Around 13.4 million babies were born preterm in 2020, according to a new report. Preterm birth rates have not changed in any region of the world over the past decade, with 152 million vulnerable babies born "too early" between 2010 and 2020.
South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates of preterm birth, and preterm babies in these regions face the highest risk of mortality. Nearly 1 in 10 premature babies are born in the 10 most fragile countries affected by humanitarian crises.