Maternal mortality ratio (UN MMEIG) in South Sudan
South Sudan: Maternal mortality ratio (UN MMEIG) was 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births
Change on year
down 1.8%
World rank
1st
of 185 countries
All-time high
6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 1987
All-time low
1,060 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 2010
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 live births.
Analysis
South Sudan recorded 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births for maternal mortality ratio in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.8% on the previous year and up 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in South Sudan peaked at 6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 and was at its lowest, 1,060 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2010.
That places South Sudan 1st out of 185 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Maternal mortality ratio (UN MMEIG) in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 3,292 deaths per 100,000 live births | — |
| 1986 | 3,279 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.4% |
| 1987 | 6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births | +106.6% |
| 1988 | 4,786 deaths per 100,000 live births | -29.3% |
| 1989 | 4,184 deaths per 100,000 live births | -12.6% |
| 1990 | 4,141 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.0% |
| 1991 | 4,133 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 6,528 deaths per 100,000 live births | +58.0% |
| 1993 | 6,591 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.0% |
| 1994 | 1,673 deaths per 100,000 live births | -74.6% |
| 1995 | 4,106 deaths per 100,000 live births | +145.5% |
| 1996 | 4,023 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 3,838 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 6,482 deaths per 100,000 live births | +68.9% |
| 1999 | 2,028 deaths per 100,000 live births | -68.7% |
| 2000 | 1,687 deaths per 100,000 live births | -16.9% |
| 2001 | 1,654 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 2002 | 1,668 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 1,404 deaths per 100,000 live births | -15.8% |
| 2004 | 1,372 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 1,332 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 1,301 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.3% |
| 2007 | 1,187 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.8% |
| 2008 | 1,138 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.1% |
| 2009 | 1,118 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 1,060 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.2% |
| 2011 | 1,062 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 1,067 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 1,131 deaths per 100,000 live births | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 1,172 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 1,225 deaths per 100,000 live births | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 1,288 deaths per 100,000 live births | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 1,252 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 1,275 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 1,245 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.8% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births is above the median for low income countries, which is 440.23 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15 deaths per 100,000 live births, 3.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Maternal mortality ratio (UN MMEIG) 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 | +145.5% | 1,673 deaths per 100,000 live births | 4,106 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 1987 | +106.6% | 3,279 deaths per 100,000 live births | 6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 1994 | -74.6% | 6,591 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,673 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 1998 | +68.9% | 3,838 deaths per 100,000 live births | 6,482 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 1999 | -68.7% | 6,482 deaths per 100,000 live births | 2,028 deaths per 100,000 live births |
| 1992 | +58.0% | 4,133 deaths per 100,000 live births | 6,528 deaths per 100,000 live births |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,463 deaths per 100,000 live births | 3,279 deaths per 100,000 live births | 6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5 |
| 1990s | 4,354 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,673 deaths per 100,000 live births | 6,591 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,386 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,118 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,687 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,178 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,060 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,288 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
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 1,223 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 6,775 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,060 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010.
- How does South Sudan rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- South Sudan ranks 1st out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Maternal mortality ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The estimated maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.