The results of the statistical release show that there were fluctuations in perinatal deaths between 1997 and2020. Information on age differentials shows that early neonatal deaths decreased with increasing age (more deaths at day 0 compared with fewer deaths at day 7).

The sex differential indicates that male stillbirths increased from 3 207 deaths in 1997 to 8 374 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 8 592 deaths in 2009), while female stillbirths increased from 2 674 deaths in 1997 to 6 862 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 6 910 deaths in 2004). Male early neonatal deaths increased from 3 797 deaths in 1997 to 4 533 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 6 287 deaths in 2009), while female early neonatal deaths increased from 3 173 deaths in 1997 to 3 479 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 4 561 deaths in 2009).

Male perinatal deaths increased from 7 004 deaths in 1997 to 12 907 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 14 111 deaths in 2009) while female perinatal deaths increased from 5 847 deaths in 1997 to 10 341 deaths in 2020 (peaking at 10 869 deaths in 2008). The highest year-on-year percentage change was observed between 1997 and 1998 (19,8%) and 1998 and 1999 at 19,1%. The highest sex ratio at death was observed in 2006 with 135male deaths per 100 female deaths.

 Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest percentages of perinatal deaths (above 20%) for all the reporting years. Although Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal had been contributing more towards perinatal deaths in the country, Free State, Northern Cape and North West had the highest perinatal deaths per 100 000 women aged 15–49 years. Lower rates were observed in Eastern Cape with values lower than 80 perinatal deaths per 100 000 women aged 15–49 years.

Above 99% of all the early deaths for the period between 2016 and 2020 were due to natural causes and less than 1% due to non-natural causes of death. About 70% of perinatal deaths occurred in hospitals, and around 4% in homes.

The underlying cause of death of stillbirths was foetal death of unspecified cause (P95), while the underlying cause of early neonatal deaths for all the reporting years was respiratory and cardiovascular disorders specific to the perinatal period (P20-P29). The main group of underlying cause for all perinatal deaths was certain conditions originating in the perinatal period (P00-P96).