About this data
- Shares are of deliveries where the method of delivery was recorded (97% in 2024-25). A delivery is counted once, even if more than one baby is born.
- An elective caesarean is planned in advance; an emergency caesarean is decided on during pregnancy or labour.
- NHS England changed how it counts deliveries in 2006-07 and 2012-13; the changes made less than one percentage point of difference. Figures before 2006 are rounded to one decimal place, and there are no figures for 1981 and 1986 to 1988.
This chart appears in Child and maternal health.