Cesarean section rates continue to rise worldwide. In the three OECD
, more babies were born through surgery than vaginally. C-sections can be planned, but are often unplanned when unexpected problems arise during a vaginal delivery which could put the mother or baby at risk. A c-section can be life-saving and is medically necessary in situations such as having a 'low-lying' placenta, a 'breech' baby, prolonged or obstructed labor, or when there is fetal distress. However, it is still a major surgery and involves both short-term and long-terms health risks for the mothers and babies. For example, the potential for heavy bleeding or infection, slower recovery times after childbirth, delays in establishing breastfeeding and skin-to-skin contact, and increased likelihood of complications in future pregnancies. Therefore, the WHO recommends the reduction of medically unnecessary cesarean sections such with as low-risk first time mothers. Yet, the
is increasing in every region around the world. Global rates are projected to reach 28.5 percent by 2030.
The United States
Like other countries,
rates of cesarean delivery in the United States have increased over the past few decades. Whereas there were 208 cesarean deliveries per 1,000 live births in the U.S. in 1997, there were 323 such procedures per 1,000 live births in 2023. This puts the U.S. on the higher end compared to other OECD countries. Rates of cesarean deliveries in the U.S. are higher among non-Hispanic black women than other
races and ethnicities and are more common among
older mothers. There are also large
variations between states, ranging from Alaska with 24 percent to Mississippi with 37.9 percent of all live births being delivered by c-section.
Why is the rate of c-section increasing?
Some have speculated that one of the reasons for the increase in c-sections in many parts of the world, and in particular the United States, is financial. In California, for example, the average cost for a vaginal birth with insurance in 2023 was estimated to be almost 14 thousand dollars, while the
cost of a c-section with insurance was nearly 17 thousand dollars.
Without health insurance, a c-section in New Jersey could cost as much as 52,600 dollars. Such high costs can often lead to
medical debts. However, financial incentives alone are not enough to explain the rise in cesarean sections around the globe. Such increases are most likely the result of a combination of factors which include, but are not limited to, the shorter time a c-section takes compared to a vaginal birth, safeguarding legal responsibility of the doctor and hospital, being able to better 'plan' the birth, and women becoming
pregnant later in life. Moreover, an increasingly sedentary lifestyle with rising obesity can only facilitate the growing trend.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no
liability for the information given being complete or correct.
Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date
data than referenced in the text.
