New figures reveal 'shocking' disparities in neonatal death rates despite an overall fall across the UK

A report today from MBRRACE-UK shows stillbirths and neonatal deaths are falling across the UK – but gaps are growing between different groups.

Overall, the stillbirth rate decreased from 3.35 per 1,000 births in 2022 to 3.22 per 1,000 births in 2023.  

The neonatal mortality rate – which includes all babies who are born alive but sadly die within 4 weeks - decreased from 1.69 per 1,000 to 1.63 per 1,000.

However, neonatal death rates among babies in the most deprived areas of the UK rose for the third year in a row, from 2.07 per 1,000 in 2019 to 2.5 in 2023.

In the same period, neonatal death rates among babies in the least deprived areas of the UK fell from 1.2 per 1,000 to 1.03 per 1,000.

There are also significant differences in stillbirth and neonatal death rates between ethnic groups.

The stillbirth rate for babies of Asian ethnicity increased by 10% between 2022 and 2023. Although the stillbirth rate went down for Black babies, they are still more than twice as likely to be stillborn as White babies.

Kath Abrahams, Chief Executive of Tommy’s, said:

“It is positive that stillbirth and neonatal death rates are falling overall but no-one can gloss over the shocking disparities revealed today by MBRRACE-UK.

“A baby’s ethnicity or family circumstances should never affect their chances of surviving birth or their first few days of life.

“Behind every one of these statistics lies a traumatic bereavement and a lifetime of grief.

“We are doing all we can at Tommy’s to make pregnancy and birth safe for everyone, through our research and our specialist support services, but we cannot do this alone.

“Ending these inequities must be a priority across government and health services.”

Robert Wilson, Head of the Sands and Tommy’s Joint Policy Unit, said:

“Today’s report from MBRRACE-UK shows the gap continues to grow between neonatal death rates in the most deprived areas and those in the least deprived areas of the UK. Put starkly, newborn babies are dying because of poverty and deprivation.  

“The stillbirth rate among babies of Asian ethnicity has risen sharply, and Black babies are still twice as likely as White babies to be stillborn.  

“The Government must take urgent and targeted action to reduce health inequalities at local and national level, to save babies’ lives.  

“The overall decrease reported by MBRRACE-UK in both stillbirths and neonatal deaths is welcome – but no family should be left behind because of where they live or the colour of their skin.”

If you're worried about any aspect of pregnancy or birth, or you have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss, you can contact Tommy's free midwife support service on 0800 147 800 or email [email protected].

We also run a specialist helpline supporting Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women and birthing people. You can reach the specialist helpline here.