Premature birth rate at its lowest level since 2017
17.11.2025 15:23
According to an analysis by the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) health insurance company, the proportion of premature births in 2024 was 6.0 percent, the lowest since 2017 (6.8 percent). The previous year, the premature birth rate was 6.2 percent. In total, the TK recorded approximately 104,000 births in 2024, of which 6,300 were premature.
Babies born before the 37th week of pregnancy are considered premature. This was announced by TK on the occasion of World Prematurity Day (November 17th).
Trend towards fewer premature births
„The trend toward fewer premature births continues. This is a very encouraging development,“ says Dr. Jens Baas, Chairman of the Board of TK. „It is possible that the diverse efforts of stakeholders in the healthcare system are now bearing fruit since the German Federal Government proclaimed the National Health Goal of „Health Around Birth“ in 2016.“ Now it is crucial to better understand the connections and identify positive influences. With the Health goal The stated goal of policy is to enable and promote healthy pregnancies – also in order to reduce the number of premature births.
Interaction of different factors
There are many reasons why a child is born prematurely. Risk factors include maternal infections, high blood pressure, as well as psychological stress, being underweight or overweight, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Professor Dr. Harald Abele from the University Hospital of Tübingen suspects an interplay of different factors. The obstetrician also points to the general conditions, such as the current decline in birth rates and an increase in abortions. These could be related to demographic trends as well as economic uncertainty in society. Professor Abele: "A hypothesis for the slightly lower rate of premature birth could It may be that pregnancy is experienced much more consciously. Due to the increasing trend of women having pregnancies at later ages and the high rate of cesarean sections, which in turn also influences complications in subsequent pregnancies, those affected are more closely involved in prenatal care. Further research is needed in this area. Professor Abele is one of the experts who contributed to the 2019 guideline on the prevention and treatment of premature births.
Premature babies are at greater risk to their health.
Premature babies often have significantly more health problems compared to full-term babies, for example with breathing, eyes, ears, and development. This has been shown by the TK Children's Health Report proven.
Premature birth also demands a lot from the parents.
Premature babies often require weeks or even months of intensive care in a hospital, specifically designed to meet the unique needs of these tiny infants. This period is extremely demanding for parents of premature babies. Anxiety, worry, and the high level of care required take their toll. Therefore, TK is participating in the innovation fund project. Welcome Under the consortium leadership of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, a new telemedicine and telenursing support system for parents during aftercare will be tested for four years as part of an interdisciplinary project involving, among others, Charité University Hospital.
HEAR project by TK and UKE for better support of parents
Furthermore, TK is working together with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) as the lead partner and other partners on the HEAR-Project (Health and Needs of Parents of Premature Infants). The project systematically assesses the needs and wishes of parents of premature infants and develops concepts for parental health and well-being. to make the discharge from the hospital as smooth as possible. Further information is available on the project website at [website address]. uke.de/hear.
Support from TK
TK supports pregnant women and new mothers with the app. TK Baby Time . It compiles important information on pregnancy, health, and the development of the unborn child. Newly integrated are videos that clearly explain how to pump and store breast milk. This is important because very young babies often cannot yet nurse and are fed from bottles with tiny teats. Pregnant women and mothers with newborns can speak directly with a midwife from the TK midwifery service via chat or telephone with individual questions directly from within the app. A midwife search function is also integrated. This service is very popular, receiving around 2,000 inquiries per month.