The number of babies born on Christmas Day more than doubled since early figures were released on the day (25 December).
The Department of Health on Thursday confirmed the final numbers which marked a significant increase from the 714 babies birthed by noon on Christmas Day. According to the final statistics shared by the Department of Health, 1 668 babies were safely delivered in public health facilities in South Africa, of which 854 are girls and 814 are boys.
Adding to the joyfulness, the Department revealed that 308 more births were recorded this year compared to the 1 360 babies born on the same day in 2024.
Leading the delivery statistics, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital recorded the highest number of Christmas Day births with 38 newborns, followed closely by Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital with 35 deliveries. Both facilities are located in Gauteng province.
Total number of births recorded per province: Eastern Cape (187); Gauteng (428); Free State (88); Limpopo (182); KwaZulu-Natal (302); Mpumalanga (172); North West (95); Northern Cape (43); and Western Cape (171).
However, the statistics revealed a concerning trend in teenage pregnancies, with the number of teenage mothers delivering on Christmas Day rising from 90 in 2024 to just over 130 this year.
In response to this increase, the Department emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns focused on Sexual Reproductive Health, including comprehensive family planning education. The initiative aims to empower adolescent girls and young women with vital health education, enabling them to make informed health choices that could reduce unintended pregnancies and, consequently, decrease the number of unsafe and life-threatening abortions.
The Department reminded new mothers and their families of the importance of registering their newborns with the Department of Home Affairs within 30 days of birth. Officials noted that most hospitals across the country provide this registration service directly at the time of birth, making the process more convenient for families.
