Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) in South Africa
South Africa: Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) was 117.57 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in South Africa is 117.57, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 9.0% on the previous year and down 34.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in South Africa peaked at 283.42 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 117.57, in 2023.
That places South Africa 68th out of 212 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 174.75 | — |
| 2001 | 192.23 | +10.0% |
| 2002 | 225.21 | +17.2% |
| 2003 | 245 | +8.8% |
| 2004 | 258.88 | +5.7% |
| 2005 | 278.81 | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 283.42 | +1.7% |
| 2007 | 271.95 | -4.0% |
| 2008 | 271.63 | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 241.06 | -11.3% |
| 2010 | 226.06 | -6.2% |
| 2011 | 202.03 | -10.6% |
| 2012 | 193.81 | -4.1% |
| 2013 | 179.74 | -7.3% |
| 2014 | 162.14 | -9.8% |
| 2015 | 150.42 | -7.2% |
| 2016 | 141.17 | -6.1% |
| 2017 | 133.69 | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 127.52 | -4.6% |
| 2019 | 119.45 | -6.3% |
| 2020 | 118.29 | -1.0% |
| 2021 | 191.17 | +61.6% |
| 2022 | 129.23 | -32.4% |
| 2023 | 117.57 | -9.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 117.57 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 43.96, 2.7× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 117.57 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 258.23, 46% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) in South Africa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | +61.6% | 118.29 | 191.17 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 244.29 | 174.75 | 283.42 | 10 |
| 2010s | 163.6 | 119.45 | 226.06 | 10 |
| 2020s | 139.06 | 117.57 | 191.17 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 65 Solomon Islands 122.59 compare
- 66 Yemen 118.4 compare
- 67 Eswatini 117.93 compare
- 69 Bangladesh 115.11 compare
- 70 Lao People's Democratic Republic 112.15 compare
- 70 Laos 112.15 compare
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)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in South Africa?
- Maternal mortality ratio in South Africa was 117.57 in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 283.42 in 2006.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 117.57 in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- South Africa ranks 68th out of 212 countries with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Maternal mortality ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under UN SDG Global Database (open, attribution requested).