Maternal mortality ratio in Malawi
Malawi: Maternal mortality ratio was 224.95 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
224.95
Change on year
down 5.9%
World rank
37th
of 194 countries
All-time high
1,154
in 1988
All-time low
224.95
in 2023
Years of data
39
1985–2023
Maternal mortality ratio in Malawi, 1985–2023
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in Malawi is 224.95, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of down 5.9% on the previous year and down 45.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Malawi peaked at 1,154 in 1988 and was at its lowest, 224.95, in 2023.
Malawi ranks 37th 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 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 | 912.4 | -8.8% |
| 1995 | 782 | -14.3% |
| 1996 | 713.31 | -8.8% |
| 1997 | 672.28 | -5.8% |
| 1998 | 657.64 | -2.2% |
| 1999 | 575.54 | -12.5% |
| 2000 | 506.35 | -12.0% |
| 2001 | 446.77 | -11.8% |
| 2002 | 404.02 | -9.6% |
| 2003 | 345.69 | -14.4% |
| 2004 | 303.68 | -12.2% |
| 2005 | 283.46 | -6.7% |
| 2006 | 285.81 | +0.8% |
| 2007 | 333.04 | +16.5% |
| 2008 | 429.57 | +29.0% |
| 2009 | 511.69 | +19.1% |
| 2010 | 517 | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 486.06 | -6.0% |
| 2012 | 446.79 | -8.1% |
| 2013 | 410.13 | -8.2% |
| 2014 | 367.3 | -10.4% |
| 2015 | 353.83 | -3.7% |
| 2016 | 311.83 | -11.9% |
| 2017 | 283.86 | -9.0% |
| 2018 | 267.41 | -5.8% |
| 2019 | 259.55 | -2.9% |
| 2020 | 256.45 | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 285.7 | +11.4% |
| 2022 | 238.96 | -16.4% |
| 2023 | 224.95 | -5.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,129 | 1,115 | 1,154 | 5 |
| 1990s | 854.73 | 575.54 | 1,112 | 10 |
| 2000s | 385.01 | 283.46 | 511.69 | 10 |
| 2010s | 370.38 | 259.55 | 517 | 10 |
| 2020s | 251.51 | 224.95 | 285.7 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Malawi
- 34 Gabon 232.66 compare
- 35 Rwanda 229.48 compare
- 36 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 226.69 compare
- 38 Ethiopia 194.94 compare
- 39 Timor-Leste 192.36 compare
- 40 Papua New Guinea 188.65 compare
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)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates 856.3 (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 6,399 (2100)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, annual growth rate 2.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, female, per capita 0.0153 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, annual growth rate 2.36 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65 and above, male, per capita 0.0106 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Malawi?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Malawi was 224.95 in 2023, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- 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 224.95 in 2023.
- How does Malawi rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Malawi ranks 37th 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 45.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malawi data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Maternal mortality ratio (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-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO).