International comparison of caesarean birth rates, 2020 – 2025
This study describes caesarean birth rates in England in comparison to other countries, updating the evidence using published data sources and input from regional experts. An initial summary report (link) provides a broader context for the recent observed temporal trends in England, highlighting a marked increase in caesarean births since 2019 that is not reflected in other countries. The research seeks to understand the drivers of these trends, by drawing on evidence on the changing health of the nation and the wider context of maternity care in England. Our next steps will be to examine the evidence to understand the potential reasons for the trend, and the consequences of the changing nature of birth.
Study Team: Julie Ambia, Fiona Alderdice, Marian Knight, Rachel Rowe, Julia Sanders, Claire Carson (Principal Investigator).
