Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality in Australia

Australia: Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality was 4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births
Change on year
up 4.3%
World rank
21st
of 33 countries
All-time high
21.7 Deaths per 1 000 births
in 1973
All-time low
4 Deaths per 1 000 births
in 2008
Years of data
51
1973–2023

Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality in Australia, 1973–2023

5101520197319982023

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Deaths per 1 000 births.

Analysis

Australia recorded 4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births for maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality in 2023.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.3% on the previous year and unchanged over ten years.

Over the whole period, maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality in Australia peaked at 21.7 Deaths per 1 000 births in 1973 and was at its lowest, 4 Deaths per 1 000 births, in 2008.

Australia ranks 21st of 33 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 16.79 Deaths per 1 000 births 9.7 Deaths per 1 000 births 21.7 Deaths per 1 000 births 7
1980s 7.24 Deaths per 1 000 births 5.9 Deaths per 1 000 births 8.9 Deaths per 1 000 births 10
1990s 5.15 Deaths per 1 000 births 4.2 Deaths per 1 000 births 6.3 Deaths per 1 000 births 10
2000s 5.33 Deaths per 1 000 births 4 Deaths per 1 000 births 6.3 Deaths per 1 000 births 10
2010s 4.59 Deaths per 1 000 births 4.2 Deaths per 1 000 births 4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births 10
2020s 4.67 Deaths per 1 000 births 4.5 Deaths per 1 000 births 4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births 4

Countries ranked near Australia

  1. 18 Ireland 5.5 Deaths per 1 000 births compare
  2. 18 Romania 5.5 Deaths per 1 000 births compare
  3. 20 United States 5.4 Deaths per 1 000 births compare
  4. 22 Greece 4.7 Deaths per 1 000 births compare
  5. 23 Israel 4.3 Deaths per 1 000 births compare
  6. 24 Sweden 4.2 Deaths per 1 000 births compare

See the full ranking of 43 places →

More health data for Australia

All data for Australia →

Frequently asked questions

What is maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality in Australia?
Maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality in Australia was 4.9 Deaths per 1 000 births in 2023, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality recorded in Australia?
The highest recorded value was 21.7 Deaths per 1 000 births in 1973.
What is the lowest maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality recorded in Australia?
The lowest recorded value was 4 Deaths per 1 000 births in 2008.
How does Australia rank for maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality?
Australia ranks 21st out of 33 countries with data for 2023.
Is maternal and infant mortality — perinatal mortality rising or falling in Australia?
Over the last ten years it is unchanged. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Australia data come from?
The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality in Australia. Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 20 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/maternal-and-infant-mortality-perinatal-mortality/australia/

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About this data

Indicator
Maternal and infant mortality — Perinatal mortality
Unit
Deaths per 1 000 births
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
43 places, 2,306 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

This dataset presents time series on infant, neonatal, perinatal and maternal mortality. Data for infant and neonatal mortality are presented either with no minimum threshold of gestation period or birthweight, or following the minimum threshold of 22 weeks (or 500 grams birthweight) Please refer to the Sources and Methods for detailed country-specific information.