Overview

• In 2023, 32.6% of all births in Germany were cesarean deliveries, the highest rate recorded, with 218,000 operations performed.
• The cesarean rate has nearly doubled since 1993, when it stood at 16.9%, reflecting a long-term upward trend.
• Regional differences are pronounced, with the highest rate in Saarland (36.4%) and the lowest in Saxony (25.6%).
• The number of hospitals offering obstetric care has declined sharply, from 49.4% in 1993 to 31.4% in 2023.
• Germany ranks in the upper middle among OECD countries for cesarean rates, with Turkey leading at 60 per 100 live births.