Number of maternal deaths in China
China: Number of maternal deaths was 2,822 deaths in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
2,822 deaths
Change on year
down 5.5%
World rank
22nd
of 185 countries
All-time high
27,692 deaths
in 1985
All-time low
2,822 deaths
in 2020
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Number of maternal deaths in China, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of maternal deaths in China is 2,822 deaths, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is down 5.5% on the previous year and down 52.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in China peaked at 27,692 deaths in 1985 and was at its lowest, 2,822 deaths, in 2020.
China ranks 22nd of 185 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of maternal deaths in China, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 27,692 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 26,813 deaths | -3.2% |
| 1987 | 25,886 deaths | -3.5% |
| 1988 | 25,072 deaths | -3.1% |
| 1989 | 24,455 deaths | -2.5% |
| 1990 | 24,231 deaths | -0.9% |
| 1991 | 19,994 deaths | -17.5% |
| 1992 | 18,911 deaths | -5.4% |
| 1993 | 15,748 deaths | -16.7% |
| 1994 | 15,327 deaths | -2.7% |
| 1995 | 14,359 deaths | -6.3% |
| 1996 | 12,026 deaths | -16.3% |
| 1997 | 11,486 deaths | -4.5% |
| 1998 | 10,712 deaths | -6.7% |
| 1999 | 10,718 deaths | +0.1% |
| 2000 | 10,100 deaths | -5.8% |
| 2001 | 9,111 deaths | -9.8% |
| 2002 | 8,781 deaths | -3.6% |
| 2003 | 7,027 deaths | -20.0% |
| 2004 | 8,040 deaths | +14.4% |
| 2005 | 7,597 deaths | -5.5% |
| 2006 | 7,206 deaths | -5.2% |
| 2007 | 6,797 deaths | -5.7% |
| 2008 | 6,791 deaths | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 6,158 deaths | -9.3% |
| 2010 | 5,961 deaths | -3.2% |
| 2011 | 5,737 deaths | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 5,471 deaths | -4.6% |
| 2013 | 5,166 deaths | -5.6% |
| 2014 | 4,832 deaths | -6.5% |
| 2015 | 4,533 deaths | -6.2% |
| 2016 | 4,262 deaths | -6.0% |
| 2017 | 4,031 deaths | -5.4% |
| 2018 | 3,156 deaths | -21.7% |
| 2019 | 2,985 deaths | -5.4% |
| 2020 | 2,822 deaths | -5.5% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 2,822 deaths is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 56.07 deaths, 50.3× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- China's 2,822 deaths is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 32.48 deaths, 86.9× the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 25,984 deaths | 24,455 deaths | 27,692 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 15,351 deaths | 10,712 deaths | 24,231 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 7,761 deaths | 6,158 deaths | 10,100 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,613 deaths | 2,985 deaths | 5,961 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,822 deaths | 2,822 deaths | 2,822 deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near China
More health data for China
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.15 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.0985 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,029 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,642 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 10 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -8.22 % 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 0.0159 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -8.73 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths in China?
- Number of maternal deaths in China was 2,822 deaths in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 27,692 deaths in 1985.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,822 deaths in 2020.
- How does China rank for number of maternal deaths?
- China ranks 22nd out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of maternal deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of maternal deaths in a given year.