Number of stillbirths in Germany
Number of stillbirths in Germany stood at 2,857 Count in 2025, according to Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis). It is one of the indicators in the Vital statistics table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1946 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Vital statistics table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counts | |||||||||||
| Stillbirths | 2,857 | 2,900 | 3,007 | 3,247 | 3,420 | 3,162 | 3,180 | 3,030 | 3,003 | 2,914 | |
| Deaths | 1,006,588 | 1,007,758 | 1,028,206 | 1,066,341 | 1,023,687 | 985,572 | 939,520 | 954,874 | 932,272 | 910,902 |
Understanding number of stillbirths in Germany
Documenting fetal mortality, this metric captures the aggregate number of infants born without signs of life who meet specific medical criteria for birth weight or gestational age. It stands completely apart from the live births series and is excluded from calculations of natural population change. The boundary between a stillbirth and a miscarriage is defined by precise national medical guidelines, which occasionally undergo legislative updates. Consequently, this aggregate acts as a critical gauge for maternal health, prenatal care quality, and broader obstetrical outcomes without overlapping with infant mortality metrics.
Reviewing this series requires awareness of potential methodological breaks, as shifts in the legally mandated weight threshold for reporting can artificially alter the total count overnight. For genuine trend analysis, researchers should examine extended multi-year periods, as year-on-year variances in such a rare event can generate misleading percentage swings. Comparing this absolute figure directly to live birth totals can be informative, though it is usually more rigorous to evaluate it as a proportion of all pregnancies. Preliminary annual releases are subject to revision as delayed hospital and coroner reports are fully processed.
Frequently asked questions
- How is a stillbirth distinguished from a miscarriage?
- The distinction relies on specific statutory thresholds regarding the fetus's birth weight and gestational development.
- Are stillbirths counted in total deaths?
- No, they are tracked independently and completely excluded from standard general mortality statistics.
- Does this series affect natural population change figures?
- Since stillbirths are neither live births nor standard deaths, they do not enter the population balance arithmetic.