Number of maternal deaths in Namibia
Namibia: Number of maternal deaths was 148.1 deaths in 2020. ▲ Rising
Latest (2020)
148.1 deaths
Change on year
down 5.1%
World rank
76th
of 185 countries
All-time high
308.24 deaths
in 2010
All-time low
132.55 deaths
in 1989
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Number of maternal deaths in Namibia, 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 Namibia is 148.1 deaths, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 5.1% on the previous year and down 52.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in Namibia peaked at 308.24 deaths in 2010 and was at its lowest, 132.55 deaths, in 1989.
That places Namibia 76th out of 185 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 36 years of available data.
Number of maternal deaths in Namibia, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 137.94 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 138.2 deaths | +0.2% |
| 1987 | 136.87 deaths | -1.0% |
| 1988 | 143.22 deaths | +4.6% |
| 1989 | 132.55 deaths | -7.5% |
| 1990 | 146.28 deaths | +10.4% |
| 1991 | 159.26 deaths | +8.9% |
| 1992 | 171.67 deaths | +7.8% |
| 1993 | 173.73 deaths | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 183.95 deaths | +5.9% |
| 1995 | 184.69 deaths | +0.4% |
| 1996 | 196.2 deaths | +6.2% |
| 1997 | 207.02 deaths | +5.5% |
| 1998 | 224.63 deaths | +8.5% |
| 1999 | 236.73 deaths | +5.4% |
| 2000 | 256.66 deaths | +8.4% |
| 2001 | 251.94 deaths | -1.8% |
| 2002 | 250.04 deaths | -0.8% |
| 2003 | 252.54 deaths | +1.0% |
| 2004 | 225.03 deaths | -10.9% |
| 2005 | 238.8 deaths | +6.1% |
| 2006 | 243.78 deaths | +2.1% |
| 2007 | 251.99 deaths | +3.4% |
| 2008 | 264.1 deaths | +4.8% |
| 2009 | 284.81 deaths | +7.8% |
| 2010 | 308.24 deaths | +8.2% |
| 2011 | 273.3 deaths | -11.3% |
| 2012 | 242.53 deaths | -11.3% |
| 2013 | 227.05 deaths | -6.4% |
| 2014 | 211.33 deaths | -6.9% |
| 2015 | 209.3 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 172.4 deaths | -17.6% |
| 2017 | 159.54 deaths | -7.5% |
| 2018 | 152.57 deaths | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 156.07 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2020 | 148.1 deaths | -5.1% |
Namibia compared with similar countries
- Namibia's 148.1 deaths is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 485.35 deaths, 31% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Namibia's 148.1 deaths is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,625 deaths, 9% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 137.76 deaths | 132.55 deaths | 143.22 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 188.42 deaths | 146.28 deaths | 236.73 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 251.97 deaths | 225.03 deaths | 284.81 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 211.23 deaths | 152.57 deaths | 308.24 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 148.1 deaths | 148.1 deaths | 148.1 deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near Namibia
More health data for Namibia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.75 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6445 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,046 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 561 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2024)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.83 % 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 0.0644 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.56 % 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 Namibia?
- Number of maternal deaths in Namibia was 148.1 deaths in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in Namibia?
- The highest recorded value was 308.24 deaths in 2010.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in Namibia?
- The lowest recorded value was 132.55 deaths in 1989.
- How does Namibia rank for number of maternal deaths?
- Namibia ranks 76th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in Namibia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 52.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Namibia 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.