Preterm birth in Canada
Canada: Preterm birth was 29,384 in 2020. ▬ Flat
Latest (2020)
29,384
Change on year
up 2.1%
World rank
40th
of 102 countries
All-time high
29,660
in 2014
All-time low
28,766
in 2019
Years of data
11
2010–2020
Preterm birth in Canada, 2010–2020
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for preterm birth in Canada is 29,384, measured in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.1% on the previous year and up 1.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, preterm birth in Canada peaked at 29,660 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 28,766, in 2019.
Canada ranks 40th of 102 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Preterm birth in Canada, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 28,976 | — |
| 2011 | 29,133 | +0.5% |
| 2012 | 29,515 | +1.3% |
| 2013 | 29,410 | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 29,660 | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 29,147 | -1.7% |
| 2016 | 29,071 | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 29,461 | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 29,159 | -1.0% |
| 2019 | 28,766 | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 29,384 | +2.1% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 29,384 is above the median for high income countries, which is 6,023, 4.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 29,230 | 28,766 | 29,660 | 10 |
| 2020s | 29,384 | 29,384 | 29,384 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More health data for Canada
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.79 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.3588 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,083 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 385 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.5214 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.023 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.5024 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is preterm birth in Canada?
- Preterm birth in Canada was 29,384 in 2020, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest preterm birth recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 29,660 in 2014.
- What is the lowest preterm birth recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,766 in 2019.
- How does Canada rank for preterm birth?
- Canada ranks 40th out of 102 countries with data for 2020.
- Is preterm birth rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Preterm birth (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 11 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO).