Status: 02/15/2023 11:17 a.m
In Germany in 2021 almost every third child was born by caesarean section. The number is almost twice as high as it was 30 years ago. But fewer and fewer hospitals are offering obstetrics.
Around 230,000 women gave birth by caesarean section in 2021. The caesarean section rate was 30.9 percent, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. Compared to 2020 at 29.7 percent, it has increased slightly. Over the past 30 years, the proportion of cesarean births has doubled from 15.3 percent in 1991.
In addition to less frequently used methods of obstetrics, such as the suction cup or forceps, 62.5 percent of women gave birth naturally in the hospital in 2021.
Germany internationally in the top third
There are also major regional differences within Germany. In Saarland, the proportion of deliveries by caesarean section was highest at 36.4 percent. Hamburg follows closely behind (34.3 percent). In Saxony (26.1 percent) and Brandenburg (27.4 percent) the fewest women gave birth by caesarean section.
In Germany, fewer and fewer hospitals offer obstetrics at all. In 2021, only 32.4 percent of the approximately 1,800 clinics were still carrying out deliveries, compared to 49.2 percent of the approximately 2,400 hospitals in 1991.
In an international comparison, according to data from the OECD, Germany is in the top third for 26 countries in 2020 with around 30 caesarean sections per 100 live births. Turkey led the statistics with 57 Caesarean sections. Comparatively low numbers were found in Norway and Iceland (16) and Israel (15).