Among all countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Turkey, followed by Korea, had the highest rate of Caesarean section births (or C-sections) in 2022. At that time, the rate of C-sections in Turkey was roughly 600 per 1,000 live births. Among global regions, Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest percentage of births that were delivered by C-section, while sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest rates of Cesarean section births. Cesarean section costs A Cesarean section is a form of birth where the baby is taken out through a surgical incision in the abdomen rather than a natural vaginal birth. The cost of a Cesarean section delivery varies globally, with the United States having the highest cost globally for Cesarean section deliveries, while Germany the lowest cost among selected countries worldwide. In the United States, C-sections are significantly more expensive than a delivery by vaginal birth. High C-sections rates in the U.S. Over the past 20 years the C-section rate in the U.S. has gradually been increasing with more stable trends in the past few years. It has been reported that many of the C-sections performed in the U.S. are elective and not necessary. Often, the risks of C-sections are greater than the benefits, when performed as an elective procedure. Therefore, the United States has a "healthy people target" for the c-section rate of first time, low-risk mothers. However, less than half of hospitals are meeting the national targets for Cesarean sections performed.

This statistic depicts the percentage of births that were delivered via cesarean section worldwide in 2000 and 2015, by region. According to the data, Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest rate of cesarean sections in 2015 with 44.3 percent of births being delivered by c-section.

Cesarean rates worldwide continue to increase and are projected to reach 28.5 percent by 2030 from 21.1 percent in 2018. In 2018, the highest rate of c-section was in the Latin America and the Caribbean region at nearly 43 percent. Yet the largest growth is projected for the region of Eastern Asia, where more than half of all childbirth occurs by c-section. As of 2021, this is already the case in four OECD countries.

This dataset presents the percentage of births delivered by caesarean section in each country. Caesarean birth rates reflect access to surgical delivery when medically indicated, as well as the potential for overuse. Data are drawn from the OECD Data Explorer where available, and from UNICEF’s 'Delivery Care' dataset for other countries. Monitoring caesarean rates supports health system analysis, informed policy, and efforts to ensure safe, respectful, and appropriate delivery care worldwide.Data Sources: OECD: https://data-explorer.oecd.orgUNFPA: https://data.unicef.org/topic/maternal-health/delivery-care/ Data Dictionary: The data is collated with the following columns:Column headingContent of this columnPossible valuesRefNumerical counter for each row of data, for ease of identification1+CountryShort name for the country195 countries in total – all 194 WHO member states plus PalestineISO3Three-digit alphabetical codes International Standard ISO 3166-1 assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). e.g. AFG (Afghanistan)ISO22 letter identifier code for the countrye.g. AF (Afghanistan)ICM_regionICM Region for countryAFR (Africa), AMR (Americas), EMR (Eastern Mediterranean), EUR (Europe), SEAR (South east Asia) or WPR (Western Pacific)CodeUnique project code for each indicator:GGTXXnnnGG=data group e.g. OU for outcomeT = N for novice or E for ExpertXX = identifier number 00 to 30nnn = identifier name eg mmre.g. OUN01sbafor Outcome Novice Indicator 01 skilled birth attendance Short_nameIndicator namee.g. maternal mortality ratioDescriptionText description of the indicator to be used on websitee.g. Maternal mortality ratio (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births)Value_typeDescribes the indicator typeNumeric: decimal numberPercentage: value between 0 & 100Text: value from list of text optionsY/N: yes or noValue_categoryExpect this to be ‘total’ for all indicators for Phase 1, but this could allow future disaggregation, e.g. male/female; urban/ruraltotalYearThe year that the indicator value was reported. For most indicators, we will only report if 2014 or more recente.g. 2020Latest_Value‘LATEST’ if this is the most recent reported value for the indicator since 2014, otherwise ‘No’. Useful for indicators with time trend data.LATEST or NOValueIndicator valuee.g. 99.8. NB Some indicators are calculated to several decimal places. We present the value to the number of decimal places that should be displayed on the Hub.SourceFor Caesarean birth rate [OUN13cbr] ONLY, this column indicates the source of the data, either OECD when reported, or UNICEF otherwise.OECD or UNICEFTargetHow does the latest value compare with Global guidelines / targets?meets targetdoes not meet targetmeets global standarddoes not meet global standardRankGlobal rank for indicator, i.e. the country with the best global score for this indicator will have rank = 1, next = 2, etc. This ranking is only appropriate for a few indicators, others will show ‘na’1-195Rank out ofThe total number of countries who have reported a value for this indicator. Ranking scores will only go as high as this number.Up to 195TrendIf historic data is available, an indication of the change over time. If there is a global target, then the trend is either getting better, static or getting worse. For mmr [OUN04mmr] and nmr [OUN05nmr] the average annual rate of reduction (arr) between 2016 and latest value is used to determine the trend:arr <-1.0 = getting worsearr >=-1.0 AND <=1.0 = staticarr >1.0 = getting betterFor other indicators, the trend is estimated by comparing the average of the last three years with the average ten years ago:decreasing if now < 95% 10 yrs agoincreasing if now > 105% 10 yrs agostatic otherwiseincreasingdecreasing Or, if there is a global target: getting better,static,getting worseNotesClarification comments, when necessary LongitudeFor use with mapping LatitudeFor use with mapping DateDate data uploaded to the Hubthe following codes are also possible values:not reported does not apply don’t knowThis is one of many datasets featured on the Midwives’ Data Hub, a digital platform designed to strengthen midwifery and advocate for better maternal and newborn health services.

In 2022, the cost of a C-section delivery in a hospital in the United States was 13,601 U.S. dollars, the highest by far compared to other countries in the international report. To illustrate, a C-section in a hospital in Germany cost just 2,419 U.S. dollars. The cost of childbirth vaginally was also highest in the U.S. that year.

BackgroundCaesarean section rates are increasing worldwide, and since the 2000s, several researchers have investigated women’s demand for caesarean sections.QuestionThe aim of this article was to review and summarise published studies investigating caesarean section demand and to describe the methodologies, outcomes, country characteristics and country income levels in these studies.MethodsThis is a systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2017 in French and English that quantitatively measured women’s demand for caesarean sections. We carried out a systematic search using the Medline database in PubMed.FindingsThe search strategy identified 390 studies, 41 of which met the final inclusion criteria, representing a total sample of 3 774 458 women. We identified two different study designs, i.e., cross-sectional studies and prospective cohort studies, that are commonly used to measure social demand for caesarean sections. Two different types of outcomes were reported, i.e., the preferences of pregnant or non-pregnant women regarding the method of childbirth in the future and caesarean delivery following maternal request. No study measured demand for caesarean section during the childbirth process. All included studies were conducted in middle- (n = 24) and high-income countries (n = 17), and no study performed in a low-income country was found.DiscussionMeasuring caesarean section demand is challenging, and the structural violence leading to demand for caesarean section during childbirth while in the labour ward remains invisible. In addition, the caesarean section demand in low-income countries remains unclear due to the lack of studies conducted in these countries.ConclusionWe recommend conducting prospective cohort studies to describe the social construction of caesarean section demand. We also recommend conducting studies in low-income countries because demand for caesarean sections in these countries is rarely investigated.

Change in caesarean section rates in 121 countries categorised according to the United Nations geographical grouping from 1990 to 2014a.

Caesarean section rates in 150 countries categorised according to United Nations geographical grouping in 2014a.

This statistic displays the share of childbirths that were delivered by caesarean section in Europe in 2015, by country. In this year, almost 57 percent of births in Cyprus were delivered by caesarean section, the highest rate in Europe.

Percentage of live births in the three/five years preceding the survey delivered via caesarean sectionThis dataset contains all existing disagregations for the indicator. Each disaggregation is in a separate column. Vintage is the latest availabile vintage for each geography, so there will be only one row per geography. Data download: CSV File Shape File File GeodatabaseDomain: SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHSubdomain: Maternal and newborn healthDHS Indicator ID: 00403201Indicator Number: 32Geography Level: countryMeasure: PERCENTNotes:DHS: RH_DELA_C_CSC MICS: Two years preceding the survey

Trends in selected fetal and newborn outcomes by Robson group.

Among all U.S. states, Nebraska had the highest hospital-based Cesarean section delivery rate as of 2017, with 34 percent of births being delivered via Cesarean section. Cesarean section rates were calculated for first-time, low-risk mothers. Nebraska’s Cesarean section rate is significantly higher than the U.S. target. According to recent data, over half of U.S. hospitals have C-section delivery rates higher than the national U.S. targets.

Risks of Cesarean section

A Cesarean section (or C-section) is a surgical procedure for delivering babies in which a baby is delivered by being removed through the abdomen as opposed to being delivered vaginally. Most deaths due to childbirth in the U.S. are preventable. However, women that deliver via C-section are more prone to specific health risks including, infection, excessive bleeding, and damage to the bladder, kidneys and other internal organs. While cost may not directly affect health, the risk of financial troubles based on medical expenditures is also an issue with C-section deliveries. The U.S. has some of the highest costs globally for C-section deliveries.

High U.S. Cesarean section rates

Among all OECD countries the United States raked among the top five for highest rates of cesarean section deliveries. The number of C-sections performed in the U.S. has dramatically increased since 1997. Among mothers in the U.S., older women have higher rates of C-section delivery.

Delivery care: caesarian section (2017), including country breakdown

Definitions:
Percentage of births delivered by Caesarean section.
The indicator refers to women who had a live birth in a recent time period, generally two years for MICS and five years for DHS.

Cesarean sections (CS) rates using the Robson´s classification in Peru, 2000–2010.

Cesarean Section Pack Market Outlook

The global Cesarean Section Pack market size was valued at approximately USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 2.1 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period. The increasing number of cesarean deliveries and the rising awareness regarding hygiene and infection control in surgical procedures are key growth factors driving this market. The rising demand for cesarean section packs is influenced by several factors including technological advancements and the growing emphasis on patient safety.

The increasing prevalence of cesarean deliveries is a significant driver of the market. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the rate of cesarean section births has increased globally, with some countries experiencing rates higher than 30% of all births. This upsurge is attributed to various factors, including the rise in maternal age, multiple births due to fertility treatments, and the increased prevalence of medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension in pregnant women. As these conditions often necessitate cesarean deliveries, the demand for cesarean section packs is anticipated to grow in tandem.

Technological advancements in the medical field are also a substantial growth factor for the Cesarean Section Pack market. Innovations in medical materials and sterilization techniques have led to the development of more efficient and safer cesarean section packs. For instance, disposable cesarean section packs have become more prevalent due to their convenience and reduced risk of infection. Additionally, ongoing research and development in the healthcare sector are continuously improving the quality and functionality of these packs, making them an indispensable part of modern surgical procedures.

Another crucial factor contributing to market growth is the rising awareness and implementation of stringent infection control measures in healthcare facilities. Hospitals and surgical centers are increasingly adopting sterile disposable products to minimize the risk of post-operative infections. The heightened awareness of the potential complications associated with surgical site infections has propelled the demand for high-quality cesarean section packs. This trend is further supported by regulatory guidelines and policies advocating for the use of sterile and disposable surgical instruments.

In recent years, the concept of Practitioner-Specified Procedure Packs has gained traction in the healthcare industry. These packs are tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of medical practitioners, allowing for a more customized approach to surgical procedures. By incorporating practitioner input, these procedure packs can enhance surgical efficiency and patient outcomes. The flexibility offered by Practitioner-Specified Procedure Packs enables healthcare providers to select the most appropriate components for each procedure, ensuring that all necessary tools and materials are readily available. This customization not only improves workflow but also reduces the risk of errors and enhances the overall quality of care. As the demand for personalized medical solutions continues to grow, the adoption of Practitioner-Specified Procedure Packs is expected to rise, offering significant benefits to both healthcare providers and patients.

Regionally, the Cesarean Section Pack market is expected to exhibit significant growth across various regions, with Asia Pacific and North America leading the charge. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness robust growth due to the large population base, increasing healthcare expenditure, and rising awareness about maternal health. North America, on the other hand, is driven by the high rate of cesarean deliveries and advanced healthcare infrastructure. Europe is also expected to show considerable growth, supported by the strong presence of key market players and well-established healthcare systems. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America regions are likely to experience moderate growth due to improving healthcare facilities and increasing awareness.

Product Type Analysis

The Cesarean Section Pack market is segmented by product type into Disposable Cesarean Section Pack and Reusable Cesarean Section Pack. Disposable cesarean section packs are increasingly preferred due to their single-use nature, which significantly reduces the risk of cross-contamination and infection. These packs are design

Trends in selected labor characteristics and maternal outcomes by Robson group.

Mississippi leads the nation in cesarean section rates, with 38 percent of all live births delivered via C-section in 2023. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of 32.3 percent. The high prevalence of C-sections raises important questions about maternal health care and medical decision-making in different states. Age and ethnicity influence C-section rates Demographic factors play a crucial role in the likelihood of cesarean deliveries. Maternal age significantly impacts C-section rates, with mothers aged 40 to 54 experiencing a 47.7 percent rate compared to just 18.9 percent for those under 20. Additionally, ethnic disparities persist, with non-Hispanic Black women consistently having higher C-section rates than other groups. The gap between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White women has widened from two percent in 2007 to nearly six percent by 2023. Financial implications of C-sections The cost of cesarean deliveries varies widely depending on insurance status and location. In 2023, the national median cost for an insured, in-network C-section was 16,943 U.S. dollars. However, for uninsured patients or those using out-of-network services, the median charge more than doubled to 37,653 U.S. dollars. New Jersey topped the charts for both insured and uninsured C-section costs, with median values of 26,900 U.S. dollars and 52,500 U.S. dollars respectively.

Trends in indications for caesarean section in the relevant categories of women in the Robson classification in Peru, 2000–2010.

The total average hospital bill for U.S. births varies depending on the kind of birth. In 2013, the average cost of an uncomplicated vaginal birth was around 32 thousand U.S. dollars. For a standard Cesarean section birth the cost was near 51 thousand U.S. dollars at that time. Cesarean sections are performed via the surgical removal of an infant from the mother.

Birth costs

The United States has one of the highest birthing costs in the world. The average hospital and physician costs for a normal vaginal delivery in the United States may cost twice as much as a normal vaginal birth in Australia. Cesarean sections costs are more expensive than vaginal births, but the cost difference is similar. The United States, followed by Switzerland, had the highest costs among select countries for C-section deliveries.

Birth rates and mother's age

The birth rate in the United States has decreased dramatically in recent history. Some evidence suggests that birth rates may be impacted by family income. According to recent data, lower incomes have higher birth rates in the United States. Birth rates were highest among women aged 20 to 34 years. However, there is an increasing tendency of mothers being older at the time of their first birth.

Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios of caesarean section rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.