Perinatal mortality in France reached 11.2 deaths per 1,000 births in 2024, marking an increase from the 10.5 per 1,000 rate observed between 2014 and 2021. According to data released by the Drees (Direction de la recherche, des études, de l’évaluation et des statistiques), this figure accounts for 7,398 stillbirths or neonatal deaths within the first week of life out of 661,822 total births.
Why is perinatal mortality rising in France?
While the precise drivers of this upward trend remain under investigation, the Drees reports that known risk factors—such as maternal age, multiple pregnancies, and preterm births—only partially explain the increase since 2014.
Clinical data confirms that biological factors play a significant role in outcomes:
- Preterm birth: A high proportion of perinatal deaths involve deliveries before full term.
- Maternal age: The risk is higher for mothers under 20 (18.1 per 1,000) and for those aged 40 and older (17.6 per 1,000).
How do social and regional inequalities impact health outcomes?
Geography and socioeconomic status are strong predictors of perinatal survival in France. Drees statistics highlight a clear divide between the most and least advantaged populations.
- Socioeconomic disparity: In 2024, the mortality rate reached 12 per 1,000 in municipalities with the highest concentrations of residents in precarious situations, compared to 9.5 per 1,000 in more affluent areas.
- Regional variance: Significant gaps exist between mainland France and the overseas territories. Guadeloupe reported a rate of 21 per 1,000, which is 2.3 times higher than the rate in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (9.3 per 1,000).
Overall, the Drees found that overseas departments and regions recorded a mortality rate higher than the average for mainland France.
How does France compare to the rest of the European Union?
France’s current standing represents a shift in its historical health performance. Throughout the 1990s, France maintained a reputation for high-quality perin