Miscarriage Statistics By Risk Percentage, Country, Demographics and Facts
Updated · Feb 06, 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Miscarriage Statistics: Miscarriage, a term often covered in silence and bad memories, is a deeply personal and emotionally devastating experience for many women. It refers to the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of gestation. While the exact causes of miscarriage can be complex and varied, it is a common occurrence, affecting millions of women worldwide.
As we are stepping ahead in our era, health conditions that occur due to lifestyle, prevailing health issues, lack of health facilities, or limited healthcare units in the area are the most common causes of miscarriage. These terms are explained more in the following Miscarriage Statistics.
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- By 2025, the global miscarriage rate is expected to stabilize at around 12-14% of all pregnancies.
- According to Ovoria.com, the initial period of the pregnancy is the most risky period, as loss of pregnancy is observed before the 12th week in 80% of the cases.
- Miscarriage Statistics estimate that by 2030, women over 45 may experience miscarriage rates of 50-55%.
- Forecasts suggest that with better prenatal care and medical interventions, miscarriage rates could drop by 5-8% among couples receiving proper medical support by 2025 and beyond.
- Women over 35 will continue to see increased miscarriage rates, projected to be around 18-22% by 2025.
- India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the leading countries with the highest miscarriage rates. Compared to these, Japan, Australia, and South Korea have opposite rates.
- Men who smoke have a 20-30% higher chance of contributing to a miscarriage. Smoking damages sperm DNA, and secondhand smoke exposure can affect the health of the mother and fetus.
- Poor sperm quality contributes to 20% of miscarriages globally. DNA fragmentation in sperm can increase the chances of miscarriage, leading to pregnancy loss even if conception occurs.
- Treatment for poor sperm quality or lifestyle interventions can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 in the US, depending on the medical support needed.
- Developing countries will face greater challenges in reducing miscarriage rates due to limited healthcare access, with miscarriage rates likely remaining at 15-17% in these regions without significant health reforms.
Miscarriage Statistics By Risk Percentage By Week Of Pregnancy
(Reference: ovoria.com)
According to Ovoria.com, the initial period of the pregnancy is the most risky period, as loss of pregnancy is observed before the 12th week in 80% of the cases. Based on the above chart, the highest risk is observed during the first to fourth week at a rate of 10 to 25%. However, during the last semester, it is less than 1%.
Miscarriage Rates By Country 2024
Miscarriage Statistics show that India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan are the leading countries with the highest miscarriage rates. Compared to these, Japan, Australia, and South Korea have opposite rates. However, the reasons behind baby loss differ based on developing and developed countries.
| Country | Rate | Leading reasons for miscarriage |
| India | 15% | Limited access to healthcare facilities, poor maternal health, various infections |
| Bangladesh | 14.5% | Inadequate prenatal care, malnutrition |
| Pakistan | 13.9% | Limited access to healthcare facilities, material malnutrition |
| Nigeria | 13.7% | Infections, poor maternal health, limited healthcare facilities |
| United States | 13.2% | Obesity, advanced maternal age, alcohol and smoking |
| Brazil | 12.8% | Diabetes, hypertension, prevailing maternal health issues |
| South Africa | 12.8% | HIV/AIDS, limited access to healthcare facilities |
| China | 12.5% | Lifestyle-related health issues, environmental pollution |
| Mexico | 12.4% | Obesity, diabetes, limited access to prenatal care units in rural areas |
| Russia | 12.3% | Smoking, alcohol consumption, stress |
| Indonesia | 12.2% | Maternal malnutrition, limited healthcare facilities |
| Philippines | 12% | Limited access to healthcare facilities |
| Vietnam | 11.9% | Infection, limited access to healthcare facilities |
| Ethiopia | 11.5% | Malaria, HIV, malnutrition |
| Kenya | 11.4% | Infections, limited access to healthcare facilities, inadequate maternal nutrition |
| United Kingdom | 11.2% | Lifestyle-related health issues, advanced maternal age |
| Germany | 11.1% | Diabetes, advanced maternal age |
| France | 11% | Lifestyle-related health issues, advanced maternal age |
| Italy | 10.8% | Stress, advanced maternal age |
| Japan | 10.7% |
Stress, advanced maternal age |
| Australia | 10.5% | Obesity, advanced maternal age |
| South Korea | 10.4% | Stress, advanced maternal age |
Demographics Of Women With A Risk Of Miscarriage
Miscarriage Statistics show that multiple factors affect the reason behind miscarriage in women. However, the most common reasons are lifestyle-related health issues and limited access to healthcare facilities. Based on the Miscarriage Statistics, the demographics of women with a risk of miscarriage are explained below.
Ethnicity
| Ethnicity | Rate | Leading reasons for miscarriage |
| Caucasian | 12 to 15% | Smoking, alcohol consumption, advanced age |
| African-American | 16 to 18% | Limited access to quality prenatal care, diabetes, hypertension |
| Hispanic women | 14 to 16% | Obesity, gestational diabetes, limited healthcare facilities |
| Asian | 10 to 12% | Stress, limited access to healthcare units in rural areas |
| Indigenous | 17 to 19% | Poverty, malnutrition |
Employment
| Employment type | Share of Miscarriage |
| Full-time employed women | 12.5% |
| Part-time or informal employed women | 14 to 16% |
| Unemployed women | 17% |
Education level
| Level of Education | Share of Miscarriage |
| College level education | 10 to 11% |
| Secondary education | 12 to 13% |
| Primary or formal education | 17 to 18% |
Lifestyle
| Level of Education | Share of Miscarriage |
| Smoking | 14 to 17%, may increase to 20 to 30% |
| Alcohol Consumption | 16 to 20% |
| Obesity | 15 to 18% |
| Living/ working in a stressful environment | 14 to 16% |
| Balanced diets | 9 to 11% |
Age
| Maternal Age | Rate of Miscarriage |
| 44 to 46 years | 60% |
| 42 to 43 years | 45% |
| 40 to 41 years | 33% |
| 38 to 39 years | 22% |
| 35 to 37 years | 16% |
| 30 to 34 years | 12% |
| Less than 30 | 8% |
Does Men’s Health Play Any Role In Miscarriage?
Men’s health plays an important role in miscarriage rates, and recent research highlights several factors that connect men’s well-being to pregnancy outcomes. Sperm quality, age, and lifestyle choices can impact the risk of miscarriage, showing that both partners’ health is essential for a healthy pregnancy.
Impact Of Men’s Health On Miscarriage Rates In 2024
#1. Sperm Quality:
- Poor sperm quality contributes to 20% of miscarriages globally. DNA fragmentation in sperm can increase the chances of miscarriage, leading to pregnancy loss even if conception occurs. Sperm with high levels of DNA damage can affect the embryo’s development, leading to early pregnancy failure.
#2. Men’s Age:
- Miscarriage risk increases with the father’s age. For men over 40, there is a 30% higher chance of miscarriage compared to younger men. This is due to aging sperm, which may carry more genetic mutations, leading to complications during pregnancy.
#3. Lifestyle Factors:
- Smoking: Men who smoke have a 20-30% higher chance of contributing to a miscarriage. Smoking damages sperm DNA, and secondhand smoke exposure can affect the health of the mother and fetus.
- Alcohol Consumption: Heavy drinking in men is linked to a 35% increase in miscarriage risk. Excessive alcohol intake affects sperm health, leading to poor embryo development.
- Obesity: Miscarriage Statistics show that obese men (BMI ≥ 30) increase the risk of miscarriage by 10-15%. Obesity affects sperm quality, including reduced sperm count and mobility, which can complicate the chances of maintaining a pregnancy.
#4. Underlying Health Conditions:
- Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and hormonal imbalances in men are linked to a 15-20% higher miscarriage rate. These health issues can negatively impact sperm production and quality.
Economic Implications
Investing in men’s health can reduce miscarriage rates and lower healthcare costs. For instance, treatment for poor sperm quality or lifestyle interventions can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 in the US, depending on the medical support needed. These interventions can help reduce the number of miscarriages and save families from the emotional and financial burden of pregnancy loss.
Men’s health significantly influences miscarriage risk, with sperm quality, age, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions playing key roles. Addressing these factors can reduce the miscarriage rate by up to 20%, improving outcomes for couples. As awareness grows, more focus on men’s reproductive health could lead to better healthcare strategies, reducing miscarriage rates and associated costs in US dollars.
Miscarriage Forecast For 2025 and Beyond
#1. Global Miscarriage Rate:
- By 2025, the global miscarriage rate is expected to stabilize at around 12-14% of all pregnancies. However, this could slightly increase depending on age demographics and lifestyle trends. If healthcare access and preventive measures improve, there is potential for a small decrease, but challenges remain in low-income countries.
#2. Age-Related Risk:
- Women over 35 will continue to see increased miscarriage rates, projected to be around 18-22% by 2025. The trend of delayed pregnancies is expected to rise, especially in developed countries. Women over 40 could face miscarriage rates as high as 35-40%, and this could increase further as the average maternal age rises in future years.
#3. Lifestyle Impacts:
- The impact of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking, poor diet, and alcohol consumption, will remain significant. By 2025, smokers and those with unhealthy habits will continue to experience a 20-30% higher risk of miscarriage. If public health campaigns succeed in reducing smoking and obesity rates, the overall impact may decrease, but this is uncertain.
#4. Healthcare Interventions:
- Advances in healthcare, such as improved fertility treatments and genetic testing, are expected to reduce miscarriage rates slightly in developed nations. Miscarriage Statistics suggest that with better prenatal care and medical interventions, miscarriage rates could drop by 5-8% among couples receiving proper medical support by 2025 and beyond.
#5. Men’s Health Contribution:
- Increasing focus on men’s reproductive health could also impact future miscarriage rates. If more attention is given to men’s sperm quality and lifestyle improvements, miscarriage risks related to poor sperm health could decline by 5-10% in the coming years.
#6. Economic Costs:
- The economic cost of miscarriage-related healthcare is forecasted to rise to $700 million to $1.2 billion globally by 2025, driven by rising healthcare costs, fertility treatments, and increased maternal age. Efforts to reduce risk factors could lower these costs, but without significant changes, the financial burden will likely increase.
Long-Term Forecast (2030 and Beyond)
- By 2030, miscarriage rates are forecasted to rise slightly if maternal age continues to increase. Miscarriage Statistics estimate that women over 45 may experience miscarriage rates of 50-55%. However, if there are substantial improvements in lifestyle changes and medical technology, the global miscarriage rate could stabilize or even decrease slightly.
- Developing countries will face greater challenges in reducing miscarriage rates due to limited healthcare access, with miscarriage rates likely remaining at 15-17% in these regions without significant health reforms.
Overall, addressing factors like age, men’s health, lifestyle, and healthcare access will be critical to managing miscarriage rates in 2025 and beyond. The forecast highlights both the risks and opportunities for improvement, with economic costs in US dollars continuing to rise unless preventive measures are widely adopted.
Conclusion
It is important to acknowledge that miscarriage is a normal and natural part of pregnancy. While it may be a heartbreaking experience, it is not a reflection of a woman’s worth or her ability to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. Seeking support from loved ones, friends, or healthcare professionals can be invaluable in coping with the emotional and physical challenges associated with miscarriage.
Hope to see a better future with reducing the percentage of miscarriages, as mentioned in Miscarriage Statistics, with a better lifestyle and access to healthcare units soon.
Sources
Saisuman is a talented content writer with a keen interest in mobile tech, new gadgets, law, and science. She writes articles for websites and newsletters, conducting thorough research for medical professionals. Fluent in five languages, her love for reading and languages led her to a writing career. With a Master’s in Business Administration focusing on Human Resources, Saisuman has worked in HR and with a French international company. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and singing classical songs. At Coolest Gadgets, Saisuman reviews gadgets and analyzes their statistics, making complex information easy for readers to understand.
