Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa
South Africa: Maternal mortality ratio was 109.6 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa, 2006–2022
Source: Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), World Health Organization (WHO), note: The country data compiled, adjusted and used in the estimation model by the Maternal Mortality Estimati.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in South Africa is 109.6, measured in 2022.
That represents a change of down 26.0% on the previous year and down 76.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in South Africa peaked at 702 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 98.82, in 2019.
That places South Africa 16th out of 58 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 702 | — |
| 2016 | 475 | -32.3% |
| 2017 | 125.89 | -73.5% |
| 2018 | 117.69 | -6.5% |
| 2019 | 98.82 | -16.0% |
| 2020 | 126.06 | +27.6% |
| 2021 | 148.1 | +17.5% |
| 2022 | 109.6 | -26.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 702 | 702 | 702 | 1 |
| 2010s | 204.35 | 98.82 | 475 | 4 |
| 2020s | 127.92 | 109.6 | 148.1 | 3 |
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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 05-09, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, female, per capita 0.0424 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, annual growth rate 2.82 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per capita 0.0426 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, female, annual growth rate -0.9299 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in South Africa?
- Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa was 109.6 in 2022, according to Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), World Health Organization (WHO), note: The country data compiled, adjusted and used in the estimation model by the Maternal Mortality Estimati.
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 702 in 2006.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 98.82 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- South Africa ranks 16th out of 58 countries with data for 2022.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 76.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), World Health Organization (WHO), note: The country data compiled, adjusted and used in the estimation model by the Maternal Mortality Estimati, published as part of Maternal mortality ratio (national 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.