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Among all countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Turkey, followed by South Korea, had the highest rate of Caesarean section births (or C-sections) in 2023. At that time, the rate of C-sections in Turkey was roughly 615 per 1,000 live births. Among global regions, Latin America and the Caribbean had the highest percentage of births that were delivered by C-section, while sub-Saharan Africa had the lowest rates of Cesarean section births. 

Cesarean section costs

A Cesarean section is a form of birth where the baby is taken out through a surgical incision in the abdomen rather than a natural vaginal birth. The cost of a Cesarean section delivery varies globally, with the United States having the highest cost globally for Cesarean section deliveries, while Germany the lowest cost among selected countries worldwide. In the United States, C-sections are significantly more expensive than a delivery by vaginal birth.

High C-sections rates in the U.S.

Over the past 20 years, the C-section rate in the U.S. has gradually been increasing, with more stable trends in the past few years. It has been reported that many of the C-sections performed in the U.S. are elective and not necessary. Often, the risks of C-sections are greater than the benefits, when performed as an elective procedure. Therefore, the United States has a "healthy people target" for the c-section rate of first time, low-risk mothers. However, less than half of hospitals are meeting the national targets for Cesarean sections performed.