Key Takeaways
- 7,000 stillbirths occur each day worldwide
- In England, perinatal mortality rate including stillbirth and early neonatal deaths was 4.9 per 1,000 total births in 2022 (NHS Digital statistical summary)
- Maternal malaria is associated with increased stillbirth risk; a meta-analysis reports about 2.0x higher risk in women with malaria
- HIV infection in pregnancy is associated with increased stillbirth risk; a cohort/meta-analysis reports approximately 1.5x higher risk
- Maternal age 35 years or older is associated with increased risk of stillbirth (U.S. data show higher stillbirth rates for women aged 35+)
- The risk of stillbirth increases with pre-pregnancy obesity: 1.4x higher risk for class I and 2.1x higher risk for class III obesity (meta-analysis estimate)
- Diabetes in pregnancy is associated with a 3.0x increased risk of stillbirth (systematic review estimate)
- Antenatal care reduces stillbirth risk: women with adequate ANC have ~20% lower risk compared with inadequate ANC (systematic review estimate)
- A 4-visit ANC model (focused ANC) is associated with a reduction in perinatal mortality including stillbirth by about 1/3 in some studies (WHO-focused ANC evidence synthesis)
- Skilled birth attendance is estimated to reduce perinatal mortality by about 24% (systematic review evidence)
- In England, stillbirth rates are higher for mothers in the most deprived areas: 5.2 per 1,000 total births versus 4.1 in the least deprived (MBRRACE-UK report)
- In Sweden, socioeconomic gradient exists in stillbirth rates; estimates show higher rates among mothers with lower education by about 1.3x (Swedish register study)
- Rural residency increases stillbirth risk: rural women have about 1.2–1.4x higher risk than urban women in LMIC multi-country analyses (systematic review estimate)
- Vital registration coverage in many LMICs is below 50%, leading to under-ascertainment of stillbirths (World Bank CRVS indicator)
- Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) systems: only 41% of births are registered in lower-income countries (World Bank/UN data)
About 7,000 babies are stillborn daily worldwide, yet stronger antenatal and skilled care can help reduce risk.
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How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Karl Becker. (2026, February 13). Stillbirth Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/stillbirth-statistics
Karl Becker. "Stillbirth Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/stillbirth-statistics.
Karl Becker. 2026. "Stillbirth Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/stillbirth-statistics.
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