2-7

2-7. Caesarean births

In 2017, over a third (34.8%) of all births in South Australia were by caesarean section.¹
This is slightly higher than the national average of 34.6%.¹
Over the last decade, the proportion of women who gave birth via caesarean procedure has increased, both in this state (up from 32.3% in 2007) and Australia-wide (up from 30.9% in 2007).¹
South Australia ranks second highest for proportion of births by caesarean procedure of the states and territories.¹

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Data source: AIHW 2019

**Births by caesarean section, 2017**
State/Territory	%
Northern Territory	31.5%
Tasmania	33.3%
Australian Capital Territory	33.6%
New South Wales	33.7%
Queensland	34.4%
Victoria	34.7%
South Australia	34.8%
Western Australia	37.8%
Australia	34.6%

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Data source: AIHW 2019

In 2017, just over a third (32.7%) of women who identified as Aboriginal and who gave birth in South Australia did so by caesarean procedure.¹
This is significantly higher than the national average (29.1%) for Aboriginal women who gave birth during that year.¹
Over the last decade, the proportion of Aboriginal women who gave birth in South Australia via caesarean procedure has increased, up from 29.8% in 2007.¹
South Australia recorded the highest proportion of Aboriginal births by caesarean section of the states and territories in 2017.¹

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Data source: AIHW 2019

**Births by caesarean section, Aboriginal mothers, 2017**
State/Territory	%
Australian Capital Territory	27.3%
Queensland	28.0%
Western Australia	28.1%
New South Wales	29.4%
Victoria	29.7%
Northern Territory	30.3%
Tasmania	30.9%
South Australia	32.7%
Australia	29.1%

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Data source: AIHW 2019

Based on Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW 2019), 'Table 2.36: Women who gave birth, by Indigenous status, method of birth and state and territory, 2017', Australia's mothers and babies 2017 -- in brief, Supplementary tables, Cat no. PER 100, viewed 30 September 2019.