Perinatal deaths and perinatal mortality rates in Cape Town for the period 1967--1977 have been analysed, and large differences were found between the various ethnic groups. In non-Whites stillbirths accounted for more than two-thirds of perinatal deaths in 1977, and in at least 75% of these fetal death preceded labour. Perinatal mortality rates must be considered together with the number of perinatal deaths if the true magnitude of the problem with regard to the various obstetric complications and procedures is to be appreciated. The main perinatal problems as they affect the infant were (i) during pregnancy--antepartum haemorrhage (especially abruptio placentae), intra-uterine growth retardaton, multiple pregnancy, proteinuric hypertension and unbooked status; (ii) during labour and delivery--preterm labour, stillbirths (especially before labour) and vaginal breech delivery; (iii) in the early neonatnal period--immaturity and respiratory distress and neonatal infection.