Lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan
South Sudan: Lifetime risk of maternal death was 2.41 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan, 1985–2023
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan is 2.41, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
The figure is down 4.6% on the previous year and down 33.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan peaked at 35.89 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 2.41, in 2023.
That places South Sudan 8th out of 194 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 21.93 | — |
| 1986 | 21.38 | -2.5% |
| 1987 | 35.89 | +67.8% |
| 1988 | 29.08 | -19.0% |
| 1989 | 27.34 | -6.0% |
| 1990 | 25.89 | -5.3% |
| 1991 | 25.56 | -1.3% |
| 1992 | 34.62 | +35.5% |
| 1993 | 34.63 | +0.0% |
| 1994 | 10.92 | -68.5% |
| 1995 | 24.46 | +124.0% |
| 1996 | 24.18 | -1.2% |
| 1997 | 22.89 | -5.3% |
| 1998 | 33.53 | +46.5% |
| 1999 | 12.38 | -63.1% |
| 2000 | 10.1 | -18.4% |
| 2001 | 9.52 | -5.7% |
| 2002 | 9.08 | -4.6% |
| 2003 | 7.15 | -21.2% |
| 2004 | 6.67 | -6.6% |
| 2005 | 6.05 | -9.3% |
| 2006 | 5.49 | -9.2% |
| 2007 | 4.97 | -9.6% |
| 2008 | 4.48 | -9.8% |
| 2009 | 4.22 | -5.8% |
| 2010 | 3.84 | -9.0% |
| 2011 | 3.77 | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 3.64 | -3.7% |
| 2013 | 3.64 | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 5.61 | +54.2% |
| 2015 | 6.1 | +8.6% |
| 2016 | 6.86 | +12.4% |
| 2017 | 6.68 | -2.6% |
| 2018 | 3.43 | -48.7% |
| 2019 | 2.81 | -18.0% |
| 2020 | 2.71 | -3.5% |
| 2021 | 2.77 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 2.52 | -8.9% |
| 2023 | 2.41 | -4.6% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 2.41 is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.39, 1.7× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 2.41 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.08, 2.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +124.0% | 10.92 | 24.46 |
| 1987 | +67.8% | 21.38 | 35.89 |
| 1994 | -68.5% | 34.63 | 10.92 |
| 2014 | +54.2% | 3.64 | 5.61 |
| 1999 | -63.1% | 33.53 | 12.38 |
| 1998 | +46.5% | 22.89 | 33.53 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 27.12 | 21.38 | 35.89 | 5 |
| 1990s | 24.91 | 10.92 | 34.63 | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.77 | 4.22 | 10.1 | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.64 | 2.81 | 6.86 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.6 | 2.41 | 2.77 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More health data for South Sudan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.47 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.665 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 12,029 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 57 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.93 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0637 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0654 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan?
- Lifetime risk of maternal death in South Sudan was 2.41 in 2023, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest lifetime risk of maternal death recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 35.89 in 1987.
- What is the lowest lifetime risk of maternal death recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.41 in 2023.
- How does South Sudan rank for lifetime risk of maternal death?
- South Sudan ranks 8th out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is lifetime risk of maternal death rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Lifetime risk of maternal death. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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