Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa

Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa was 118 per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to World Health Organization. That is down 11.7 from 2022. That is the 62nd highest of 195 countries in 2023.

2023, per 100,000 live births118
Change on 2022-11.7
Rank62nd of 195Countries ranked
Series high2832006
Series low1182023

Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa, 1985 to 2023

10015020025030019851991199720032009201520231985: 208 per 100,000 live births1986: 200 per 100,000 live births1987: 192 per 100,000 live births1988: 184 per 100,000 live births1989: 177 per 100,000 live births1990: 170 per 100,000 live births1991: 162 per 100,000 live births1992: 152 per 100,000 live births1993: 145 per 100,000 live births1994: 133 per 100,000 live births1995: 125 per 100,000 live births1996: 150 per 100,000 live births1997: 152 per 100,000 live births1998: 152 per 100,000 live births1999: 151 per 100,000 live births2000: 175 per 100,000 live births2001: 192 per 100,000 live births2002: 225 per 100,000 live births2003: 245 per 100,000 live births2004: 259 per 100,000 live births2005: 279 per 100,000 live births2006: 283 per 100,000 live births2007: 272 per 100,000 live births2008: 272 per 100,000 live births2009: 241 per 100,000 live births2010: 226 per 100,000 live births2011: 202 per 100,000 live births2012: 194 per 100,000 live births2013: 180 per 100,000 live births2014: 162 per 100,000 live births2015: 150 per 100,000 live births2016: 141 per 100,000 live births2017: 134 per 100,000 live births2018: 128 per 100,000 live births2019: 119 per 100,000 live births2020: 118 per 100,000 live births2021: 191 per 100,000 live births2022: 129 per 100,000 live births2023: 118 per 100,000 live births
per 100,000 live births. Source: World Health Organization, Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births) (MDG_0000000026). Retrieved 2026-10-12, published 2026-05-18.
All 39 values
Periodper 100,000 live births
2023118
2022129
2021191
2020118
2019119
2018128
2017134
2016141
2015150
2014162
2013180
2012194
2011202
2010226
2009241
2008272
2007272
2006283
2005279
2004259
2003245
2002225
2001192
2000175
1999151
1998152
1997152
1996150
1995125
1994133
1993145
1992152
1991162
1990170
1989177
1988184
1987192
1986200
1985208

Rankings

Definition

Deaths of women from causes related to pregnancy or its management, during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end, per 100,000 live births in the year (SDG indicator 3.1.1). Accidental and incidental causes are excluded. Estimates of the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and UN DESA), published by WHO.

Modelled estimates that adjust registered deaths for misclassification and under-reporting, so they differ from national vital statistics, often by a wide margin. Values are served with every decimal WHO publishes. WHO revises these series, past years included, when new national reports or estimates come in, so values can change between retrievals.

How to cite

World Health Organization, data.who.int. Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births) (MDG_0000000026) [Indicator]. https://data.who.int/indicators/i/C071DCB/AC597B1 (Accessed on 2026-10-12). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. No changes made to source values. WHO does not endorse Invokely or this use of the data.

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Questions

What is the maternal mortality ratio in South Africa?

Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa was 118 per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to World Health Organization. That is down 11.7 from 2022. That is the 62nd highest of 195 countries in 2023.

Where does this figure come from?

World Health Organization. Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births) (MDG_0000000026). Retrieved by Invokely on 2026-10-12.

What was the highest maternal mortality ratio in South Africa?

283 per 100,000 live births in 2006, the highest value since 1985 in this series.

Maternal mortality ratio in other countries

Related statistics for South Africa

All statistics for South Africa