Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Least developed countries
Least developed countries: Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) was 289 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Maternal mortality ratio in Least developed countries, 1985–2023
Source: Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
Analysis
In 2023, maternal mortality ratio in Least developed countries stood at 289. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of down 2.7% on the previous year and down 35.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Least developed countries peaked at 1,070 in 1985 and was at its lowest, 289, in 2023.
That places Least developed countries 10th out of 47 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 39 years of available data.
Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Least developed countries, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1,070 | — |
| 1986 | 1,040 | -2.8% |
| 1987 | 1,070 | +2.9% |
| 1988 | 1,020 | -4.7% |
| 1989 | 993 | -2.6% |
| 1990 | 979 | -1.4% |
| 1991 | 959 | -2.0% |
| 1992 | 962 | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 937 | -2.6% |
| 1994 | 892 | -4.8% |
| 1995 | 836 | -6.3% |
| 1996 | 811 | -3.0% |
| 1997 | 781 | -3.7% |
| 1998 | 799 | +2.3% |
| 1999 | 708 | -11.4% |
| 2000 | 675 | -4.7% |
| 2001 | 646 | -4.3% |
| 2002 | 621 | -3.9% |
| 2003 | 592 | -4.7% |
| 2004 | 570 | -3.7% |
| 2005 | 555 | -2.6% |
| 2006 | 543 | -2.2% |
| 2007 | 537 | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 529 | -1.5% |
| 2009 | 517 | -2.3% |
| 2010 | 503 | -2.7% |
| 2011 | 484 | -3.8% |
| 2012 | 463 | -4.3% |
| 2013 | 447 | -3.5% |
| 2014 | 436 | -2.5% |
| 2015 | 421 | -3.4% |
| 2016 | 402 | -4.5% |
| 2017 | 382 | -5.0% |
| 2018 | 356 | -6.8% |
| 2019 | 342 | -3.9% |
| 2020 | 325 | -5.0% |
| 2021 | 344 | +5.8% |
| 2022 | 297 | -13.7% |
| 2023 | 289 | -2.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,039 | 993 | 1,070 | 5 |
| 1990s | 866.4 | 708 | 979 | 10 |
| 2000s | 578.5 | 517 | 675 | 10 |
| 2010s | 423.6 | 342 | 503 | 10 |
| 2020s | 313.75 | 289 | 344 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Least developed countries
- 7 Afghanistan 521 compare
- 8 Benin 518 compare
- 9 Guinea-Bissau 505 compare
- 10 Guinea 494 compare
- 11 Lesotho 478 compare
- 12 Madagascar 445 compare
- 13 Democratic Republic of Congo 427 compare
More health data for Least developed countries
- Population ages 30-34, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 40-44, female, annual growth rate 3.94 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per capita 0.0286 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, male, annual growth rate 2.37 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per capita 0.03 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 35-39, female, annual growth rate 2.32 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 30-34, male, per capita 0.0339 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 25-29, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Least developed countries?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Least developed countries was 289 in 2023, according to Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Least developed countries?
- The highest recorded value was 1,070 in 1985.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Least developed countries?
- The lowest recorded value was 289 in 2023.
- How does Least developed countries rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Least developed countries ranks 10th out of 47 groups with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Least developed countries?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Least developed countries 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).