Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in Malawi
Malawi: Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) was 225 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality ratio in Malawi, 1985–2023
Source: Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in Malawi is 225, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
The figure is down 5.9% on the previous year and down 45.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Malawi peaked at 1,154 in 1988 and was at its lowest, 225, in 2023.
Malawi ranks 36th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 Malawi, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1,115 | — |
| 1986 | 1,118 | +0.3% |
| 1987 | 1,123 | +0.4% |
| 1988 | 1,154 | +2.8% |
| 1989 | 1,136 | -1.6% |
| 1990 | 1,112 | -2.1% |
| 1991 | 1,080 | -2.9% |
| 1992 | 1,042 | -3.5% |
| 1993 | 1,000 | -4.0% |
| 1994 | 912 | -8.8% |
| 1995 | 782 | -14.3% |
| 1996 | 713 | -8.8% |
| 1997 | 672 | -5.8% |
| 1998 | 658 | -2.1% |
| 1999 | 576 | -12.5% |
| 2000 | 506 | -12.2% |
| 2001 | 447 | -11.7% |
| 2002 | 404 | -9.6% |
| 2003 | 346 | -14.4% |
| 2004 | 304 | -12.1% |
| 2005 | 283 | -6.9% |
| 2006 | 286 | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 333 | +16.4% |
| 2008 | 430 | +29.1% |
| 2009 | 512 | +19.1% |
| 2010 | 517 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 486 | -6.0% |
| 2012 | 447 | -8.0% |
| 2013 | 410 | -8.3% |
| 2014 | 367 | -10.5% |
| 2015 | 354 | -3.5% |
| 2016 | 312 | -11.9% |
| 2017 | 284 | -9.0% |
| 2018 | 267 | -6.0% |
| 2019 | 260 | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 256 | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 286 | +11.7% |
| 2022 | 239 | -16.4% |
| 2023 | 225 | -5.9% |
Malawi compared with similar countries
- Malawi's 225 is below the median for low income countries, which is 354, 64% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Malawi's 225 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 257, 88% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,129 | 1,115 | 1,154 | 5 |
| 1990s | 854.7 | 576 | 1,112 | 10 |
| 2000s | 385.1 | 283 | 512 | 10 |
| 2010s | 370.4 | 260 | 517 | 10 |
| 2020s | 251.5 | 225 | 286 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
More health data for Malawi
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -0.8368 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.9312 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.61 % 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 0.0714 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.63 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0718 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Malawi?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Malawi was 225 in 2023, according to Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Malawi?
- The highest recorded value was 1,154 in 1988.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Malawi?
- The lowest recorded value was 225 in 2023.
- How does Malawi rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Malawi ranks 36th out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Malawi?
- Over the last ten years it is down 45.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi 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
CSV · JSON — 39 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
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).