Global Stillbirth Rate Trends 2012

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	Ethiopia	3.774 per 1,000 births
2	Somalia	3.726 per 1,000 births
3	Guinea-Bissau	3.579 per 1,000 births
4	Pakistan	3.559 per 1,000 births
5	Chad	3.34 per 1,000 births
6	Djibouti	3.334 per 1,000 births
7	Afghanistan	3.087 per 1,000 births
8	Central African Republic	3.067 per 1,000 births
9	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	2.955 per 1,000 births
10	South Sudan	2.952 per 1,000 births
11	Bangladesh	2.835 per 1,000 births
12	Lesotho	2.744 per 1,000 births
13	Mali	2.701 per 1,000 births
14	Nigeria	2.654 per 1,000 births
15	Liberia	2.602 per 1,000 births
16	Burundi	2.573 per 1,000 births
17	Côte d'Ivoire	2.523 per 1,000 births
18	Guinea	2.47 per 1,000 births
19	Sudan	2.432 per 1,000 births
20	Benin	2.369 per 1,000 births
21	Comoros	2.365 per 1,000 births
22	Ghana	2.363 per 1,000 births
23	Sierra Leone	2.354 per 1,000 births
24	Togo	2.346 per 1,000 births
25	Zimbabwe	2.281 per 1,000 births
26	Gambia	2.233 per 1,000 births
27	Burkina Faso	2.213 per 1,000 births
28	Yemen	2.197 per 1,000 births
29	Niger	2.169 per 1,000 births
30	Tanzania	2.161 per 1,000 births
31	Senegal	2.156 per 1,000 births
32	Nepal	2.146 per 1,000 births
33	Papua New Guinea	2.082 per 1,000 births
34	Angola	2.079 per 1,000 births
35	Cameroon	2.036 per 1,000 births
36	Uganda	1.998 per 1,000 births
37	Haiti	1.968 per 1,000 births
38	India	1.95 per 1,000 births
39	Mozambique	1.916 per 1,000 births
40	Kenya	1.911 per 1,000 births
41	Mauritania	1.889 per 1,000 births
42	Laos	1.877 per 1,000 births
43	Equatorial Guinea	1.854 per 1,000 births
44	Malawi	1.824 per 1,000 births
45	Madagascar	1.816 per 1,000 births
46	Rwanda	1.781 per 1,000 births
47	Eritrea	1.751 per 1,000 births
48	Cambodia	1.732 per 1,000 births
49	South Africa	1.723 per 1,000 births
50	Zambia	1.675 per 1,000 births
51	Namibia	1.593 per 1,000 births
52	Botswana	1.526 per 1,000 births
53	Congo	1.526 per 1,000 births
54	Morocco	1.521 per 1,000 births
55	Jamaica	1.483 per 1,000 births
56	Gabon	1.475 per 1,000 births
57	Timor-Leste	1.473 per 1,000 births
58	Eswatini	1.464 per 1,000 births
59	Guatemala	1.455 per 1,000 births
60	Myanmar	1.439 per 1,000 births
61	Guyana	1.436 per 1,000 births
62	Armenia	1.378 per 1,000 births
63	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	1.369 per 1,000 births
64	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	1.357 per 1,000 births
65	Solomon Islands	1.286 per 1,000 births
66	Iraq	1.283 per 1,000 births
67	Marshall Islands	1.277 per 1,000 births
68	Azerbaijan	1.274 per 1,000 births
69	Vanuatu	1.267 per 1,000 births
70	Montserrat	1.231 per 1,000 births
71	Sao Tome and Principe	1.223 per 1,000 births
72	Bahamas	1.222 per 1,000 births
73	Nicaragua	1.212 per 1,000 births
74	Syrian Arab Republic	1.21 per 1,000 births
75	Saint Lucia	1.208 per 1,000 births
76	Philippines	1.207 per 1,000 births
77	Dominica	1.204 per 1,000 births
78	Paraguay	1.187 per 1,000 births
79	Dominican Republic	1.171 per 1,000 births
80	Niue	1.161 per 1,000 births
81	Suriname	1.154 per 1,000 births
82	Tunisia	1.144 per 1,000 births
83	Bolivia	1.131 per 1,000 births
84	Algeria	1.12 per 1,000 births
85	El Salvador	1.117 per 1,000 births
86	Indonesia	1.115 per 1,000 births
87	Tuvalu	1.113 per 1,000 births
88	State of Palestine	1.105 per 1,000 births
89	Bhutan	1.089 per 1,000 births
90	Egypt	1.087 per 1,000 births
91	Tajikistan	1.062 per 1,000 births
92	Ecuador	1.056 per 1,000 births
93	Cabo Verde	1.053 per 1,000 births
94	Kiribati	1.049 per 1,000 births
95	Trinidad and Tobago	1.028 per 1,000 births
96	Honduras	1.015 per 1,000 births
97	North Korea	0.972 per 1,000 births
98	Fiji	0.972 per 1,000 births
99	Uzbekistan	0.97 per 1,000 births
100	Grenada	0.959 per 1,000 births
101	Samoa	0.959 per 1,000 births
102	Venezuela	0.945 per 1,000 births
103	Mauritius	0.94 per 1,000 births
104	Republic of Moldova	0.918 per 1,000 births
105	China	0.911 per 1,000 births
106	Seychelles	0.891 per 1,000 births
107	Palau	0.876 per 1,000 births
108	Jordan	0.865 per 1,000 births
109	Saint Kitts and Nevis	0.862 per 1,000 births
110	Belize	0.854 per 1,000 births
111	Turkmenistan	0.834 per 1,000 births
112	Antigua and Barbuda	0.831 per 1,000 births
113	Libya	0.83 per 1,000 births
114	Vietnam	0.827 per 1,000 births
115	Brazil	0.824 per 1,000 births
116	Lebanon	0.821 per 1,000 births
117	Colombia	0.82 per 1,000 births
118	Kyrgyzstan	0.819 per 1,000 births
119	Georgia	0.818 per 1,000 births
120	Peru	0.812 per 1,000 births
121	Tonga	0.798 per 1,000 births
122	Nauru	0.793 per 1,000 births
123	Turks and Caicos Islands	0.761 per 1,000 births
124	British Virgin Islands	0.756 per 1,000 births
125	Cook Islands	0.739 per 1,000 births
126	Mexico	0.713 per 1,000 births
127	Kazakhstan	0.695 per 1,000 births
128	Maldives	0.683 per 1,000 births
129	Sri Lanka	0.681 per 1,000 births
130	Mongolia	0.664 per 1,000 births
131	Iran	0.657 per 1,000 births
132	Cuba	0.646 per 1,000 births
133	Bulgaria	0.635 per 1,000 births
134	Qatar	0.613 per 1,000 births
135	Bahrain	0.599 per 1,000 births
136	Panama	0.591 per 1,000 births
137	North Macedonia	0.589 per 1,000 births
138	Oman	0.588 per 1,000 births
139	Anguilla	0.552 per 1,000 births
140	Turkey	0.548 per 1,000 births
141	Saudi Arabia	0.542 per 1,000 births
142	Barbados	0.536 per 1,000 births
143	Kuwait	0.534 per 1,000 births
144	United Arab Emirates	0.529 per 1,000 births
145	Argentina	0.508 per 1,000 births
146	Costa Rica	0.497 per 1,000 births
147	Ukraine	0.49 per 1,000 births
148	Serbia	0.469 per 1,000 births
149	Thailand	0.465 per 1,000 births
150	Russia	0.46 per 1,000 births
151	Albania	0.456 per 1,000 births
152	Uruguay	0.455 per 1,000 births
153	Montenegro	0.448 per 1,000 births
154	Malaysia	0.434 per 1,000 births
155	Romania	0.412 per 1,000 births
156	Latvia	0.406 per 1,000 births
157	Brunei Darussalam	0.405 per 1,000 births
158	United Kingdom	0.354 per 1,000 births
159	Luxembourg	0.351 per 1,000 births
160	Hungary	0.347 per 1,000 births
161	Malta	0.345 per 1,000 births
162	Chile	0.342 per 1,000 births
163	Ireland	0.338 per 1,000 births
164	Greece	0.33 per 1,000 births
165	Lithuania	0.322 per 1,000 births
166	Slovakia	0.313 per 1,000 births
167	Belgium	0.313 per 1,000 births
168	Croatia	0.311 per 1,000 births
169	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0.302 per 1,000 births
170	United States	0.297 per 1,000 births
171	New Zealand	0.297 per 1,000 births
172	Poland	0.294 per 1,000 births
173	France	0.293 per 1,000 births
174	Australia	0.292 per 1,000 births
175	Sweden	0.291 per 1,000 births
176	Canada	0.288 per 1,000 births
177	Israel	0.28 per 1,000 births
178	Estonia	0.278 per 1,000 births
179	Cyprus	0.277 per 1,000 births
180	Spain	0.275 per 1,000 births
181	Norway	0.275 per 1,000 births
182	Slovenia	0.274 per 1,000 births
183	Andorra	0.272 per 1,000 births
184	Netherlands	0.264 per 1,000 births
185	Czech Republic	0.263 per 1,000 births
186	Portugal	0.26 per 1,000 births
187	Denmark	0.252 per 1,000 births
188	San Marino	0.248 per 1,000 births
189	Austria	0.246 per 1,000 births
190	Italy	0.243 per 1,000 births
191	Singapore	0.234 per 1,000 births
192	Germany	0.23 per 1,000 births
193	Belarus	0.227 per 1,000 births
194	Switzerland	0.223 per 1,000 births
195	South Korea	0.202 per 1,000 births
196	Iceland	0.2 per 1,000 births
197	Finland	0.199 per 1,000 births
198	Japan	0.191 per 1,000 births
199	Monaco	0.177 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 2012, the country with the highest Global Stillbirth Rate Trends was Ethiopia, with a rate of 3.77 per 1,000 births, while the global range spanned from 0.18 to 3.77 per 1,000 births. The global average stillbirth rate was 1.16 per 1,000 births, providing a broader perspective on worldwide health outcomes related to stillbirths.

Economic and Healthcare Influences on Stillbirth Rates

Economic factors and healthcare quality play pivotal roles in shaping Global Stillbirth Rate Trends. Countries such as Somalia and Guinea-Bissau, with stillbirth rates of 3.73 and 3.58 per 1,000 births respectively, often face challenges such as limited healthcare access and insufficient maternal care facilities. In contrast, countries with more robust economies and healthcare systems, like Monaco and Japan, boast significantly lower rates of 0.18 and 0.19 per 1,000 births. Economic stability facilitates investments in healthcare infrastructure, leading to improved maternal and prenatal care, which are crucial for reducing stillbirth rates.

Geopolitical Stability and Its Impact on Stillbirth Rates

Geopolitical stability is another determinant affecting stillbirth rates. Regions experiencing conflict or political instability, such as Afghanistan and South Sudan, report higher stillbirth rates of 3.09 and 2.95 per 1,000 births. These conditions often disrupt healthcare services and hinder access to essential maternal health resources. Conversely, countries like Germany and Finland, with rates of 0.23 and 0.20 per 1,000 births, benefit from stable governance, which supports consistent healthcare service delivery and infrastructure development.

Year-over-Year Changes and Notable Trends

Between 2011 and 2012, the Global Stillbirth Rate Trends exhibited an average decrease of 0.02 per 1,000 births, representing a 1.7% decline. Somalia experienced the largest reduction, with a 0.15 decrease, equating to a 3.8% improvement. This reduction may reflect targeted international aid efforts and improvements in maternal healthcare initiatives. On the contrary, the Central African Republic saw the largest increase of 0.11, a 3.7% rise, possibly due to ongoing conflicts and economic challenges that hinder healthcare access.

Demographic Dynamics and Stillbirth Rates

Demographic factors, including population density and urbanization, also influence stillbirth rates. Countries with high urbanization, such as South Korea and Singapore, report lower rates of 0.20 and 0.23 per 1,000 births, as urban centers often provide better access to healthcare facilities and maternal care services. In contrast, countries with predominantly rural populations, such as Chad and Djibouti, with rates of 3.34 and 3.33 per 1,000 births, face logistical challenges in delivering healthcare services to remote areas, contributing to higher stillbirth rates.

Overall, the Global Stillbirth Rate Trends in 2012 reveal significant disparities that align closely with economic, geopolitical, and demographic realities. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions that enhance healthcare access and quality, particularly in regions facing economic hardship and political instability.

Frequently Asked Questions About Global Stillbirth Rate Trends in 2012

Which country had the highest stillbirth rate in 2012?

Ethiopia had the highest stillbirth rate in 2012, with 3.77 per 1,000 births.

Which country had the lowest stillbirth rate in 2012?

Monaco had the lowest stillbirth rate in 2012, with 0.18 per 1,000 births.

What was the average stillbirth rate across countries in 2012?

The average stillbirth rate across countries in 2012 was 1.16 per 1,000 births.

What was the median stillbirth rate among countries in 2012?

The median stillbirth rate among countries in 2012 was 0.96 per 1,000 births.

Which countries were in the top 10 for highest stillbirth rates in 2012?

The top 10 countries for highest stillbirth rates in 2012 were Ethiopia, Somalia, Guinea-Bissau, Pakistan, Chad, Djibouti, Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the, and South Sudan.

Which countries were in the bottom 10 for lowest stillbirth rates in 2012?

The bottom 10 countries for lowest stillbirth rates in 2012 were Monaco, Japan, Finland, Iceland, South Korea, Switzerland, Belarus, Germany, Singapore, and Italy.

Insights by country

Israel

In 2012, Israel ranked #177 globally with a stillbirth rate of 0.2797594 per 1,000 births. This figure is significantly lower than that of countries with the highest stillbirth rates, indicating a relative success in maternal and infant health. Contributing factors to Israel's performance include advanced healthcare infrastructure, widespread access to prenatal care, and effective public health policies aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Republic of Moldova

In 2012, the Republic of Moldova had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 0.9180072 per 1,000 births, ranking #104 out of 199 countries. This rate is higher than the global average, indicating challenges in maternal and neonatal health. Contributing factors include limited access to quality healthcare services, economic constraints, and a high prevalence of poverty, which affect prenatal care and overall health outcomes for mothers and infants.

China

In 2012, China had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 0.9110878 per 1,000 births, ranking #105 out of 199 countries. This rate is higher than the global average, indicating significant challenges in maternal and neonatal health. Contributing factors include disparities in healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, and the impact of the one-child policy, which has influenced reproductive health practices and family planning. Additionally, rapid urbanization has led to varying healthcare quality across regions.

Albania

In 2012, Albania ranked #151 globally for Global Stillbirth Rate Trends, with a rate of 0.45622152 per 1,000 births. This rate is notably higher than the global average, indicating room for improvement in maternal healthcare. Contributing factors include limited access to advanced medical facilities, particularly in rural areas, and challenges in healthcare infrastructure that impact prenatal care quality.

Central African Republic

In 2012, the Central African Republic had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 3.066799 per 1,000 births, ranking #8 out of 199 countries. This figure is significantly higher than many neighboring countries, indicating a critical public health issue. Contributing factors include ongoing conflict, limited access to healthcare services, and high rates of maternal malnutrition, which exacerbate the risks associated with childbirth.

Lesotho

In 2012, Lesotho ranked #12 globally with a stillbirth rate of 2.7444062 per 1,000 births in the Global Stillbirth Rate Trends. This rate is notably lower than the average for sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting Lesotho's relative progress in maternal health. Contributing factors to this statistic include the country's ongoing efforts to improve healthcare access and maternal care, despite challenges such as high rates of HIV/AIDS and poverty that impact overall health outcomes.

Grenada

In 2012, Grenada had a Global Stillbirth Rate of 0.9594016 per 1,000 births, ranking #100 out of 199 countries. This rate is lower than the global average, indicating a relatively favorable outcome compared to many nations. Contributing factors to Grenada's performance include its investment in maternal health care services and community health initiatives aimed at improving prenatal care.

Ecuador

Ecuador ranked #92 globally with a stillbirth rate of 1.0563233 per 1,000 births in 2012. This figure is higher than the global average, indicating challenges in maternal and neonatal health. Key drivers include limited access to quality healthcare in rural areas and socioeconomic factors that affect prenatal care. Additionally, Ecuador's geographic diversity can complicate healthcare delivery, particularly in remote regions.

Iran

In 2012, Iran had a global stillbirth rate of 0.6565083 per 1,000 births, ranking #131 out of 199 countries. This rate is relatively lower than some neighboring countries, indicating progress in maternal and neonatal health. Key drivers of this statistic include Iran's investment in healthcare infrastructure and maternal health programs, which have improved access to prenatal care and reduced complications during childbirth.

Georgia

In 2012, Georgia ranked #119 in Global Stillbirth Rate Trends with a value of 0.8182775 per 1,000 births. This rate is higher than some neighboring countries, reflecting challenges in maternal healthcare access and socioeconomic factors. Key drivers include a relatively underdeveloped healthcare system and disparities in rural versus urban healthcare services, which can contribute to higher stillbirth rates.

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.

2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

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