Perinatal statistics – parturients, delivers and newborns 2023

More than one fifth of births result in caesarean section

In 2023, 43,705 children were born in Finland, which is 3% less than in 2022. The number of children born decreased continuously from 2011 until 2019. After a slight increase in birth rate in 2020–2021, the decline has continued since 2022.

The mean age of parturients has been rising gradually. In 2023, the mean age of all parturients was 31.8 years and the average age of primiparas was 30.2 years.

The share of caesarean sections was 20.1% of all deliveries in 2023. The share is greater than ever before. Ten years ago, the share was 16.4%. In 2023, a caesarean section was performed on 24.7% of primiparas and 16.6% of parturients with prior deliveries. Primiparas aged 35 or over had 14 percentage points more caesarean sections than younger primiparas.

36.2% of labours in 2023 were induced. The share of induced labours is also greater than ever before. Inducing labour is more common among primiparas and those aged 40 or over.
The proportion of people who smoked during pregnancy has decreased in recent years. In 2023, 7.1% of parturients smoked during early pregnancy. Of all parturients who smoked during pregnancy, 57.0% quit smoking during the first trimester, compared with 43.8% over the past ten years.

In 2023, the average pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of parturients was over 25 (26.0) for the sixth consecutive year. Of all parturients, 27.7% were overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9) and 20.2% were obese (BMI ≥ 30).

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Caesarean sections, primiparas and parturients with prior deliveries, parturients aged under 35 and parturients aged 35 and over, 2003–2023 %

Tables

Background information

Description of statistics

The statistics contain data on parturients, deliveries and newborns. The key indicators are number of parturients, their age, body mass index and mode of delivery. The statistics also include information on major birth procedures and newborns birthweight, as well as perinatal mortality.

The data on all births has been collected from 1987 onwards. Statistical information is presented as numbers and percentages at the level of the entire country and welfare service counties. In addition, the total numbers of births are presented by hospital.

The statistics are published annually in the autumn.

Source

Perinataalitilasto – synnyttäjät, synnytykset ja vastasyntyneet 2023
Perinatalstatistik – föderskor, förlossningar och nyfödda 2023
Perinatal statistics – parturients, deliveries and newborns 2023

Statistical Report 50/2023, 5.11.2024.
Official Statistics of Finland, Perinatal statistics. THL. OSF-logo