Maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa
South Africa: Maternal mortality, gaps filled was 126.83 in 2020. ▬ Flat
Maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa, 1985–2020
Source: Statizoid (derived).
Analysis
In 2020, maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa stood at 126.83.
That represents a change of up 7.2% on the previous year and down 42.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa peaked at 231.92 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 118.27, in 2019.
South Africa ranks 60th of 189 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 168.02 | — |
| 1986 | 162.41 | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 163.53 | +0.7% |
| 1988 | 151.37 | -7.4% |
| 1989 | 159.8 | +5.6% |
| 1990 | 150.3 | -5.9% |
| 1991 | 152.75 | +1.6% |
| 1992 | 142.72 | -6.6% |
| 1993 | 141.67 | -0.7% |
| 1994 | 136.32 | -3.8% |
| 1995 | 132.7 | -2.7% |
| 1996 | 160.38 | +20.9% |
| 1997 | 159.74 | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 149.84 | -6.2% |
| 1999 | 152.61 | +1.8% |
| 2000 | 173.02 | +13.4% |
| 2001 | 168.28 | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 193.37 | +14.9% |
| 2003 | 205.04 | +6.0% |
| 2004 | 231.92 | +13.1% |
| 2005 | 220.65 | -4.9% |
| 2006 | 208.3 | -5.6% |
| 2007 | 218.05 | +4.7% |
| 2008 | 215.58 | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 225.26 | +4.5% |
| 2010 | 219.06 | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 193.74 | -11.6% |
| 2012 | 164.41 | -15.1% |
| 2013 | 150.95 | -8.2% |
| 2014 | 141.22 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 141.16 | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 126.93 | -10.1% |
| 2017 | 133.44 | +5.1% |
| 2018 | 125.4 | -6.0% |
| 2019 | 118.27 | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 126.83 | +7.2% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 126.83 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 51.11, 2.5× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 126.83 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15, 37% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 161.03 | 151.37 | 168.02 | 5 |
| 1990s | 147.9 | 132.7 | 160.38 | 10 |
| 2000s | 205.95 | 168.28 | 231.92 | 10 |
| 2010s | 151.46 | 118.27 | 219.06 | 10 |
| 2020s | 126.83 | 126.83 | 126.83 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % 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 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa?
- Maternal mortality, gaps filled in South Africa was 126.83 in 2020, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest maternal mortality, gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 231.92 in 2004.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality, gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 118.27 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality, gaps filled?
- South Africa ranks 60th out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality, gaps filled rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 42.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Maternal mortality, gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
Maternal mortality with 85 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.
Computed from
- Maternal mortality Our World in Data
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
Maternal mortality with 85 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.