Japan, the Nordic countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark), and Iceland consistently rank as the safest countries to have a baby, offering the lowest infant mortality rates and excellent healthcare, with Japan often cited as #1 by organizations like UNICEF for newborn survival, while South Korea and Singapore also perform exceptionally well. These nations excel due to high-quality maternal care, advanced healthcare systems, and socioeconomic factors, though slight variations occur in different reports focusing on neonatal vs. overall infant survival.
Countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Nordics have invested heavily in both maternal care during pregnancy and intensive care units after birth. That explains why their neonatal mortality rates are so low.
Babies born in Japan, Iceland, and Singapore have the best chance of survival, while for newborns in Pakistan, the Central African Republic, and Afghanistan the chances are the worst.
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
Japan gets top marks for best newborn/infant outcomes. UNICEF announced their list of the best places to give birth in 2019: Japan, Iceland, Singapore, Finland and tie on the number 5th spot is Estonia and Slovenia.
Moving to Sweden offers numerous benefits for families, making it one of the most family-friendly countries in the world. Gothenburg is a family-friendly city, with many parks, recreational facilities, and cultural activities tailored for children.
Giving birth at a midwifery unit is as safe for most mums and babies as giving birth at an obstetric unit. You're more likely to have a birth at a midwifery unit with fewer interventions. For a few mums, complications may arise in labour and in those cases you'll be transferred to an obstetric unit.
The 2024 GPI indicates Iceland, Ireland, Austria, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Portugal, Denmark, Slovenia, Malaysia and Canada to be the most peaceful countries, while Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Congo, Russia, Syria, Israel and Mali to be the least peaceful.
According to the latest 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world in 2021, a position it has held since 2008. It is joined at the top of the index by New Zealand, Denmark, Portugal, and Slovenia.
While you are pregnant, you should not travel to areas where there is risk of malaria, including Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If you can't avoid travel to these areas, your ob-gyn may prescribe an antimalarial medication that is safe to use during pregnancy.
The "3-2-1 Rule" in pregnancy is a guideline for first-time mothers to know when to call their midwife or doctor for active labor: consistent contractions every 3 minutes, lasting 2 minutes each (or 1 minute long for some variations), for over 1 hour. It helps differentiate true labor from false labor (Braxton Hicks), signaling it's time to head to the birthing center, while subsequent pregnancies often follow the faster 5-1-1 rule.
The 5-5-5 rule for birth is a postpartum recovery guideline for the first 15 days, emphasizing rest: 5 days in bed, 5 days on the bed, and 5 days near the bed, with gradual activity increases to support physical and emotional healing, bonding with the baby, and setting boundaries for visitors and chores. It's a framework for prioritizing self-care, but it's flexible, and full recovery takes longer, so listening to your body is key.
Sweden maternal mortality rate for 2021 was 5.00, a 0% increase from 2020. Sweden maternal mortality rate for 2020 was 5.00, a 25% increase from 2019.
Throughout the world, the following countries have the lowest infant mortality rates:
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, is consistently ranked as the #1 hospital in the world by publications like Newsweek and Statista, earning this title for multiple years due to its high quality of care, patient safety, and outcomes, with rankings also highlighting its excellence in numerous specialized fields.
The best doctors in the world are often found in countries with top-ranked healthcare systems and medical education. These include the United States, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Top 10 Best Countries to Live in 2025
Iceland is consistently ranked as the #1 safest country in the world by the Global Peace Index (GPI), a position it has held for over a decade due to extremely low crime, no standing army, high social cohesion, and minimal conflict, though some other reports might place Switzerland or the Netherlands first based on different survey criteria.
1. Memphis. Memphis has one of the highest crime rates in the country at 2,437 per 100,000 people, with assault leading the list. The city has addressed these issues through targeted policing and community engagement initiatives.
1. Afghanistan: The Most Dangerous Country for 2025. Afghanistan continues to hold the position as the most dangerous country in the world. Persistent terrorism, rampant political instability, and large-scale displacement have left the nation in a state of severe unrest and a highly dangerous place.
Risk of Miscarriage by Week
Your risk of miscarriage is greatest between weeks 0 and 10. In the early days of pregnancy, you likely don't yet know you're pregnant. A miscarriage may simply seem like a late period.
The most common birth defect in the United States, a congenital heart defect results when the heart, or blood vessels near the heart, don't develop normally before birth. One in 110 babies are born with a CHD.
Tips for a Safer Childbirth