Perinatal mortality continued to rise in France in 2024, reaching 11,2 deaths per 1,000 births, according to a study by the Directorate for Research, Studies, Evaluation and Statistics. Of the 661,822 births registered last year, 7,398 infants were stillborn or died during their first week of life, a level not seen in over a decade.
The data shows that prematurity remains the leading risk factor, accounting for 84% of perinatal deaths. Multiple pregnancies and maternal age also influence these results, with higher rates among women under 20 and those aged 40 and over.
Significant disparities exist between regions.
The study's authors believe, however, that these factors only partially explain the decline observed since 2014. Social and territorial inequalities also play a significant role. The most disadvantaged municipalities have a perinatal mortality rate of 12 per 1,000 births, compared to 9,5 per 1,000 in the most advantaged areas.
The disparities are even more pronounced between regions. Guadeloupe has a rate of 21 deaths per 1,000 births, more than double that observed in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (9,3 per 1,000). Overall, the overseas territories have a perinatal mortality rate approximately 60% higher than that of metropolitan France, while France now ranks among the lowest-performing countries in the European Union on this indicator.
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