3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) in Zambia
Zambia: 3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births) was 135 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
135
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
56th
of 184 countries
All-time high
418.69
in 2000
All-time low
128.84
in 2019
Years of data
21
2000–2020
3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 135 for 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in 2020.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and down 49.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in Zambia peaked at 418.69 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 128.84, in 2019.
That places Zambia 56th out of 184 countries with data for 2020, putting it 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 Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 418.69 | — |
| 2001 | 362.62 | -13.4% |
| 2002 | 337.08 | -7.0% |
| 2003 | 308.19 | -8.6% |
| 2004 | 311.69 | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 309.25 | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 306.09 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 295.85 | -3.3% |
| 2008 | 319.58 | +8.0% |
| 2009 | 326.59 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 268.49 | -17.8% |
| 2011 | 232.77 | -13.3% |
| 2012 | 220.63 | -5.2% |
| 2013 | 191.35 | -13.3% |
| 2014 | 168.84 | -11.8% |
| 2015 | 165.73 | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 155.36 | -6.3% |
| 2017 | 155.82 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 144.87 | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 128.84 | -11.1% |
| 2020 | 135 | +4.8% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 135 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 192, 70% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 135 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.5, 40% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 329.57 | 295.85 | 418.69 | 10 |
| 2010s | 183.27 | 128.84 | 268.49 | 10 |
| 2020s | 135 | 135 | 135 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 53 Bolivia 161 compare
- 54 Pakistan 154 compare
- 55 Sao Tome and Principe 146 compare
- 57 Belize 130 compare
- 58 Mozambique 127 compare
- 58 South Africa 127 compare
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 8,894 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0744 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in Zambia?
- 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio in Zambia was 135 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 418.69 in 2000.
- What is the lowest 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 128.84 in 2019.
- How does Zambia rank for 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio?
- Zambia ranks 56th out of 184 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 3.1.1 maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia 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).