Maternal mortality ratio in Brazil
Brazil: Maternal mortality ratio was 72.15 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality ratio in Brazil, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 live births.
Analysis
Brazil recorded 72.15 deaths per 100,000 live births for maternal mortality ratio in 2020.
The figure is up 18.8% on the previous year and up 13.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Brazil peaked at 227.03 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1985 and was at its lowest, 56.88 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2012.
That places Brazil 82nd out of 185 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 213.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | 198.27 deaths per 100,000 live births | 227.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5 |
| 1990s | 133.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | 74.08 deaths per 100,000 live births | 194.28 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 69.91 deaths per 100,000 live births | 67.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | 72.38 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 61.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | 56.88 deaths per 100,000 live births | 63.86 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 72.15 deaths per 100,000 live births | 72.15 deaths per 100,000 live births | 72.15 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
Countries ranked near Brazil
- 79 Colombia 74.76 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 80 Micronesia (country) 74.31 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 81 Saint Lucia 73.27 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 83 Libya 72.13 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 84 Morocco 71.85 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 85 Honduras 71.82 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
More health data for Brazil
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,496 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,476 deaths (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 0 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 0 deaths (2026)
- Age population, age 25, male, interpolated 1.64 million (2025)
- Age population, age 25, female, interpolated 1.60 million (2025)
- Age population, age 24, male, interpolated 1.61 million (2025)
- Age population, age 24, female, interpolated 1.58 million (2025)
- Age population, age 23, male, interpolated 1.59 million (2025)
- Age population, age 23, female, interpolated 1.55 million (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Brazil?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Brazil was 72.15 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 Brazil?
- The highest recorded value was 227.03 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1985.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Brazil?
- The lowest recorded value was 56.88 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2012.
- How does Brazil rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Brazil ranks 82nd out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Brazil?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Brazil 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.