Preterm birth: The global crisis statistics

The first month of life is the most vulnerable period for child survival, with 2.4 million newborns dying in 2020.

Globally, an estimated 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020 (before 37 completed weeks of gestation). That is more than 1 in 10 babies.

Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, responsible for approximately 900,000 deaths in 2019.

Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.