C-Sections in Austria: 32.8 Percent in 2025

That the age of mothers has indeed risen significantly is confirmed by the averages: while the average age at childbirth was 28.0 years in 1995, by 2025 it had risen to 31.7 years. Women becoming mothers for the first time were on average 30.5 years old last year – an increase of 4.3 years since 1995.

Trend Toward Later Motherhood

At the same time, the share of older mothers has grown sharply: in 2025, 26.1 percent of women giving birth were 35 or older, compared with just 9.0 percent in 1995. The proportion has thus nearly tripled. Conversely, the share of younger mothers declined significantly: in 2025, only 10.4 percent were under 25 at the time of birth, whereas in 1995 this figure had still been 28.0 percent.

Medical factors also play a role. In cases of abnormal cephalic presentation, 54.3 percent were delivered surgically; in breech presentation, 95.5 percent; and in transverse lie, 97.4 percent. Multiple births were predominantly delivered by cesarean section: 77.5 percent of twin and triplet births came into the world this way.

Birth Settings and Premature Births

Overall, 2.8 percent of live births were twins or triplets. The vast majority of children – 93.1 percent – were born at term, between the 37th week of pregnancy and the estimated due date. The share of preterm births was 6.6 percent in 2025 (4,946 babies) and was thus slightly down compared with the previous year (6.8 percent).

Only a small share of births took place outside a hospital. 98.5 percent of live births occurred in a hospital, 0.2 percent (163 births) in a birthing center or midwifery practice. 1.1 percent of babies (853) were born in the mother's home, and 42 children were born on the way to the hospital.

Regional Differences

There are significant regional differences in cesarean section rates. Styria had the highest rate at 38.5 percent, followed by Vienna (33.7 percent) and Carinthia (33.1 percent). The lowest rates were in Salzburg and Upper Austria, each at 29.2 percent.

Lenk explained the statistical relationship between age and frequency of surgery. Women aged 35 and over in 2025 had a cesarean birth approximately 1.6 times more often than those under 25. This correlation explains part, but not all, of the increase.

The 2025 birth statistics also include information on the weight and size of newborns. Girls weighed on average 3,273 grams at birth and measured 50.6 cm; boys averaged 3,398 grams and measured 51.2 cm.

With the rising cesarean rate, the obstetrical profile in Austria is also changing. The increase reflects both demographic shifts – particularly a higher average age of mothers – and changed clinical decisions for certain fetal positions.

Statistical Context

Statistik Austria evaluates the data annually based on reports from civil registry offices and hospitals. The figures for 2025 were presented on Tuesday in Vienna and refer to all children born alive in Austria in the reporting year.

With the rise in the cesarean rate from 12.4 to 32.8 percent since 1995, the share of surgical deliveries in Austria has nearly tripled over three decades. The trend toward later motherhood is highlighted by Statistik Austria as a central explanation.

In total, 75,437 children were born alive in Austria in 2025. Cesarean sections account for 32.8 percent of these. The remaining roughly two-thirds of children were born spontaneously or with vaginal-operative assistance such as vacuum extraction or forceps.