According to the data released today from the Canadian Vital Statistics - Birth database, there were 365,737 live births in Canada in 2024, 3.7% more births than the 352,644 reported in 2023. While the increase in births has implications for population growth, other trends that might have consequences for the health of the child and of the mother have been observed in recent years.
The number of newborns with low birth weight in Canada increases since 2000
Over the past 25 years, the number and rate of low birthweight babies have increased. In 2000, there were 18,261 newborns with a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams (5 pounds, 8 ounces), accounting for 5.6% of all live births. In 2024, the number of low birthweight babies reached 26,232, representing 7.2% of all live births. Low birth weight has been associated with a higher risk of having developmental disabilities and adult-onset chronic health conditions.
Over the same period, the rate of high birthweight babies—infants weighing 4,500 grams (9 pounds, 15 ounces) or more—has decreased, with high birthweight babies accounting for 2.4% of all live births in 2000 and 1.1% of those in 2024. High birthweight babies have a higher risk of birth injuries during delivery for both mother and child and are associated with the onset of chronic health and developmental problems later in life.
More premature births contribute to the rise in low birthweight babies
The rate of premature birth has been increasing over the past 25 years. In 2000, 7.5% of all live births occurred prior to 37 weeks of gestation. This rate reached a 50-year high of 8.3% in 2023, then decreased slightly to 8.2% in 2024.
Premature births are often associated with low birth weight. During the period from 2000 to 2024, the rate of low birth weight increased among babies who were born prematurely. In 2000, just over half (52.1%) of premature newborns weighed less than 2,500 grams. Since then, the rate has increased slightly and sat at 56.6% in 2024.
Older mothers have higher rates of low birth weight and premature birth
Births to older mothers have become more frequent in the past 25 years. In 2024, mothers aged 35 years and older accounted for 27.1% of all live births, compared with 16.1% in 2000.
In 2024, the rate of premature births and the rate of low birthweight babies were higher among older mothers than mothers under the age of 35 years. Indeed, the rate of premature births was 9.4% for older mothers, while it was 7.8% for mothers aged less than 35 years. At the same time, the rate of low birthweight babies was 8.0% for older mothers, while it was 6.9% for mothers aged less than 35 years.
Note to readers
The data released today are based on what provincial and territorial vital statistics registries report to Statistics Canada as a result of the civil registration of births. In recent years, in an effort to be timelier with releases, the duration of data collection was shortened compared with past years. Therefore, 2024 data are considered preliminary and will be revised with subsequent releases.
The analysis presented in this release is based on live births to mothers whose usual residence is in Canada. For reference, there were 1,610 births to non-resident mothers in 2024.
Information on the potential health consequences of low birth weight and premature birth come from the World Health Organization's Global nutrition targets 2025: low birth weight policy brief.
Information on the potential health consequences of high birth weight comes from Chapter 5: Postpartum Care of the Public Health Agency of Canada's Family-centred maternity and newborn care: National guidelines.
Contact information
For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).