Observatory Research Evidence Data Knowledge Questions

Reproductive Health Observatory

Understandingreproductivehealththroughresearch,data&evidence.

We research, monitor and explain fertility, pregnancy, maternal health and neonatal health — making evidence easier to understand and use.

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Four ways in

Whatareyoulookingfor?

The Observatory is built in four parts. Scroll to deal them out; open any one to go deeper.

01 / 04

Data

Explore indicators, trends and countries.

Fertility, maternal and newborn health, measured across countries and over time — every figure shown with its year and its source.

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2.19

births per woman

197

maternal deaths per 100k births

17.2

newborn deaths per 1,000

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02 / 04

Research

Discover RHO research and reports.

Flagship reports on the largest questions in reproductive health, beginning with fertility, maternal health and newborn survival.

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03 / 04

Evidence

Understand what the research says.

Briefs that say how sure we are — from established to unknown — and trace every claim back to the research it stands on.

Knowledge

Explore guides, explainers and publications.

Guides for the real questions people face — before 30, before marriage, through the 280 days of pregnancy, and after.

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Before 30

Pre-Matrimony

280 Days

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Indicators

Thestateofreproductivehealth.

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Global fertility rate

births per woman

World · 2024 · SP.DYN.TFRT.IN

Maternal mortality

per 100,000 live births

World · 2023 · SH.STA.MMRT

Neonatal mortality

per 1,000 live births

World · 2024 · SH.DYN.NMRT

Newborn deaths

in the first 28 days, in one year

World · 2024 · SH.DTH.NMRT

Latest world values from the World Bank, World Development Indicators, retrieved 2026-10-04.

The numbers behind the problem

Wherearenewbornsmostatrisk?

2.3 million

babies died in their first 28 days in 2024 — 17.2 for every 1,000 born alive.

Explore the story

Deaths in the first 28 days, per 1,000 live birthsNo data

World Bank, World Development Indicators · SH.DYN.NMRT · 2024

2.3 million

babies died in their first 28 days in 2024 — 17.2 for every 1,000 born alive.

The story

RHO Research

ResearchthatmovestheObservatoryforward.

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Flagship reportIn preparation

The Global Fertility Transition

Why are fertility rates changing?

Flagship reportIn preparation

The Global Maternal Mortality Report

Why do maternal mortality rates vary so dramatically?

Flagship reportIn preparation

The Global Neonatal Mortality Report

Why do newborn survival rates vary so widely?

Evidence

Whatdoestheevidencesay?

Clear answers to the questions that matter — each graded from established to unknown, and traceable to the research behind it.

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01In preparation

Knowledge for everyday reproductive health

Guides, explainers and publications.

Explore knowledge

Before 30

A reproductive health guide for women in their 20s.

Pre-Matrimony

Understanding reproductive health before marriage and family formation.

280 Days

Understanding pregnancy across the journey from conception to birth.

Questions

What don't we know yet?

Important reproductive-health questions remain unanswered. We keep a registry of them.

Explore the Questions Registry

Understandingreproductivehealththroughresearch,data&evidence.

Whatareyoulookingfor?

Data

Research

Evidence

Knowledge

Thestateofreproductivehealth.

Wherearenewbornsmostatrisk?

ResearchthatmovestheObservatoryforward.

The Global Fertility Transition

The Global Maternal Mortality Report

The Global Neonatal Mortality Report

Whatdoestheevidencesay?

Does age affect fertility?

What factors are associated with male infertility?

What factors influence neonatal survival?

Knowledge for everyday reproductive health

What don't we know yet?