Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia

Zambia: Maternal mortality ratio was 85.45 in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
85.45
Change on year
down 4.5%
World rank
69th
of 194 countries
All-time high
635.36
in 1989
All-time low
85.45
in 2023
Years of data
39
1985–2023

Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia, 1985–2023

02004006001985200420231985: 595.91986: 618.61987: 629.71988: 635.31989: 635.41990: 6251991: 611.41992: 5811993: 531.91994: 507.31995: 465.61996: 432.71997: 403.11998: 391.91999: 377.92000: 340.22001: 305.62002: 273.72003: 249.92004: 259.62005: 263.72006: 262.22007: 323.92008: 393.62009: 406.42010: 331.72011: 291.12012: 255.92013: 213.32014: 173.72015: 154.42016: 158.12017: 141.42018: 117.22019: 102.82020: 98.62021: 140.12022: 89.52023: 85.5

Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.

Analysis

Zambia recorded 85.45 for maternal mortality ratio in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.

The figure is down 4.5% on the previous year and down 59.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Zambia peaked at 635.36 in 1989 and was at its lowest, 85.45, in 2023.

That places Zambia 69th out of 194 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia, year by year

Annual values for Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births) in Zambia, 1985 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1985 595.92
1986 618.65 +3.8%
1987 629.66 +1.8%
1988 635.27 +0.9%
1989 635.36 +0.0%
1990 625.01 -1.6%
1991 611.36 -2.2%
1992 580.96 -5.0%
1993 531.92 -8.4%
1994 507.26 -4.6%
1995 465.6 -8.2%
1996 432.68 -7.1%
1997 403.09 -6.8%
1998 391.95 -2.8%
1999 377.91 -3.6%
2000 340.18 -10.0%
2001 305.62 -10.2%
2002 273.72 -10.4%
2003 249.85 -8.7%
2004 259.57 +3.9%
2005 263.72 +1.6%
2006 262.2 -0.6%
2007 323.86 +23.5%
2008 393.55 +21.5%
2009 406.35 +3.3%
2010 331.67 -18.4%
2011 291.14 -12.2%
2012 255.91 -12.1%
2013 213.32 -16.6%
2014 173.69 -18.6%
2015 154.41 -11.1%
2016 158.09 +2.4%
2017 141.4 -10.6%
2018 117.17 -17.1%
2019 102.75 -12.3%
2020 98.63 -4.0%
2021 140.14 +42.1%
2022 89.45 -36.2%
2023 85.45 -4.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 622.97 595.92 635.36 5
1990s 492.77 377.91 625.01 10
2000s 307.86 249.85 406.35 10
2010s 193.96 102.75 331.67 10
2020s 103.42 85.45 140.14 4

Countries ranked near Zambia

  1. 66 Vanuatu 100.05 compare
  2. 67 Guatemala 93.72 compare
  3. 68 Palau 89.42 compare
  4. 70 Philippines 83.75 compare
  5. 71 Mozambique 82.22 compare
  6. 72 India 80.48 compare

See the full ranking of 202 places →

More health data for Zambia

All data for Zambia →

Frequently asked questions

What is maternal mortality ratio in Zambia?
Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia was 85.45 in 2023, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Zambia?
The highest recorded value was 635.36 in 1989.
What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Zambia?
The lowest recorded value was 85.45 in 2023.
How does Zambia rank for maternal mortality ratio?
Zambia ranks 69th out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Zambia?
Over the last ten years it is down 59.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Zambia 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.

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Maternal mortality ratio in Zambia. Statizoid, drawing on World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory. Retrieved 28 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/maternal-mortality-ratio-per-100-000-live-births/zambia/

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About this data

Indicator
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births)
Source
World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory
Licence
CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO (WHO)
Coverage
202 places, 7,878 data points, 1985–2023
Last refreshed