30 Preterm Birth Statistics and Facts: 2025 Data

Hearing that your baby might arrive early is scary, but you aren’t alone. A preterm birth occurs when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Doctors further categorize these births into degrees based on gestational age, ranging from late preterm to extremely preterm.

Premature delivery comes with specific health and developmental risks. To help you understand the landscape, we compiled an educational list of essential preterm birth statistics and facts.

We broke down the numbers on U.S. and global birth rates, common causes of premature labor, and the potential health consequences for early arrivals. Here is what you need to know.

Defining Premature Birth

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a preterm birth as the delivery of a baby before 37 weeks gestation ⁽¹⁾. The World Health Organization (WHO) groups these births into three distinct categories based on how early the baby arrives:

• Extremely preterm: Born before 28 weeks.
• Very preterm: Born between 28 and 32 weeks.
• Moderate to late preterm: Born between 32 and 37 weeks.

These births happen via spontaneous labor or medical intervention, such as a scheduled induction or C-section due to complications.

Babies develop rapidly right up until the due date. The brain, lungs, and liver need those final weeks to fully mature. Babies born prematurely, particularly before 32 weeks, often require a stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to manage health complications.

In 2021, the death rate for preterm babies and those with low birth weight in the U.S. was 14.8 per 100 babies, highlighting the need for specialized care.

30 Facts and Statistics About Preterm Births

Whether you are researching for awareness or have been personally affected by an early arrival, these statistics paint a clearer picture of the landscape. These facts are sourced from official government research and medical studies to ensure accuracy.

U.S. Preterm Birth Rates

Let’s look at how often early labor happens in the United States and which demographics are most affected.

1. 10 percent of infants arrive early: In 2022, roughly one in 10 infants was born preterm. This totaled 383,979 births across the country.
2. Rates fluctuate yearly: The preterm birth rate in 2022 was 10.4 percent, which was a slight one percent drop from the previous year. However, rates had previously spiked by four percent between 2020 and 2021.
3. Pandemic impact: The COVID-19 pandemic intensified birth complications ⁽²⁾. During the height of the pandemic, the U.S. was flagged as one of the more dangerous developed countries for giving birth due to rising preterm numbers.
4. Disparities for Black women: Systemic health disparities persist. Black women have a 50 percent higher chance of experiencing a preterm birth compared to other demographics. In 2022, the rate was 14.6 percent for Black women, compared to 9.4 percent for white women.
5. Weekly volume: Approximately 70,000 babies are born preterm every week in the U.S. ⁽³⁾.
6. High-risk states: Geography influences outcomes. Twenty-three states, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Nevada, report preterm birth rates higher than the national average of 10.4 percent.
7. Low-risk states: Some states have successfully met the “Healthy People 2030” goal of 9.4 percent or lower. These include Oregon, California, Vermont, and New Jersey.

Global Premature Birth Rates

The U.S. isn’t the only country managing early births. Here is how the numbers compare globally.

1. Canadian statistics: In Canada, approximately eight percent of babies arrive preterm annually ⁽⁴⁾. This equals roughly 25,000 infants. Rates there increased by 20 percent between 1992 and 2021.
2. Millions born early worldwide: Globally, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born prematurely in 2020. Depending on the region, national rates range from four percent to 16 percent.
3. Leading cause of mortality: Complications arising from preterm birth are currently the leading cause of death for children under five years old worldwide.
4. United Kingdom numbers: England and Wales reported a preterm birth rate of 7.6 percent in 2021, a slight rise from the previous year ⁽⁵⁾.
5. Rates in Mexico: Mexico maintains a preterm birth rate of approximately 7 percent ⁽⁶⁾.
6. Rates in Nigeria: The preterm delivery rate in Nigeria is tracked at 9.9 percent ⁽⁷⁾.
7. Nordic countries fare better: Nordic regions often report lower numbers. In 2021, Sweden’s rate was 5.5 percent, while Denmark’s was 6.2 percent ⁽⁸⁾.
8. High volume in India: India recorded a 13 percent preterm birth rate in 2020 ⁽⁹⁾. This amounts to over three million babies, accounting for 20 percent of all global preterm births.
9. Regional concentrations: A 2014 study showed that 81.1 percent of all preterm births occurred in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa ⁽¹⁰⁾. Five countries (India, China, Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Indonesia) accounted for nearly half of the global total.

Common Risk Factors

Preterm labor can happen spontaneously to anyone, but certain factors increase the likelihood of delivering before 37 weeks.

1. Previous early delivery: A history of preterm birth is one of the strongest predictors. If you have delivered early before, your risk increases for future pregnancies ⁽¹¹⁾.
2. Multiples increase risk: Carrying twins, triplets, or more puts significant strain on the uterus. More than 50 percent of twins are born premature, compared to just 10 percent of singletons.
3. Weight extremes: Maternal weight plays a role. Being significantly underweight or overweight (including having an eating disorder) prior to pregnancy can trigger early labor ⁽¹²⁾.
4. Maternal age: Teens under 17 and women over 35 are statistically more likely to deliver preterm ⁽¹³⁾. Teens often face higher blood pressure risks, while older mothers may manage pre-existing health conditions.
5. Cervical issues: A short cervix can lead to early delivery ⁽¹⁴⁾. If the cervix shortens or opens too soon (cervical insufficiency), medical intervention like a cerclage may be required to reinforce it.
6. Short interval between pregnancies: Getting pregnant again less than six months after a birth increases risk ⁽¹⁵⁾. Experts generally recommend waiting 18 to 24 months between pregnancies to allow the body to recover.
7. Existing health conditions: Chronic issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, blood clotting disorders, or infections (like UTIs and STIs) can precipitate early labor.
8. Demographic factors: Race and ethnicity impact risk profiles ⁽¹⁶⁾. American Indian/Alaska Native women have an 11.8 percent preterm rate, while Asian/Pacific Islander women have the lowest rate at roughly nine percent.

Health Consequences for the Baby

Families facing a preterm birth often worry about long-term effects. While many preemies grow up healthy, being born early carries specific risks you should know about.

1. Neurological development: Early birth interrupts brain development. This can lead to challenges with communication, learning, and motor skills later in life ⁽¹⁷⁾.
2. Cerebral palsy risk: Prematurity is a known risk factor for cerebral palsy. This condition affects muscle tone, movement, and posture.
3. Respiratory distress: Lungs are among the last organs to mature. Preemies often suffer from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) or apnea (pauses in breathing) and may require oxygen support or ventilators in the NICU ⁽¹⁸⁾.
4. Cardiovascular issues: Common heart problems include low blood pressure and Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA), a persistent opening between two major blood vessels leading from the heart.
5. Increased SIDS risk: Preterm infants face a higher danger of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Studies indicate they are two to three times more likely to die of SIDS than full-term babies ⁽¹⁹⁾.
6. Long-term mortality rates: Research suggests that adults born prematurely may have higher mortality rates between ages 18 and 36 compared to those born full-term, often due to chronic health complications ⁽²⁰⁾.
7. Kidney function: Babies born before 28 weeks often have immature kidneys ⁽²¹⁾. They may struggle to filter waste or balance fluids, requiring careful monitoring of salt and fluid intake.

Methods for Preventing Preterm Birth

While some factors are genetic or spontaneous, you can take steps to lower your risks. Here are actionable ways to support a full-term pregnancy:

• Time your pregnancies: Attempt to leave at least 18 months between giving birth and conceiving again.
• Prioritize prenatal care: See your doctor early and attend all scheduled check-ups to monitor fetal development.
• Quit smoking: Smoking restricts oxygen to the baby and is a major cause of low birth weight and early delivery.
• Avoid substances: Eliminate alcohol and recreational drugs entirely during pregnancy.
• Monitor weight gain: track your weight to ensure it stays within the healthy range recommended by your OB-GYN.
• Reduce stress: High levels of chronic stress can trigger labor hormones. Practice relaxation techniques.
• Stay hydrated: Drink about 64 ounces of water daily. Dehydration can lead to uterine contractions or UTIs.
• Manage chronic conditions: Keep blood pressure and diabetes under tight control with medical supervision.
• Supplement wisely: Take prenatal vitamins with at least 400 mcg of folic acid daily to support spinal and brain development.
• Hygiene matters: Wash hands frequently to avoid viral and bacterial infections that could stress the body.

FAQs

What Are the Warning Signs of Premature Labor?

If you notice any of these symptoms before 37 weeks, contact your provider immediately.

• Contractions: Six or more contractions in one hour.
• Cramping: Menstrual-like cramps in the lower abdomen.
• Back pain: Dull, constant aches in the lower back.
• Discharge changes: A sudden increase in fluid, mucus, or bloody show.
• Pelvic pressure: A sensation that the baby is pushing down.
• Fluid leak: Water breaking or a trickle of fluid.

Do Premature Babies Have Problems Later in Life?

Long-term effects vary by child. While many catch up to their peers, some may face challenges such as cerebral palsy, vision or hearing impairments, and learning difficulties like ADHD. Chronic health issues, including asthma, can also persist into adulthood.

When Is a Pregnancy Considered Viable?

Viability is the point at which a fetus can potentially survive outside the womb. This is generally considered to be 24 weeks gestation ⁽²²⁾. Survival rates increase dramatically with each passing week: 60-70 percent at 24 weeks, rising to over 95 percent by 32 weeks.

What Is Corrected Age for Preemies?

Corrected age is your baby’s chronological age minus the number of weeks they were born early. For example, if your 6-month-old was born 2 months early, their corrected age is 4 months. Doctors use this to track developmental milestones more accurately during the first two years of life.