind the mom and every version of her along the way. Nobody can do this alone. That’s why Motherly is here. Join us.
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