Maternal mortality in France
France: Maternal mortality was 7.91 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
7.91
Change on year
up 2.3%
World rank
153rd
of 189 countries
All-time high
88.71
in 1951
All-time low
7.55
in 2017
Years of data
71
1950–2020
Maternal mortality in France, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
France recorded 7.91 for maternal mortality in 2020.
That represents a change of up 2.3% on the previous year and down 14.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality in France peaked at 88.71 in 1951 and was at its lowest, 7.55, in 2017.
France ranks 153rd of 189 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Maternal mortality in France, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 85.29 | — |
| 1951 | 88.71 | +4.0% |
| 1952 | 75.34 | -15.1% |
| 1953 | 70.95 | -5.8% |
| 1954 | 66.58 | -6.2% |
| 1955 | 59.5 | -10.6% |
| 1956 | 53.79 | -9.6% |
| 1957 | 56.15 | +4.4% |
| 1958 | 54.33 | -3.2% |
| 1959 | 54.01 | -0.6% |
| 1960 | 50.87 | -5.8% |
| 1961 | 44.35 | -12.8% |
| 1962 | 42.53 | -4.1% |
| 1963 | 38.64 | -9.1% |
| 1964 | 32.94 | -14.8% |
| 1965 | 32.52 | -1.3% |
| 1966 | 31.26 | -3.9% |
| 1967 | 32.25 | +3.2% |
| 1968 | 29.16 | -9.6% |
| 1969 | 25.05 | -14.1% |
| 1970 | 28.16 | +12.4% |
| 1971 | 22.14 | -21.4% |
| 1972 | 25.23 | +14.0% |
| 1973 | 23.93 | -5.2% |
| 1974 | 21.97 | -8.2% |
| 1975 | 19.78 | -10.0% |
| 1976 | 17.49 | -11.6% |
| 1977 | 15.68 | -10.3% |
| 1978 | 15.41 | -1.7% |
| 1979 | 11.97 | -22.3% |
| 1980 | 12.84 | +7.3% |
| 1981 | 15.51 | +20.8% |
| 1982 | 13.77 | -11.2% |
| 1983 | 15.04 | +9.2% |
| 1984 | 14.14 | -6.0% |
| 1985 | 18.32 | +29.5% |
| 1986 | 17.72 | -3.2% |
| 1987 | 17.36 | -2.0% |
| 1988 | 17.31 | -0.3% |
| 1989 | 14.92 | -13.8% |
| 1990 | 14.43 | -3.3% |
| 1991 | 14.67 | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 14.92 | +1.7% |
| 1993 | 15.47 | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 14.77 | -4.5% |
| 1995 | 14.18 | -4.0% |
| 1996 | 13.04 | -8.0% |
| 1997 | 11.69 | -10.3% |
| 1998 | 10.62 | -9.2% |
| 1999 | 10.11 | -4.8% |
| 2000 | 9.36 | -7.4% |
| 2001 | 9.31 | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 9.34 | +0.4% |
| 2003 | 9.2 | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 8.88 | -3.5% |
| 2005 | 8.79 | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 9.84 | +12.0% |
| 2007 | 8.43 | -14.4% |
| 2008 | 9.76 | +15.8% |
| 2009 | 9.79 | +0.3% |
| 2010 | 9.26 | -5.5% |
| 2011 | 9.2 | -0.6% |
| 2012 | 8.97 | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 8.81 | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 8.68 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 7.6 | -12.5% |
| 2016 | 7.64 | +0.6% |
| 2017 | 7.55 | -1.2% |
| 2018 | 7.8 | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 7.73 | -0.9% |
| 2020 | 7.91 | +2.3% |
France compared with similar countries
- France's 7.91 is above the median for high income countries, which is 7.61, 1.0× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- France's 7.91 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.23, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 66.46 | 53.79 | 88.71 | 10 |
| 1960s | 35.96 | 25.05 | 50.87 | 10 |
| 1970s | 20.17 | 11.97 | 28.16 | 10 |
| 1980s | 15.69 | 12.84 | 18.32 | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.39 | 10.11 | 15.47 | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.27 | 8.43 | 9.84 | 10 |
| 2010s | 8.32 | 7.55 | 9.26 | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.91 | 7.91 | 7.91 | 1 |
Countries ranked near France
More health data for France
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.0689 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 603 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2024)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.7875 % 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 0.0244 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -0.8291 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0255 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality in France?
- Maternal mortality in France was 7.91 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest maternal mortality recorded in France?
- The highest recorded value was 88.71 in 1951.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality recorded in France?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.55 in 2017.
- How does France rank for maternal mortality?
- France ranks 153rd out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality rising or falling in France?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this France data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Maternal mortality. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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