Global Stillbirth Rate Trends 2005

Explore global trends in stillbirth rates, highlighting improvements or setbacks over time across different countries.

199 data points•Updated 9/28/2026•Global Coverage•Stillbirth rate | Our World in Data•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Guinea-Bissau	4.381 per 1,000 births
2	Somalia	4.188 per 1,000 births
3	Ethiopia	4.08 per 1,000 births
4	Pakistan	3.905 per 1,000 births
5	Chad	3.642 per 1,000 births
6	Djibouti	3.578 per 1,000 births
7	South Sudan	3.574 per 1,000 births
8	Bangladesh	3.506 per 1,000 births
9	Central African Republic	3.506 per 1,000 births
10	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	3.408 per 1,000 births
11	Afghanistan	3.33 per 1,000 births
12	Lesotho	3.296 per 1,000 births
13	Liberia	3.199 per 1,000 births
14	Burundi	2.991 per 1,000 births
15	Mali	2.89 per 1,000 births
16	Sierra Leone	2.876 per 1,000 births
17	Burkina Faso	2.857 per 1,000 births
18	Nigeria	2.795 per 1,000 births
19	Côte d'Ivoire	2.735 per 1,000 births
20	Nepal	2.734 per 1,000 births
21	Ghana	2.681 per 1,000 births
22	Niger	2.618 per 1,000 births
23	Benin	2.611 per 1,000 births
24	Sudan	2.605 per 1,000 births
25	India	2.585 per 1,000 births
26	Comoros	2.581 per 1,000 births
27	Guinea	2.536 per 1,000 births
28	Laos	2.528 per 1,000 births
29	Togo	2.486 per 1,000 births
30	Haiti	2.453 per 1,000 births
31	Yemen	2.447 per 1,000 births
32	Angola	2.426 per 1,000 births
33	Senegal	2.37 per 1,000 births
34	Tanzania	2.364 per 1,000 births
35	Zimbabwe	2.351 per 1,000 births
36	Cambodia	2.333 per 1,000 births
37	Gambia	2.323 per 1,000 births
38	Mauritania	2.315 per 1,000 births
39	Papua New Guinea	2.286 per 1,000 births
40	Mozambique	2.264 per 1,000 births
41	Cameroon	2.228 per 1,000 births
42	Rwanda	2.212 per 1,000 births
43	Equatorial Guinea	2.197 per 1,000 births
44	Uganda	2.133 per 1,000 births
45	Eritrea	2.047 per 1,000 births
46	Timor-Leste	2.044 per 1,000 births
47	Malawi	1.971 per 1,000 births
48	Madagascar	1.952 per 1,000 births
49	Kenya	1.938 per 1,000 births
50	Zambia	1.923 per 1,000 births
51	South Africa	1.893 per 1,000 births
52	Congo	1.844 per 1,000 births
53	Morocco	1.835 per 1,000 births
54	Guatemala	1.819 per 1,000 births
55	Jamaica	1.783 per 1,000 births
56	Gabon	1.719 per 1,000 births
57	Azerbaijan	1.712 per 1,000 births
58	Guyana	1.619 per 1,000 births
59	Namibia	1.58 per 1,000 births
60	Myanmar	1.573 per 1,000 births
61	Paraguay	1.558 per 1,000 births
62	Algeria	1.556 per 1,000 births
63	Eswatini	1.549 per 1,000 births
64	Armenia	1.531 per 1,000 births
65	Montserrat	1.525 per 1,000 births
66	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	1.516 per 1,000 births
67	Botswana	1.498 per 1,000 births
68	El Salvador	1.469 per 1,000 births
69	Solomon Islands	1.468 per 1,000 births
70	Bahamas	1.468 per 1,000 births
71	Philippines	1.46 per 1,000 births
72	Bolivia	1.455 per 1,000 births
73	Bhutan	1.455 per 1,000 births
74	Iraq	1.421 per 1,000 births
75	Egypt	1.411 per 1,000 births
76	Tuvalu	1.403 per 1,000 births
77	Marshall Islands	1.398 per 1,000 births
78	Sao Tome and Principe	1.388 per 1,000 births
79	Ecuador	1.378 per 1,000 births
80	Nicaragua	1.366 per 1,000 births
81	Indonesia	1.352 per 1,000 births
82	China	1.332 per 1,000 births
83	Tajikistan	1.324 per 1,000 births
84	State of Palestine	1.309 per 1,000 births
85	Saint Lucia	1.3 per 1,000 births
86	Dominican Republic	1.286 per 1,000 births
87	Kiribati	1.281 per 1,000 births
88	Vanuatu	1.281 per 1,000 births
89	Syrian Arab Republic	1.279 per 1,000 births
90	Niue	1.274 per 1,000 births
91	Honduras	1.247 per 1,000 births
92	Tunisia	1.237 per 1,000 births
93	Suriname	1.222 per 1,000 births
94	Kazakhstan	1.197 per 1,000 births
95	Georgia	1.188 per 1,000 births
96	Uzbekistan	1.184 per 1,000 births
97	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1.18 per 1,000 births
98	Cabo Verde	1.18 per 1,000 births
99	Dominica	1.138 per 1,000 births
100	Trinidad and Tobago	1.129 per 1,000 births
101	Republic of Moldova	1.127 per 1,000 births
102	Peru	1.106 per 1,000 births
103	Fiji	1.106 per 1,000 births
104	North Korea	1.1 per 1,000 births
105	Jordan	1.093 per 1,000 births
106	Maldives	1.023 per 1,000 births
107	Venezuela	1.018 per 1,000 births
108	Libya	1.012 per 1,000 births
109	Mongolia	1.01 per 1,000 births
110	Samoa	1.006 per 1,000 births
111	Vietnam	0.995 per 1,000 births
112	Kyrgyzstan	0.992 per 1,000 births
113	Lebanon	0.99 per 1,000 births
114	Nauru	0.983 per 1,000 births
115	Mauritius	0.976 per 1,000 births
116	Iran	0.971 per 1,000 births
117	Antigua and Barbuda	0.958 per 1,000 births
118	Turkmenistan	0.957 per 1,000 births
119	Palau	0.956 per 1,000 births
120	Grenada	0.942 per 1,000 births
121	Cook Islands	0.917 per 1,000 births
122	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0.917 per 1,000 births
123	Brazil	0.914 per 1,000 births
124	Turks and Caicos Islands	0.909 per 1,000 births
125	Seychelles	0.901 per 1,000 births
126	Cuba	0.897 per 1,000 births
127	Belize	0.896 per 1,000 births
128	Colombia	0.896 per 1,000 births
129	Tonga	0.884 per 1,000 births
130	Sri Lanka	0.872 per 1,000 births
131	Turkey	0.87 per 1,000 births
132	North Macedonia	0.838 per 1,000 births
133	British Virgin Islands	0.798 per 1,000 births
134	Mexico	0.777 per 1,000 births
135	Bulgaria	0.759 per 1,000 births
136	United Arab Emirates	0.751 per 1,000 births
137	Panama	0.706 per 1,000 births
138	Oman	0.678 per 1,000 births
139	Saudi Arabia	0.678 per 1,000 births
140	Bahrain	0.666 per 1,000 births
141	Uruguay	0.645 per 1,000 births
142	Albania	0.645 per 1,000 births
143	Anguilla	0.634 per 1,000 births
144	Qatar	0.626 per 1,000 births
145	Barbados	0.603 per 1,000 births
146	Kuwait	0.59 per 1,000 births
147	Argentina	0.583 per 1,000 births
148	Ukraine	0.577 per 1,000 births
149	Thailand	0.574 per 1,000 births
150	Russia	0.564 per 1,000 births
151	Romania	0.563 per 1,000 births
152	Serbia	0.512 per 1,000 births
153	Costa Rica	0.51 per 1,000 births
154	Brunei Darussalam	0.485 per 1,000 births
155	Montenegro	0.464 per 1,000 births
156	Latvia	0.464 per 1,000 births
157	Malaysia	0.439 per 1,000 births
158	United Kingdom	0.428 per 1,000 births
159	Ireland	0.427 per 1,000 births
160	Croatia	0.425 per 1,000 births
161	Lithuania	0.415 per 1,000 births
162	Netherlands	0.411 per 1,000 births
163	Chile	0.4 per 1,000 births
164	France	0.392 per 1,000 births
165	Hungary	0.39 per 1,000 births
166	Slovakia	0.377 per 1,000 births
167	Estonia	0.375 per 1,000 births
168	Belarus	0.374 per 1,000 births
169	Poland	0.359 per 1,000 births
170	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.352 per 1,000 births
171	New Zealand	0.351 per 1,000 births
172	Malta	0.351 per 1,000 births
173	Slovenia	0.345 per 1,000 births
174	Cyprus	0.342 per 1,000 births
175	Greece	0.332 per 1,000 births
176	Belgium	0.324 per 1,000 births
177	Australia	0.317 per 1,000 births
178	Luxembourg	0.314 per 1,000 births
179	Portugal	0.312 per 1,000 births
180	Norway	0.309 per 1,000 births
181	Andorra	0.306 per 1,000 births
182	Sweden	0.306 per 1,000 births
183	Israel	0.302 per 1,000 births
184	United States	0.298 per 1,000 births
185	Canada	0.297 per 1,000 births
186	San Marino	0.291 per 1,000 births
187	Denmark	0.289 per 1,000 births
188	Spain	0.282 per 1,000 births
189	Czech Republic	0.271 per 1,000 births
190	Singapore	0.263 per 1,000 births
191	Germany	0.262 per 1,000 births
192	Austria	0.26 per 1,000 births
193	Switzerland	0.257 per 1,000 births
194	South Korea	0.257 per 1,000 births
195	Monaco	0.246 per 1,000 births
196	Italy	0.245 per 1,000 births
197	Iceland	0.234 per 1,000 births
198	Finland	0.226 per 1,000 births
199	Japan	0.223 per 1,000 births

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 2005, the country with the highest Global Stillbirth Rate Trends was Guinea-Bissau with a rate of 4.38 per 1,000 births, while the range globally extended from a minimum of 0.22 to a maximum of 4.38. The global average stillbirth rate was 1.35 per 1,000 births, providing a benchmark for understanding disparities across different regions and countries.

Socioeconomic Factors Influencing Stillbirth Rates

Countries exhibiting higher stillbirth rates, such as Guinea-Bissau (4.38), Somalia (4.19), and Ethiopia (4.08), often struggle with socioeconomic challenges. Limited access to quality healthcare, inadequate maternal nutrition, and low health education levels contribute significantly to these figures. In contrast, nations with advanced healthcare systems, such as Japan (0.22) and Finland (0.23), report the lowest rates, underscoring the impact of economic stability and healthcare infrastructure on stillbirth outcomes.

Healthcare Infrastructure and Its Impact

The disparity in stillbirth rates can be attributed to differences in healthcare infrastructure. Countries like South Korea (0.26) and Switzerland (0.26) benefit from comprehensive prenatal care programs and advanced medical facilities, which help reduce stillbirth incidences. Conversely, nations such as Chad (3.64) and Djibouti (3.58) face challenges with healthcare accessibility, often due to economic constraints and geographic isolation, leading to higher rates.

Year-over-Year Changes in Stillbirth Rates

The global average stillbirth rate decreased by 2.5% in 2005, reflecting a positive trend in many regions. Guinea-Bissau saw the most significant decrease, with a reduction of 0.19 (-4.1%), indicating potential improvements in healthcare or policy interventions. Similarly, Afghanistan and Cambodia witnessed decreases of 0.17 and 0.15 respectively, showing progress in health initiatives. However, countries like Botswana experienced an increase of 0.04 (3.0%), suggesting areas where healthcare systems may require strengthening.

Policy and Global Stillbirth Rate Trends

Effective policy implementation plays a crucial role in reducing stillbirth rates. Countries with comprehensive maternal health policies often report lower rates. For example, Germany (0.26) and Austria (0.26) have robust healthcare policies that ensure high-quality prenatal care. On the other hand, countries like South Sudan (3.57) and Bangladesh (3.51) may benefit from policy reforms and international aid aimed at improving maternal health services to address their higher stillbirth rates.

Understanding these trends provides critical insights into the health disparities that exist globally. While some regions demonstrate significant progress, others require concerted efforts to address the underlying causes of high stillbirth rates, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions and international cooperation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Stillbirth Rate Trends in 2005

Which country had the highest stillbirth rate in 2005?

Guinea-Bissau had the highest stillbirth rate in 2005, with 4.38 per 1,000 births.

Which country had the lowest stillbirth rate in 2005?

Japan had the lowest stillbirth rate in 2005, with 0.22 per 1,000 births.

What was the average stillbirth rate across all countries in 2005?

The average stillbirth rate across all countries in 2005 was 1.35 per 1,000 births.

What was the median stillbirth rate among countries in 2005?

The median stillbirth rate among countries in 2005 was 1.13 per 1,000 births.

How many countries are included in the dataset for stillbirth rates in 2005?

The dataset for stillbirth rates in 2005 includes 199 countries.

Which countries were in the top 3 for highest stillbirth rates in 2005?

The top 3 countries with the highest stillbirth rates in 2005 were Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Insights by country

Saint Lucia

In 2005, Saint Lucia had a global stillbirth rate of 1.3000889 per 1,000 births, ranking #85 out of 199 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to the global average, indicating better maternal health outcomes than many nations. Contributing factors include improvements in healthcare access and maternal care policies, which have been prioritized by the government to reduce infant mortality.

Honduras

In 2005, Honduras had a global stillbirth rate of 1.24732 per 1,000 births, ranking #91 out of 199 countries. This rate is higher than the global average, indicating significant challenges in maternal and infant health. Contributing factors include limited access to quality healthcare, high poverty rates, and geographic barriers that affect healthcare delivery in rural areas.

Dominica

In 2005, Dominica had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 1.1381848 per 1,000 births, ranking #99 out of 199 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to global averages, indicating better maternal health outcomes in the region. Contributing factors include Dominica's focus on healthcare access and maternal care programs, which have been prioritized in recent years to improve overall health indicators.

Georgia

In 2005, Georgia ranked #95 globally with a stillbirth rate of 1.1881796 per 1,000 births. This rate is notably higher than many European countries, reflecting challenges in maternal healthcare access and quality. Contributing factors include economic constraints and regional disparities in healthcare infrastructure, which have historically impacted maternal and infant health outcomes.

Haiti

In 2005, Haiti had a global stillbirth rate of 2.4528842 per 1,000 births, ranking #30 out of 199 countries. This rate is notably higher than the global average, reflecting significant challenges in maternal and infant health. Contributing factors include Haiti's limited healthcare infrastructure, high rates of poverty, and the aftermath of natural disasters that have strained resources and access to care.

Kiribati

In 2005, Kiribati had a global stillbirth rate of 1.281491 per 1,000 births, ranking #87 out of 199 countries. This rate is significantly higher than many countries in the Pacific region, indicating potential challenges in maternal and infant healthcare. Contributing factors include limited access to healthcare services, geographic isolation of its islands, and economic constraints that affect healthcare infrastructure and maternal care programs.

India

In 2005, India ranked #25 globally with a stillbirth rate of 2.5853083 per 1,000 births. This rate is higher than many neighboring countries, reflecting significant challenges in maternal health and healthcare access. Key drivers include socio-economic disparities, limited access to quality prenatal care, and regional variations in healthcare infrastructure, which impact the overall health outcomes for mothers and infants.

Antigua and Barbuda

In 2005, Antigua and Barbuda had a Global Stillbirth Rate Trends value of 0.95839804 per 1,000 births, ranking #117 out of 199 countries. This rate is relatively low compared to many regions, reflecting better healthcare access than some neighboring Caribbean nations. Contributing factors include the country's investment in maternal health services and a focus on reducing infant mortality through public health initiatives.

Mozambique

In 2005, Mozambique had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 2.2642539 per 1,000 births, ranking #40 out of 199 countries. This rate is higher than the global average, reflecting significant challenges in maternal and neonatal healthcare. Factors contributing to this statistic include limited access to quality healthcare services, high rates of poverty, and the impact of infectious diseases, which hinder maternal health and prenatal care in the country.

Djibouti

In 2005, Djibouti ranked #6 globally with a stillbirth rate of 3.5776477 per 1,000 births. This rate is significantly lower than the global average, indicating better maternal health outcomes compared to many other nations. Key drivers of this statistic include Djibouti's strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure and initiatives aimed at improving prenatal care access, particularly in urban areas.

Data Source

Stillbirth rate | Our World in Data

Our World in Data is a research initiative that provides comprehensive global statistics on various development topics, including health, education, and the economy. The dataset on stillbirth rates offers country-level statistics that track the prevalence of stillbirths, helping to inform public health initiatives and policies.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Global Stillbirth Rate Trends data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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