Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in South Sudan
South Sudan: Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) was 692 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan, 1985–2023
Source: Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
Analysis
South Sudan recorded 692 for maternal mortality ratio in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 10.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan peaked at 8,045 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 692, in 2023.
South Sudan ranks 3rd of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 3,845 | — |
| 1986 | 3,720 | -3.3% |
| 1987 | 8,045 | +116.3% |
| 1988 | 5,535 | -31.2% |
| 1989 | 5,103 | -7.8% |
| 1990 | 4,877 | -4.4% |
| 1991 | 4,764 | -2.3% |
| 1992 | 7,597 | +59.5% |
| 1993 | 7,537 | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 1,666 | -77.9% |
| 1995 | 4,430 | +165.9% |
| 1996 | 4,357 | -1.6% |
| 1997 | 4,172 | -4.2% |
| 1998 | 7,514 | +80.1% |
| 1999 | 2,048 | -72.7% |
| 2000 | 1,658 | -19.0% |
| 2001 | 1,580 | -4.7% |
| 2002 | 1,521 | -3.7% |
| 2003 | 1,199 | -21.2% |
| 2004 | 1,150 | -4.1% |
| 2005 | 1,074 | -6.6% |
| 2006 | 1,005 | -6.4% |
| 2007 | 933 | -7.2% |
| 2008 | 858 | -8.0% |
| 2009 | 823 | -4.1% |
| 2010 | 776 | -5.7% |
| 2011 | 770 | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 755 | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 771 | +2.1% |
| 2014 | 1,216 | +57.7% |
| 2015 | 1,436 | +18.1% |
| 2016 | 1,629 | +13.4% |
| 2017 | 1,662 | +2.0% |
| 2018 | 913 | -45.1% |
| 2019 | 745 | -18.4% |
| 2020 | 729 | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 749 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 704 | -6.0% |
| 2023 | 692 | -1.7% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 692 is above the median for low income countries, which is 354, 2.0× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 692 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 257, 2.7× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Maternal mortality ratio (modeled estimate, per 100,000 live births) in South Sudan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +165.9% | 1,666 | 4,430 |
| 1987 | +116.3% | 3,720 | 8,045 |
| 1998 | +80.1% | 4,172 | 7,514 |
| 1994 | -77.9% | 7,537 | 1,666 |
| 1999 | -72.7% | 7,514 | 2,048 |
| 1992 | +59.5% | 4,764 | 7,597 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 5,250 | 3,720 | 8,045 | 5 |
| 1990s | 4,896 | 1,666 | 7,597 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,180 | 823 | 1,658 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,067 | 745 | 1,662 | 10 |
| 2020s | 718.5 | 692 | 749 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More health data for South Sudan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.47 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.665 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 12,029 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 57 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.93 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0637 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0654 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan?
- Maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan was 692 in 2023, according to Trends in Maternal Mortality, World Health Organization (WHO).
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 8,045 in 1987.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 692 in 2023.
- How does South Sudan rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- South Sudan ranks 3rd out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan 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.
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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).