Number of maternal deaths in South Korea
South Korea: Number of maternal deaths was 23.86 deaths in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Number of maternal deaths in South Korea, 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 South Korea is 23.86 deaths, measured in 2020.
The figure is up 22.6% on the previous year and down 36.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in South Korea peaked at 279.3 deaths in 1985 and was at its lowest, 19.46 deaths, in 2019.
South Korea ranks 111th of 185 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of maternal deaths in South Korea, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 279.3 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 268.52 deaths | -3.9% |
| 1987 | 267.52 deaths | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 244.71 deaths | -8.5% |
| 1989 | 230.37 deaths | -5.9% |
| 1990 | 213.1 deaths | -7.5% |
| 1991 | 201.99 deaths | -5.2% |
| 1992 | 188.69 deaths | -6.6% |
| 1993 | 182.64 deaths | -3.2% |
| 1994 | 150.94 deaths | -17.4% |
| 1995 | 145.53 deaths | -3.6% |
| 1996 | 140.84 deaths | -3.2% |
| 1997 | 131.61 deaths | -6.6% |
| 1998 | 124.11 deaths | -5.7% |
| 1999 | 116.29 deaths | -6.3% |
| 2000 | 91.07 deaths | -21.7% |
| 2001 | 82.24 deaths | -9.7% |
| 2002 | 79.95 deaths | -2.8% |
| 2003 | 62.06 deaths | -22.4% |
| 2004 | 57.73 deaths | -7.0% |
| 2005 | 53.72 deaths | -6.9% |
| 2006 | 49.21 deaths | -8.4% |
| 2007 | 46.55 deaths | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 42.23 deaths | -9.3% |
| 2009 | 39.07 deaths | -7.5% |
| 2010 | 37.32 deaths | -4.5% |
| 2011 | 44.08 deaths | +18.1% |
| 2012 | 42.04 deaths | -4.6% |
| 2013 | 30.58 deaths | -27.3% |
| 2014 | 27.77 deaths | -9.2% |
| 2015 | 26.43 deaths | -4.8% |
| 2016 | 24.34 deaths | -7.9% |
| 2017 | 22.33 deaths | -8.3% |
| 2018 | 21.09 deaths | -5.5% |
| 2019 | 19.46 deaths | -7.7% |
| 2020 | 23.86 deaths | +22.6% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 23.86 deaths is above the median for high income countries, which is 5.26 deaths, 4.5× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 23.86 deaths is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 32.48 deaths, 73% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Number of maternal deaths in South Korea 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | -27.3% | 42.04 deaths | 30.58 deaths |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 258.08 deaths | 230.37 deaths | 279.3 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 159.57 deaths | 116.29 deaths | 213.1 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 60.38 deaths | 39.07 deaths | 91.07 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 29.54 deaths | 19.46 deaths | 44.08 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 23.86 deaths | 23.86 deaths | 23.86 deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More health data for South Korea
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.43 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.1935 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 2,072 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 69 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.66 % 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 0.0118 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.76 % 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 South Korea?
- Number of maternal deaths in South Korea was 23.86 deaths in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 279.3 deaths in 1985.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.46 deaths in 2019.
- How does South Korea rank for number of maternal deaths?
- South Korea ranks 111th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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.