Caesarean section rates in public vs private hospitals in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis using the Robson ten group classification system

High CS rates were observed across Europe, with Southern Europe reporting the highest levels. Rates were consistently higher in private compared to public hospitals. In both settings, Group 5 (women with a previous CS) was the largest contributor to the overall CS rate. However, low-risk women in private hospitals (Groups 1 and 2) had twice the CS rates compared with public hospitals. These findings highlight that the excess CS burden in private hospitals is largely driven by unnecessary procedures in low-risk groups. There is an urgent need for interventions that promote evidence-based care and reduce unnecessary CS especially among low-risk women.