Stillbirths and neonatal deaths dashboard

This dashboard presents select data on stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Australia and provides an overview of perinatal mortality over time, including rates for various characteristics. The data are sourced from the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC) and the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC), and include the first release of 2023 NPMDC data (the most recent year available).

More information about stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Australia can be found at the links below, including:
• discussion of potential factors in the increasing stillbirth rates in recent years
• links to more detailed findings from the 2021 and 2022 NPMDC releases
• supplementary data tables, including the data in a machine-readable format for the first time.

Dashboard view: Stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Australia

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Perinatal death rate

The rate of perinatal death increased from 10.3 per 1,000 births in 2022 to 11.1 per 1,000 births in 2023 – the highest in the 20-year period from 2004
Notes:
1. Perinatal deaths (stillbirths and neonatal deaths) data prior to 2013 are sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). From 2013 onwards, data are sourced from the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC).
2. Data from Victoria in 2009 are not available so Victoria have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator for that year.
3. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
4. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
5. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
6. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
7. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) definition

Using the WHO definition, the rate of perinatal death has decreased since 2004, from 6.3 per 1,000 births to 5.4 per 1,000 births in 2023
Notes:
1. For purposes of international comparison, the World Health Organization (WHO) defines perinatal deaths as all stillbirths occurring in the third trimester (from 28 weeks’ gestation, and/or weighing 1,000 grams or more) and all neonatal deaths occurring within 28 days following a live birth.
2. Perinatal deaths data prior to 2013 are sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). From 2013 onwards, data are sourced from the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC).
3. Data from Victoria in 2009 are not available so Victoria have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator for that year.
4. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
5. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
6. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
7. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
8. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Adjusted and unadjusted perinatal death rate

The adjusted perinatal death rate was relatively stable from 2019 to 2023, ranging from 6.1 to 6.4 deaths per 1,000 births. The unadjusted rate generally increased over this period, from 9.8 to 11.5
Notes:
1. 'Adjusted' perinatal deaths exclude terminations of pregnancy.
2. Terminations of pregnancy include terminations for maternal medical conditions, fetal congenital anomalies and maternal psychosocial reasons.
3. Data on terminations of pregnancy are subject to differences in definitions across jurisdictions. Jurisdictions also have different laws on terminations of pregnancy.
4. Termination of pregnancy data are not available for WA or Tasmania and these states have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator.
5. These data also exclude records where the termination of pregnancy flag was 'not stated'.
6. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
7. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
8. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
9. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
10. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.

Perinatal death rate by gestational age at birth - trimester

The rate of perinatal death for babies born in the second trimester has increased over the past two decades, and remains consistently higher than the rate for babies born in the third trimester
Notes:
1. While the second trimester is defined clinically as 14–27 weeks' gestation, the scope of the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC) is limited to deaths occurring from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight.
2. Excludes records where gestational age was 'not stated'.
3. Perinatal deaths (stillbirths and neonatal deaths) data prior to 2013 are sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). From 2013 onwards, data are sourced from the NPMDC.
4. Data from Victoria in 2009 are not available so Victoria have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator for that year.
5. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
6. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
7. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
8. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
9. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate by gestational age at birth - clinical groups

Over the 20-year period from 2004, the rate of perinatal death has been consistently higher for babies born at earlier gestations; the rate of perinatal death decreases with increasing gestational age
Notes:
1. Clinical groups refers to intervals of gestational ages identified as being of clinical significance by members of the National Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Expert Group (NMPMCEG).
2. 20-22 weeks may include a small number of births of less than 20 weeks' gestation where birthweight was 400 grams or more.
3. Excludes records where gestational age is not stated.
4. Perinatal deaths (stillbirths and neonatal deaths) data prior to 2013 are sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). From 2013 onwards, data are sourced from the NPMDC.
5. Data from Victoria in 2009 are not available so Victoria have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator for that year.
6. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
7. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
8. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
9. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
10. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.

Perinatal death rate by state or territory of birth

There continues to be wide variations in the rate of perinatal death across Australia, with rates by state and territory of birth ranging from 8.8 to 18.5 deaths per 1,000 births in 2023
Notes:
1. Perinatal deaths data for states and territories reported by the AIHW may differ from data reported elsewhere, including by the ABS and state and territory health authorities, due to differences in collection scopes. See ‘Technical notes, Data Source: National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection’ for more details.
2. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
3. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
4. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
5. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
6. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate by state or territory of mother's usual residence

There continues to be wide variations in the perinatal death rate across Australia; rates by state and territory of mother’s usual residence ranged from 9.2 to 17.2 deaths per 1,000 births in 2023
Notes:
1. The ‘Non-Australian resident’ category comprises mothers whose usual residence is not in Australia. Data for this category are not available for 2017 due to quality issues.
2. Excludes mothers whose state or territory of usual residence was 'not stated'.
3. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
4. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
5. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
6. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
7. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.

Perinatal death rate by mother's age at birth

The perinatal death rate has increased for babies born to mothers aged 24 and under since 2021. It remains highest for mothers under 20, followed by mothers aged 20-24 for the first time since 2017
Notes:
1. Excludes mothers whose age was 'not stated'.
2. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
3. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
4. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
5. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
6. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate by remoteness area of mother's usual residence

The perinatal death rate has generally increased with increasing remoteness over the seven-year period from 2017, with the rate in Very remote areas just over double the rate in Major cities in 2023
Notes:
1. Remoteness assigned using the ABS Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) remoteness structure applied to Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) of mother’s area of usual residence.
2. Excludes mothers not usually resident in Australia and those whose state or territory of usual residence was ‘Not stated’.
3. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
4. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
5. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
6. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
7. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate by mother's Indigenous status

The perinatal death rate for First Nations mothers has fluctuated between 12.0 and 20.1 per 1,000 births over the period 2005 to 2023
Notes:
1. Excludes mothers whose Indigenous status was 'not stated'.
2. Perinatal deaths (stillbirths and neonatal deaths) data prior to 2013 are sourced from the National Perinatal Data Collection (NPDC). From 2013 onwards, data are sourced from the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC).
3. Data from Victoria in 2009 are not available so Victoria have been excluded from both the numerator and denominator for that year.
4. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
5. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
6. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
7. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
8. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Perinatal death rate by relative socio-economic disadvantage of mother's usual residence

The rate of perinatal death has been consistently higher in the most disadvantaged areas and consistently lower in the least disadvantaged areas of Australia over the seven years from 2017
Notes:
1. Socio-economic disadvantage assigned using the ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (SEIFA IRSD) applied to Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) of mother’s area of usual residence.
2. Excludes mothers not usually resident in Australia and those whose state or territory of usual residence was ‘Not stated’.
3. In 2022, NPDC data for births in the ACT are based on their 2022 data for January to October, supplemented by their 2021 data for November and December.
4. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
5. The rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 births (live births and stillbirths).
6. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
7. Deaths within the scope of the NPDC and NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.

Proportion of perinatal deaths by timing of death

The majority of perinatal deaths occurred before the onset of labour (antepartum) over 2017 to 2023. Data quality has improved with the proportion of ‘not stated’ records halving from 2017 to 2023
Notes:
1. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
2. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
3. Deaths within the scope of the NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Proportion of perinatal deaths by PSANZ-PDC

In 2023, congenital anomaly was the leading cause of perinatal death (28%). The leading cause of perinatal death has remained unchanged over the five-year period
Notes:
1. From 2019, the National Perinatal Mortality Data Collection (NPMDC) classifies causes of death according to the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) Perinatal Mortality Classification System, version 3.4.
2. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
3. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
4. Deaths within the scope of the NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.
Proportion of perinatal deaths by whether an autopsy was performed

The proportion of perinatal deaths that had an autopsy performed ranged between 33% and 39% over the five years from 2019
Notes:
1. Autopsy performed includes full and limited autopsies, external examinations and records where an autopsy was performed but type is unknown.
2. Data provision on perinatal deaths in South Australia from 2022 is improved compared with historical data. Care should be taken if comparing data across time and jurisdictions.
3. Historical data may not match previously published data due to resupplies and revision.
4. Deaths within the scope of the NPMDC (from 20 weeks' gestation or of at least 400 grams birthweight) include deaths following a termination of pregnancy.

Stillbirths and neonatal deaths dashboard

Perinatal death rates in Australia by selected definition

Perinatal death rate

Perinatal death rate, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) definition

Adjusted and unadjusted perinatal death rate

Gestational age

Perinatal death rate by gestational age at birth - trimester

Perinatal death rate by gestational age at birth - clinical groups

Geography

Perinatal death rate by state or territory of birth

Perinatal death rate by state or territory of mother's usual residence

Maternal characteristics

Perinatal death rate by mother's age at birth

Perinatal death rate by remoteness area of mother's usual residence

Perinatal death rate by mother's Indigenous status

Perinatal death rate by relative socio-economic disadvantage of mother's usual residence

Timing, causes and investigation

Proportion of perinatal deaths by timing of death

Proportion of perinatal deaths by PSANZ-PDC

Proportion of perinatal deaths by whether an autopsy was performed

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