Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Iran
Iran: Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) was 16 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality ratio in Iran, 1985–2023
Source: Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
Analysis
Iran recorded 16 for maternal mortality ratio in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of down 23.8% on the previous year and down 33.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Iran peaked at 160 in 1985 and was at its lowest, 16, in 2023.
That places Iran 131st out of 194 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 160 | — |
| 1986 | 148 | -7.5% |
| 1987 | 136 | -8.1% |
| 1988 | 126 | -7.4% |
| 1989 | 113 | -10.3% |
| 1990 | 107 | -5.3% |
| 1991 | 94 | -12.1% |
| 1992 | 86 | -8.5% |
| 1993 | 80 | -7.0% |
| 1994 | 71 | -11.2% |
| 1995 | 65 | -8.5% |
| 1996 | 59 | -9.2% |
| 1997 | 55 | -6.8% |
| 1998 | 50 | -9.1% |
| 1999 | 46 | -8.0% |
| 2000 | 43 | -6.5% |
| 2001 | 40 | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 38 | -5.0% |
| 2003 | 37 | -2.6% |
| 2004 | 34 | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 33 | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 32 | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 31 | -3.1% |
| 2008 | 30 | -3.2% |
| 2009 | 28 | -6.7% |
| 2010 | 27 | -3.6% |
| 2011 | 26 | -3.7% |
| 2012 | 25 | -3.8% |
| 2013 | 24 | -4.0% |
| 2014 | 23 | -4.2% |
| 2015 | 22 | -4.3% |
| 2016 | 21 | -4.5% |
| 2017 | 20 | -4.8% |
| 2018 | 19 | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 18 | -5.3% |
| 2020 | 34 | +88.9% |
| 2021 | 51 | +50.0% |
| 2022 | 21 | -58.8% |
| 2023 | 16 | -23.8% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 16 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 43, 37% of the median. (58 countries reporting)
- Iran's 16 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 17, 94% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +88.9% | 18 | 34 |
| 2021 | +50.0% | 34 | 51 |
| 2022 | -58.8% | 51 | 21 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 136.6 | 113 | 160 | 5 |
| 1990s | 71.3 | 46 | 107 | 10 |
| 2000s | 34.6 | 28 | 43 | 10 |
| 2010s | 22.5 | 18 | 27 | 10 |
| 2020s | 30.5 | 16 | 51 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More health data for Iran
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.38 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.5627 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 1,070 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -1.88 % 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 0.0311 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -1.95 % 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 0.0327 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Iran?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Iran was 16 in 2023, according to Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 160 in 1985.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 16 in 2023.
- How does Iran rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Iran ranks 131st out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 33.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran data come from?
- The figures come from Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO), published as part of Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of pregnancy termination per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on the proportion of maternal deaths among non-AIDS deaths in women ages 15-49, fertility, birth attendants, and GDP measured using purchasing power parities (PPPs).