In 2023, around **** percent of all live births were delivered by cesarean section in the United States. The rate of c-section in the U.S. has been increasing since 1997 where it was **** percent to a peak of **** percent in 2009. C-section rate has since varied little and stayed around ** percent.

Mississippi leads the nation in cesarean section rates, with ** percent of all live births delivered via C-section in 2023. This figure significantly surpasses the national average of **** 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 **** percent rate compared to just **** percent for those under **. 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 *** percent in 2007 to nearly *** 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 ****** U.S. dollars. However, for uninsured patients or those using out-of-network services, the median charge more than doubled to ****** U.S. dollars. New Jersey topped the charts for both insured and uninsured C-section costs, with median values of ****** U.S. dollars and ****** U.S. dollars respectively.

Cesarean section rates increased with increasing age of mother in the United Sates. In 2023, around 18.9 percent of mothers under the age of 20 gave birth via c-section, while the rate of cesarean delivery for mothers aged 40 to 54 was 48.1 percent. In the recorded time period, c-section rates for most age groups peaked in 2007 and has decreased slightly since then.

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.

The cost of giving birth through cesarean section in the United States varies significantly by state and insurance status. In 2023, the national median charge for a C-section delivery for those without insurance, or using out-of-network services, was ****** U.S. dollars, with New Jersey topping the list of the highest costs at ****** U.S. dollars.
Insurance impact on c-section costs Having insurance significantly reduces the financial burden of childbirth. The national median allowed value for insured, in-network C-sections was ****** U.S. dollars in 2023, less than half the cost for uninsured patients. Even with insurance, costs vary widely by state, with New Jersey again having the highest median allowed value at ****** U.S. dollars. The disparity between insured and uninsured costs underscores the importance of healthcare coverage for expectant mothers. C-section rates and reasons C-section rates in the United States remain higher than national targets. In 2024, the average C-section rate for low-risk first-time mothers was **** percent, above the national target of **** percent. Among all live births, the C-section rate was even higher, at **** percent in 2023. A 2023 survey revealed that about a ******* of women who had C-sections in the past six months did so due to previous C-sections, while over **** reported having emergency C-sections.

From 1996 to 2023, cesarean delivery rates in the U.S. varied from one ethnicity to another, with non-Hispanic Black women having the highest rate of c-sections, with a percentage of ** in 2023. The discrepancy between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White has increased from *** percentage points in 2007 to over ***** percentage points in 2023.

According to a survey in 2023, about a quarter of women in the U.S. who had a cesarean section in the past six months said that they had a scheduled cesarean section due to previous c-section(s). On the other hand, over half of mothers reported having an emergency c-section, either before labor started (15 percent) or after labor started (39 percent). Only three percent reported their c-section being elective as in their own choice.

According to a U.S. hospital survey, the average nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) cesarean section rate was 25.3 percent in 2024*. This is the c-section rate for low-risk first-time mothers, which did not meet the national target of 23.6 percent**. C-sections can be medically necessary, but involve risks such as infection, blood clots, extended recovery, and issues in subsequent pregnancies. The surgery may also impact neonatal health, increasing the chances of a NICU stay due to respiratory issues. Not to mention, c-section births also cost a lot more than vaginal delivery. Even higher is the rate of c-section among all live births in the U.S., standing at 32.3 percent in 2023 (which includes mothers of higher risks such as giving birth to multiples or having hypertension or diabetes).

According to a U.S. hospital survey, only four in ten U.S. hospitals are meeting the national target for cesarean sections (c-sections) in 2024. However, in 2020, half of hospitals surveyed were meeting the national standard, the highest in the recorded time period. The current target for c-section births at U.S. hospitals of low-risk, first-time mothers is 23.6 percent. This is the Healthy People 2030 target of 23.6 percent for nulliparous, term, singleton, vertex (NTSV) cesarean birth rate, a standardized measure for ease of comparison between hospitals*. However, the actual average rate of NTSV c-section is currently at 25.2 percent. Still higher is the rate of c-section among all live births in the U.S. at 32.1 percent in 2022 (which includes mothers of higher risks such as giving birth to multiples).

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.

This statistic depicts large U.S. hospitals with the lowest Cesarean section (C-section) rates among first-time, low-risk mothers in the U.S. as of 2017. According to the data, Crouse Hospital in Syracuse, New York, had a C-section rate for first time, low-risk deliveries of around ***** percent.

This statistic depicts large U.S. hospitals with the highest Cesarean section (C-section) rates among first-time, low-risk mothers in the U.S. as of 2017. According to the data, South Miami Hospital in Miami, Florida had a C-section rate for first-time, low-risk mothers of around ** percent. The targeted national average in the U.S. for such births is under ** percent.

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.

Among all U.S. states, Nebraska had the highest hospital-based Cesarean section delivery rate as of 2017, with ** 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.

This statistic depicts the percentage of hospitals in the United States that are meeting or exceeding the nationally acceptable rate for Cesarean sections (c-section) among first-time, low-risk mothers as of 2017. According to the data, just 44 percent of U.S. hospitals are meeting the national target for c-sections. The current target for C-section births at U.S. hospitals to low-risk, first-time mothers is 23.9 percent. However, the actual average rate in the U.S., according to most recent data, is currently at 25.8 percent.

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.

As of 2023, the rate of vaginal births after cesarean (VBAC) delivery in the U.S. was **** percent. That is, roughly one in seven women who had a previous c-section gave birth vaginally instead of having another c-section. While there are some risks, VBAC delivery is safe and recommended when certain factors are taken into consideration, such as the type of incision, number of c-sections, time between births etc. The rate of VBAC has increased over the observed period, showing that more women are educated about the advantages of VBAC. Despite this, not all U.S. hospitals allow a VBAC attempt.

In 2023, the national median allowed value for c-section was ****** U.S. dollars. That is the median c-section cost for people with insurance using an in-network service*. This includes both the out-of-pocket amount and the amount paid by insurance. In that year, New Jersey had the highest cost for c-sections, with a median allowed value of about **** thousand U.S. dollars per birth. On the other hand, for people without insurance or using out-of-network services, the cost of a c-section birth more than doubles in the majority of the states.

In 2023, there were ******* births in New York, of which a third were delivered by cesarean section. Furthermore, in this U.S. state, almost one out of ten babies were delivered preterm in 2023. This statistic shows the percentage of preterm birth and cesarean delivery in New York in 2023.

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.