Maternal mortality rates can vary significantly around the world. For example, in 2022, Estonia had a maternal mortality rate of zero per 100,000 live births, while Mexico reported a rate of 38 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, the regions with the highest number of maternal deaths are Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, with differences between countries and regions often reflecting inequalities in health care services and access. Most causes of maternal mortality are preventable and treatable with the most common causes including severe bleeding, infections, complications during delivery, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and unsafe abortion. Maternal mortality in the United States In 2022, there were a total of 817 maternal deaths in the United States. Women aged 25 to 39 years accounted for 578 of these deaths, however, rates of maternal mortality are much higher among women aged 40 years and older. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among women aged 40 years and older in the U.S. was 87 per 100,000 live births, compared to a rate of 21 among women aged 25 to 39 years. The rate of maternal mortality in the U.S. has risen in recent years among all age groups. Differences in maternal mortality in the U.S. by race/ethnicity Sadly, there are great disparities in maternal mortality in the United States among different races and ethnicities. In 2022, the rate of maternal mortality among non-Hispanic white women was about 19 per 100,000 live births, while non-Hispanic Black women died from maternal causes at a rate of almost 50 per 100,000 live births. Rates of maternal mortality have risen for white and Hispanic women in recent years, but Black women have by far seen the largest increase in maternal mortality. In 2022, around 253 Black women died from maternal causes in the United States.

In 2023, ******* had the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with around *** maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. ******* was followed by **** with a rate of *** maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. This statistic shows the 20 countries with the highest maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births in 2023.

Canada maternal mortality rate for 2020 was 11.00, a 0% increase from 2019.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Canada maternal mortality rate for 2019 was <strong>11.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2018.</li>
<li>Canada maternal mortality rate for 2018 was <strong>11.00</strong>, a <strong>15.38% decline</strong> from 2017.</li>
<li>Canada maternal mortality rate for 2017 was <strong>13.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2016.</li>
</ul>Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.

The average for 2020 based on 182 countries was 138 deaths per 100,000 births. The highest value was in Chad: 1063 deaths per 100,000 births and the lowest value was in Belarus: 1 deaths per 100,000 births. The indicator is available from 2000 to 2020. Below is a chart for all countries where data are available.

United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 14.000 Ratio in 2015. This stayed constant from the previous number of 14.000 Ratio for 2014. United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 13.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.000 Ratio in 2009 and a record low of 11.000 Ratio in 1998. United States US: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.; ; WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2015; Weighted average; This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.

This data presents national-level provisional maternal mortality rates based on a current flow of mortality and natality data in the National Vital Statistics System. Provisional rates which are an early estimate of the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, are shown as of the date specified and may not include all deaths and births that occurred during a given time period (see Technical Notes). A maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy irrespective of the duration and the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. In this data visualization, maternal deaths are those deaths with an underlying cause of death assigned to International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code numbers A34, O00–O95, and O98–O99. The provisional data include reported 12 month-ending provisional maternal mortality rates overall, by age, and by race and Hispanic origin. Provisional maternal mortality rates presented in this data visualization are for “12-month ending periods,” defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births occurring in the 12-month period ending in the month indicated. For example, the 12-month ending period in June 2020 would include deaths and births occurring from July 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. Evaluation of trends over time should compare estimates from year to year (June 2020 and June 2021), rather than month to month, to avoid overlapping time periods. In the visualization and in the accompanying data file, rates based on death counts less than 20 are suppressed in accordance with current NCHS standards of reliability for rates. Death counts between 1-9 in the data file are suppressed in accordance with National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) confidentiality standards. Provisional data presented on this page will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional records are received. Previously released estimates are revised to include data and record updates received since the previous release. As a result, the reliability of estimates for a 12-month period ending with a specific month will improve with each quarterly release and estimates for previous time periods may change as new data and updates are received.

In South Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria the maternal mortality rate was above one thousand in 2020. South Sudan recorded the highest number of mothers' deaths per 100,000 live births. That year, for every 100,000 children, 1,223 mothers died from any cause related to or aggravated by pregnancy or its management. The maternal death rate in Chad equaled to 1,063. Nigeria followed with 1,047 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Sub-Saharan Africa maternal mortality rate for 2023 was 448.00, a 1.54% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Sub-Saharan Africa maternal mortality rate for 2022 was <strong>455.00</strong>, a <strong>9.18% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Sub-Saharan Africa maternal mortality rate for 2021 was <strong>501.00</strong>, a <strong>3.09% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Sub-Saharan Africa maternal mortality rate for 2020 was <strong>486.00</strong>, a <strong>4.14% decline</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.

Libya LY: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 9.000 Ratio in 2015. This stayed constant from the previous number of 9.000 Ratio for 2014. Libya LY: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 13.500 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39.000 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 9.000 Ratio in 2015. Libya LY: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Libya – Table LY.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).; ; WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2015; Weighted average; This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.

Germany DE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 4.000 Ratio in 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.000 Ratio for 2022. Germany DE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 6.000 Ratio from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.000 Ratio in 1986 and a record low of 4.000 Ratio in 2023. Germany DE: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Germany – Table DE.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Weighted average;This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator (3.1.1) for monitoring maternal health.

Japan JP: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 5.000 Ratio in 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.000 Ratio for 2014. Japan JP: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 8.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2015, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.000 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 5.000 Ratio in 2015. Japan JP: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Japan – Table JP.World Bank: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.; ; WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and the United Nations Population Division. Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2015. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2015; Weighted average; This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator for monitoring maternal health.

This dataset presents the maternal mortality ratio (MMR), defined as the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Maternal death refers to the death of a woman during pregnancy or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, from causes related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management. MMR is a critical indicator of health system quality, equity, and access to timely, skilled care. It also reflects broader social and structural determinants of health. Data are sourced from the WHO Global Health Observatory, which compiles standardised global health indicators for monitoring and comparison.Data Source: WHO Global Health Observatory,This is one of many datasets featured on the Midwives’ Data Hub, a digital platform designed to strengthen midwifery and advocate for better maternal and newborn health services.

Statistics on maternal mortality are produced based on the database of causes of death. "Maternal deaths" are selected from the database via a complex procedure, which takes into account the definition given by the WHO and is described in detail in the metadata. The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) defines maternal death as "the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and the site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes." "Maternal deaths should be subdivided into two groups. Direct obstetric deaths: those resulting from obstetric complications of the pregnant state (pregnancy, labour and puerperium), from interventions, omissions, incorrect treatment, or from a chain of events resulting from any of the above. Indirect obstetric deaths: those resulting from previous existing disease or disease that developed during pregnancy and which was not due to direct obstetric causes, but which was aggravated by physiologic effects of pregnancy." Furthermore, the ICD-10 also defines late maternal death as "the death of a woman from direct or indirect obstetric causes more than 42 days but less than one year after termination of pregnancy." The "maternal mortality rate" is the ratio between the number of recorded direct and indirect maternal deaths over one year and the number of live birth in the same year, expressed per 100,000 live births. Late maternal deaths are not taken into account in the calculation of this ratio. Given the small and markedly variable number of cases recorded each year in Belgium, it has been decided to calculate this ratio based on the cumulated maternal deaths and live births of five consecutive years, with the ratio calculated being recorded in the middle year. When identifying these maternal deaths, the ad hoc working group, bringing together the Belgian statistical office and all data producing federated entities, did not exclude the risk of an underestimation of these deaths, based on the only statistical bulletin used as main source. It therefore asks for continued efforts to further improve the follow-up of maternal deaths, and supports the recent initiative of the College of physicians for Mother and Newborn to consider the creation of a maternal mortality register.

Colombia maternal mortality rate for 2023 was 59.00, a 20.27% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Colombia maternal mortality rate for 2022 was <strong>74.00</strong>, a <strong>49.66% decline</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Colombia maternal mortality rate for 2021 was <strong>147.00</strong>, a <strong>56.38% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Colombia maternal mortality rate for 2020 was <strong>94.00</strong>, a <strong>42.42% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.

Angola AO: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data was reported at 183.000 Ratio in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 185.000 Ratio for 2022. Angola AO: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 499.000 Ratio from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 920.000 Ratio in 1987 and a record low of 183.000 Ratio in 2023. Angola AO: Maternal Mortality Ratio: Modeled Estimate: per 100,000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Angola – Table AO.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).;WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group, and UNDESA/Population Division. Trends in maternal mortality estimates 2000 to 2023. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2025;Weighted average;This indicator represents the risk associated with each pregnancy and is also a Sustainable Development Goal Indicator (3.1.1) for monitoring maternal health.

Norway maternal mortality rate for 2023 was 1.00, a 66.67% decline from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Norway maternal mortality rate for 2022 was <strong>3.00</strong>, a <strong>50% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Norway maternal mortality rate for 2021 was <strong>2.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Norway maternal mortality rate for 2020 was <strong>2.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.

Sources:a National Institute for Population Research and Training, MEASURE Evaluation, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (2012) Bangladesh Maternal Mortality and Health Care Survey 2010. Available: http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/tr-12-87. Accessed October 15, 2012.b World Health Organization (ND) WHO Maternal Mortality Country Profiles. Available: www.who.int/gho/maternal_health/en/#M. Accessed 1 March 2015.c Lozano R, Wang H, Foreman KJ, Rajaratnam JK, Naghavi M, Marcus JR, et al. (2011) Progress towards Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 on maternal and child mortality: an updated systematic analysis. Lancet 378(9797): 1139–65. 10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61337-8d UNFPA, UNICEF, WHO, World Bank (2012) Trends in maternal mortality: 1990–2010. Available: http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/publications/pid/10728. Accessed 7 October 2012.e Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistics Informatics Division, Ministry of Planning (December 2012) Population and Housing Census 2011, Socio-economic and Demographic Report, National Series–Volume 4. Available at: http://203.112.218.66/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/BBS/Socio_Economic.pdf. Accessed 15 February, 2015.f Mozambique National Institute of Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, MEASURE Evaluation, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) Mortality in Mozambique: Results from a 2007–2008 Post-Census Mortality Survey. Available: http://www.cpc.unc.edu/measure/publications/tr-11-83. Accessed 6 October 2012.g Ministerio da Saude (MISAU), Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) e ICF International (ICFI). Moçambique Inquérito Demográfico e de Saúde 2011. Calverton, Maryland, USA: MISAU, INE e ICFI.h Mudenda SS, Kamocha S, Mswia R, Conkling M, Sikanyiti P, et al. (2011) Feasibility of using a World Health Organization-standard methodology for Sample Vital Registration with Verbal Autopsy (SAVVY) to report leading causes of death in Zambia: results of a pilot in four provinces, 2010. Popul Health Metr 9:40. 10.1186/1478-7954-9-40i Central Statistical Office (CSO), Ministry of Health (MOH), Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC), University Teaching Hospital Virology Laboratory, University of Zambia, and ICF International Inc. 2014. Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2013–14: Preliminary Report. Rockville, Maryland, USA. Available: http://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/PR53/PR53.pdf. Accessed February 26, 2015.j Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014) Saving Mothers, Giving Life: Maternal Mortality.Phase 1 Monitoring and Evaluation Report. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Dept of Health and Human Services. Available at: http://www.savingmothersgivinglife.org/doc/Maternal%20Mortality%20(advance%20copy).pdf. Accessed 26 February 2015.k Central Statistical Office (CSO), Ministry of Health (MOH), Tropical Diseases Research Centre (TDRC), University of Zambia, and Macro International Inc. 2009. Zambia Demographic and Health Survey 2007. Calverton, Maryland, USA: CSO and Macro International Inc.Comparison of Maternal Mortality Estimates: Zambia, Bangladesh, Mozambique.

Germany maternal mortality rate for 2023 was 4.00, a 0% increase from 2022.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Germany maternal mortality rate for 2022 was <strong>4.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Germany maternal mortality rate for 2021 was <strong>4.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
<li>Germany maternal mortality rate for 2020 was <strong>4.00</strong>, a <strong>0% increase</strong> from 2019.</li>
</ul>Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP.

Global Maternal Mortality Ratio (Modeled Estimates) by Country, 2023 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

This statistic shows the ranking of countries according to the lifetime risk of maternal death worldwide in 2015. Belarus ranked as the leading country in terms of maternal care with a lifetime risk of maternal death accounting for 1 in 45,200 pregnancies.