Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) in Western Africa
Western Africa: Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) was 691.11 per 100,000 live births in 2023. ▼ Falling
Maternal mortality ratio in Western Africa, 2000–2023
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database. Measured in per 100,000 live births.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in Western Africa is 691.11 per 100,000 live births, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 24 years on record.
The figure is down 3.0% on the previous year and down 18.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Western Africa peaked at 911.52 per 100,000 live births in 2000 and was at its lowest, 691.11 per 100,000 live births, in 2023.
That places Western Africa 1st out of 36 groups with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 24 years of available data.
Maternal mortality ratio (United Nations) in Western Africa, year by year
| Year | per 100,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 911.52 per 100,000 live births | — |
| 2001 | 903.06 per 100,000 live births | -0.9% |
| 2002 | 891.57 per 100,000 live births | -1.3% |
| 2003 | 870.74 per 100,000 live births | -2.3% |
| 2004 | 854.61 per 100,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 2005 | 841.98 per 100,000 live births | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 843.58 per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 2007 | 837.83 per 100,000 live births | -0.7% |
| 2008 | 843.88 per 100,000 live births | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 845.92 per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 846.3 per 100,000 live births | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 844.91 per 100,000 live births | -0.2% |
| 2012 | 846.27 per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 848.23 per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 2014 | 845.19 per 100,000 live births | -0.4% |
| 2015 | 842.43 per 100,000 live births | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 824.29 per 100,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 2017 | 809.58 per 100,000 live births | -1.8% |
| 2018 | 789.22 per 100,000 live births | -2.5% |
| 2019 | 763.6 per 100,000 live births | -3.2% |
| 2020 | 747.6 per 100,000 live births | -2.1% |
| 2021 | 744.55 per 100,000 live births | -0.4% |
| 2022 | 712.49 per 100,000 live births | -4.3% |
| 2023 | 691.11 per 100,000 live births | -3.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 864.47 per 100,000 live births | 837.83 per 100,000 live births | 911.52 per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 826 per 100,000 live births | 763.6 per 100,000 live births | 848.23 per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 723.94 per 100,000 live births | 691.11 per 100,000 live births | 747.6 per 100,000 live births | 4 |
Countries ranked near Western Africa
- 1 Nigeria 992.83 per 100,000 live births compare
- 2 Chad 747.54 per 100,000 live births compare
- 3 South Sudan 691.82 per 100,000 live births compare
- 4 Central African Republic 691.74 per 100,000 live births compare
More health data for Western Africa
- Tuberculosis incidence 164 per 100,000 people (2024)
- Total official development assistance to medical research and basic 2,214 million constant US$ (2024)
- Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel 64.5% (2025)
- Malaria incidence per 1,000 population at risk 275.15 per 1,000 people (2024)
- Total official development assistance to medical research and basic 2,117 million constant US$ (2024)
- Age-standardized prevalence of current tobacco use among persons aged 4.9% (2024)
- International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity, by type of IHR 47.0% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Western Africa?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Western Africa was 691.11 per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Western Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 911.52 per 100,000 live births in 2000.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Western Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 691.11 per 100,000 live births in 2023.
- How does Western Africa rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Western Africa ranks 1st out of 36 groups with data for 2023.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Western Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Western 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
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