Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa

South Africa: Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality was 126.83 in 2020. ▬ Flat

Latest (2020)
126.83
Change on year
up 7.2%
World rank
59th
of 185 countries
All-time high
231.92
in 2004
All-time low
118.27
in 2019
Years of data
36
1985–2020

Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa, 1985–2020

0501001502002501985200220201985: 1681986: 162.41987: 163.51988: 151.41989: 159.81990: 150.31991: 152.71992: 142.71993: 141.71994: 136.31995: 132.71996: 160.41997: 159.71998: 149.81999: 152.62000: 1732001: 168.32002: 193.42003: 2052004: 231.92005: 220.62006: 208.32007: 218.12008: 215.62009: 225.32010: 219.12011: 193.72012: 164.42013: 1512014: 141.22015: 141.22016: 126.92017: 133.42018: 125.42019: 118.32020: 126.8

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

In 2020, maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa stood at 126.83.

That represents a change of up 7.2% on the previous year and down 42.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa peaked at 231.92 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 118.27, in 2019.

That places South Africa 59th out of 185 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.

Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa, 1985 to 2020.
Year Value Change
1985 168.02
1986 162.41 -3.3%
1987 163.53 +0.7%
1988 151.37 -7.4%
1989 159.8 +5.6%
1990 150.3 -5.9%
1991 152.75 +1.6%
1992 142.72 -6.6%
1993 141.67 -0.7%
1994 136.32 -3.8%
1995 132.7 -2.7%
1996 160.38 +20.9%
1997 159.74 -0.4%
1998 149.84 -6.2%
1999 152.61 +1.8%
2000 173.02 +13.4%
2001 168.28 -2.7%
2002 193.37 +14.9%
2003 205.04 +6.0%
2004 231.92 +13.1%
2005 220.65 -4.9%
2006 208.3 -5.6%
2007 218.05 +4.7%
2008 215.58 -1.1%
2009 225.26 +4.5%
2010 219.06 -2.8%
2011 193.74 -11.6%
2012 164.41 -15.1%
2013 150.95 -8.2%
2014 141.22 -6.4%
2015 141.16 -0.0%
2016 126.93 -10.1%
2017 133.44 +5.1%
2018 125.4 -6.0%
2019 118.27 -5.7%
2020 126.83 +7.2%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 161.03 151.37 168.02 5
1990s 147.9 132.7 160.38 10
2000s 205.95 168.28 231.92 10
2010s 151.46 118.27 219.06 10
2020s 126.83 126.83 126.83 1

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 56 Zambia 134.66 compare
  2. 57 Belize 129.79 compare
  3. 58 Mozambique 127.11 compare
  4. 60 Lao People's Democratic Republic 126.06 compare
  5. 61 Tonga 125.64 compare
  6. 62 Bangladesh 123.03 compare

See the full ranking of 185 places →

More health data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa?
Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa was 126.83 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 231.92 in 2004.
What is the lowest maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 118.27 in 2019.
How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality?
South Africa ranks 59th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
Is maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 42.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/maternal-mortality-vs-neonatal-mortality/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Maternal mortality vs neonatal mortality
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
185 places, 6,660 data points, 1985–2020
Last refreshed