3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) in South Africa
South Africa: 3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) was 127 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
127
Change on year
up 7.4%
World rank
58th
of 184 countries
All-time high
231.92
in 2004
All-time low
118.27
in 2019
Years of data
21
2000–2020
3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
The most recent figure for 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in South Africa is 127, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 7.4% on the previous year and down 42.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in South Africa peaked at 231.92 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 118.27, in 2019.
South Africa ranks 58th of 184 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 21 years of available data.
3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 173.02 | — |
| 2001 | 168.28 | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 193.37 | +14.9% |
| 2003 | 205.04 | +6.0% |
| 2004 | 231.92 | +13.1% |
| 2005 | 220.65 | -4.9% |
| 2006 | 208.3 | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 218.05 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 215.58 | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 225.26 | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 219.06 | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 193.74 | -11.6% |
| 2012 | 164.41 | -15.1% |
| 2013 | 150.95 | -8.2% |
| 2014 | 141.22 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 141.16 | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 126.93 | -10.1% |
| 2017 | 133.44 | +5.1% |
| 2018 | 125.4 | -6.0% |
| 2019 | 118.27 | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 127 | +7.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 127 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 57, 2.2× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 127 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.5, 37% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 205.95 | 168.28 | 231.92 | 10 |
| 2010s | 151.46 | 118.27 | 219.06 | 10 |
| 2020s | 127 | 127 | 127 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in South Africa?
- 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in South Africa was 127 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 231.92 in 2004.
- What is the lowest 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 118.27 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio?
- South Africa ranks 58th out of 184 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).