Data shows UK stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates falling since 2013
The latest MBBRACE-UK Perinatal Mortality Surveillance report (published Thursday 11 June 2026) provides important analysis on the rates, and reasons influencing, baby deaths before, during and shortly after birth. 2024 data show ongoing progress, including:
- Stillbirth and neonatal mortality rates dropped between 2023 and 2024 across the UK.
- Stillbirth rates fell among babies born to mothers in the most deprived areas (4.16 per 1,000 births in 2024).
- Stillbirth rates continued to fall across almost all ethnicities, reflecting longer‑term improvements since 2020. However, babies of Black and Asian ethnicity remain at greater risk than white babies
- Neonatal mortality rates in the most deprived group reduced by 14 per cent (to 2.14 per 1,000 babies), with the gap between most and least deprived areas narrowing.
- A third of stillbirths are caused by placental problems (34%) but, for another third of babies the cause of stillbirth remains unknown (36%).
Dr Alison Wright, President of the RCOG, said:
“Any reduction in stillbirths and neonatal deaths matters. It means fewer babies have died, and fewer families have experienced the trauma and grief of baby loss. It also reflects the sustained efforts of maternity and neonatal staff, researchers, charities and families to improve care.
“We acknowledge these figures will be painful for parents and families whose babies have died. For them, progress does not lessen that loss.
“Whilst this steady progress is welcomed, we cannot accept the inequalities linked to deprivation and ethnicity, that mean some still face significantly higher risks of stillbirth and neonatal death than others. We must go further and faster to protect babies from avoidable harm.
“We will do this by listening to women, parents and families, and continuing to push for maternity and neonatal services to have safe staffing levels and strengthening research to better understand the causes of baby loss.
“The College wants to see the government setting out ambitious, fully-funded plans to drive equitable outcomes and safe, personalised and compassionate maternity care for all.”