National Core Maternity Indicators

Caesarean section describes a method of birth in which the baby is removed directly from the uterus through an incision in the mother’s abdomen. This procedure is generally performed when vaginal birth is likely to pose a risk to the health of the mother or baby, or in scenarios such as stalled labour or unsuccessful vaginal birth. For more information, see Clinical commentary.

This indicator examines caesarean section for selected women giving birth for the first time.

The trend data presented include years for which the COVID-19 pandemic was considered a public health emergency (2020–2022). The pandemic coincided with changes in the birth rate and changes in the experience of pregnancy and childbirth for many women and their families, though due to the complex nature of the pandemic, its impacts on maternal and perinatal outcomes are still unclear. For more information on caesarean section births during the COVID-19 pandemic, see Method of birth in Maternal and perinatal outcomes during the 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 pandemic.

The interactive data visualisation (Figure 9) presents data on caesarean section for selected women giving birth for the first time. Use the drop-down menu to view data by selected characteristics and the latest year button to explore data for 2023.

Figure 9: Caesarean section

Clinical commentary

A caesarean section is an operation where a baby is born through an incision made through the mother’s abdomen and the uterus (RANZCOG 2021b). A caesarean section may be planned (elective), or unplanned (emergency) if complications develop and delivery needs to be hastened.

Caesarean section is one of the most common interventions in pregnancy and is safer now than in the past. However, it is associated with an extended recovery time for the mother, as well as a small risk of serious morbidity and mortality for both the mother and the baby, and the benefits need to be weighed against the risks (ACSQHC 2017; Betran et al. 2016; Keag et al. 2018; Villar et al. 2007). Risks to the mother include postoperative infection, haemorrhage, and complications during future pregnancies (ACSQHC 2017). Risks to the baby for planned caesarean section at less than 39 weeks gestation can include increased rates of neonatal respiratory issues and the need for intensive care at birth, as well as longer-term risks of developmental issues (ACSQHC 2017; ACSQHC 2021a). 

Caesarean section rates have increased steadily worldwide over the last decades (OECD 2019; WHO 2018), however, this trend has not been associated with significant maternal or perinatal benefits (WHO 2015). Caesarean section rates have increased across most OECD countries, from an average of 20% in 2000 to 28% in 2017. In 2023, 41% of all women giving birth in Australia had a caesarean section (AIHW 2025). The WHO states that at the population level, caesarean section rates higher than 10% are not associated with reductions in maternal and newborn mortality rates (WHO 2015). The WHO also states that caesarean sections are effective at saving lives when required for medically indicated reasons, and every effort should be made to provide caesarean sections to women in need, rather than striving to achieve a specific rate (WHO 2015). 

The increasing rates of caesarean sections may be influenced by a number of maternal and clinical factors and medico-legal concerns, however, the reasons for the steep rise remain unexplained. Besides this general increase in caesarean section, a large variation between countries, regions and hospitals has been documented (Betran et al. 2016; Bragg et al. 2010; Librero et al. 2000; OECD 2019).

Whether the operation is a planned elective procedure or an unplanned emergency procedure, receiving clear information on the benefits of the operation and the short and long-term risks is important to enable an informed decision as to whether to proceed with the caesarean section or not.

More information on caesarean section for all women giving birth can be found in Australia’s mothers and babies.

Indicator specifications and data

Excel source data tables are available from Data.

For more information, refer to Data specifications and Methods.