Mbalo Brief – April 2025

In South Africa, many newborns die, with thousands failing to breathe at all and many others dying within days of birth, showing a significant public health concern. The latest report from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), Perinatal Deaths in South Africa, 2016–2020, published on 31 March 2025 highlights that stillbirths have more than doubled since 1997, reaching 15 908 in 2020. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), perinatal mortality refers to stillbirths and deaths within
the first week of life per 1 000 total live births. It includes stillbirths (intrauterine foetal deaths) when a baby dies while in the womb before or during delivery, and early neonatal deaths which occur within the first seven days of life.

Download Mbalo brief – April 2025