Number of maternal deaths in China
China: Number of maternal deaths was 2,822 deaths in 2020. ◆ Volatile
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.
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
- 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)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 0 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 0 deaths (2026)
- Age population, age 25, male, interpolated 8.74 million (2025)
- Age population, age 25, female, interpolated 7.51 million (2025)
- Age population, age 24, male, interpolated 8.70 million (2025)
- Age population, age 24, female, interpolated 7.46 million (2025)
- Age population, age 23, male, interpolated 8.44 million (2025)
- Age population, age 23, female, interpolated 7.21 million (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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CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The estimated number of maternal deaths in a given year.