Number of maternal deaths in Rwanda
Rwanda: Number of maternal deaths was 1,033 deaths in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Number of maternal deaths in Rwanda, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
In 2020, number of maternal deaths in Rwanda stood at 1,033 deaths. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
That represents a change of down 7.0% on the previous year and down 25.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in Rwanda peaked at 13,302 deaths in 1994 and was at its lowest, 1,033 deaths, in 2020.
Rwanda ranks 44th 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 Rwanda, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2,952 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 2,998 deaths | +1.6% |
| 1987 | 3,143 deaths | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 3,397 deaths | +8.1% |
| 1989 | 3,747 deaths | +10.3% |
| 1990 | 3,924 deaths | +4.7% |
| 1991 | 4,328 deaths | +10.3% |
| 1992 | 4,664 deaths | +7.8% |
| 1993 | 5,153 deaths | +10.5% |
| 1994 | 13,302 deaths | +158.2% |
| 1995 | 3,553 deaths | -73.3% |
| 1996 | 3,806 deaths | +7.1% |
| 1997 | 4,596 deaths | +20.8% |
| 1998 | 4,353 deaths | -5.3% |
| 1999 | 3,850 deaths | -11.6% |
| 2000 | 3,362 deaths | -12.7% |
| 2001 | 3,015 deaths | -10.3% |
| 2002 | 2,773 deaths | -8.0% |
| 2003 | 2,460 deaths | -11.3% |
| 2004 | 2,102 deaths | -14.6% |
| 2005 | 1,901 deaths | -9.5% |
| 2006 | 1,738 deaths | -8.6% |
| 2007 | 1,682 deaths | -3.2% |
| 2008 | 1,564 deaths | -7.0% |
| 2009 | 1,448 deaths | -7.4% |
| 2010 | 1,385 deaths | -4.4% |
| 2011 | 1,310 deaths | -5.4% |
| 2012 | 1,169 deaths | -10.7% |
| 2013 | 1,164 deaths | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 1,121 deaths | -3.8% |
| 2015 | 1,157 deaths | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 1,102 deaths | -4.7% |
| 2017 | 1,055 deaths | -4.3% |
| 2018 | 1,100 deaths | +4.3% |
| 2019 | 1,111 deaths | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 1,033 deaths | -7.0% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 1,033 deaths is below the median for low income countries, which is 2,151 deaths, 48% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 1,033 deaths is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1,625 deaths, 64% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Number of maternal deaths in Rwanda 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | +158.2% | 5,153 deaths | 13,302 deaths |
| 1995 | -73.3% | 13,302 deaths | 3,553 deaths |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 3,247 deaths | 2,952 deaths | 3,747 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 5,153 deaths | 3,553 deaths | 13,302 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,204 deaths | 1,448 deaths | 3,362 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,167 deaths | 1,055 deaths | 1,385 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,033 deaths | 1,033 deaths | 1,033 deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More health data for Rwanda
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.08 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.891 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 860.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 2,738 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.9441 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.065 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.9697 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths in Rwanda?
- Number of maternal deaths in Rwanda was 1,033 deaths in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 13,302 deaths in 1994.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,033 deaths in 2020.
- How does Rwanda rank for number of maternal deaths?
- Rwanda ranks 44th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda 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.