Maternal mortality ratio in Japan
Japan: Maternal mortality ratio was 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births
Change on year
up 1.6%
World rank
176th
of 189 countries
All-time high
260 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 1935
All-time low
4.25 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 2019
Years of data
74
1935–2020
Maternal mortality ratio in Japan, 1935–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 live births.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality ratio in Japan is 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of up 1.6% on the previous year and down 23.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Japan peaked at 260 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1935 and was at its lowest, 4.25 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2019.
Japan ranks 176th 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 ratio in Japan, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | 260 deaths per 100,000 live births | — |
| 1940 | 240 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.7% |
| 1947 | 168 deaths per 100,000 live births | -30.0% |
| 1950 | 167.25 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.4% |
| 1951 | 164.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 1952 | 162 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.3% |
| 1953 | 171.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | +5.9% |
| 1954 | 175.02 deaths per 100,000 live births | +2.0% |
| 1955 | 170.21 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.7% |
| 1956 | 162.35 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.6% |
| 1957 | 162.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 1958 | 148.28 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.8% |
| 1959 | 140.24 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.4% |
| 1960 | 125.45 deaths per 100,000 live births | -10.5% |
| 1961 | 116.51 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.1% |
| 1962 | 109.09 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.4% |
| 1963 | 99.95 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.4% |
| 1964 | 96.26 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.7% |
| 1965 | 85.39 deaths per 100,000 live births | -11.3% |
| 1966 | 85.53 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 1967 | 69.06 deaths per 100,000 live births | -19.2% |
| 1968 | 66.59 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.6% |
| 1969 | 57.42 deaths per 100,000 live births | -13.8% |
| 1970 | 51.63 deaths per 100,000 live births | -10.1% |
| 1971 | 43.94 deaths per 100,000 live births | -14.9% |
| 1972 | 38.91 deaths per 100,000 live births | -11.4% |
| 1973 | 36.67 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.8% |
| 1974 | 33.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.9% |
| 1975 | 27.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | -16.2% |
| 1976 | 25.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.6% |
| 1977 | 22.74 deaths per 100,000 live births | -10.2% |
| 1978 | 21.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.4% |
| 1979 | 22.43 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 20.23 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.8% |
| 1981 | 19.26 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.8% |
| 1982 | 18.65 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.2% |
| 1983 | 15.79 deaths per 100,000 live births | -15.3% |
| 1984 | 15.66 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.8% |
| 1985 | 17.42 deaths per 100,000 live births | +11.3% |
| 1986 | 14.57 deaths per 100,000 live births | -16.4% |
| 1987 | 13.59 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.7% |
| 1988 | 13.36 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.7% |
| 1989 | 13.24 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.9% |
| 1990 | 12.95 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 1991 | 12.02 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.2% |
| 1992 | 11.68 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.8% |
| 1993 | 11.23 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.9% |
| 1994 | 10.27 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.6% |
| 1995 | 10.93 deaths per 100,000 live births | +6.5% |
| 1996 | 10.13 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.4% |
| 1997 | 9.96 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.7% |
| 1998 | 9.68 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.8% |
| 1999 | 9.27 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.3% |
| 2000 | 8.53 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.0% |
| 2001 | 8.17 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.2% |
| 2002 | 7.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.3% |
| 2003 | 7.58 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 2004 | 7.32 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.4% |
| 2005 | 7.18 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 2006 | 6.57 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2007 | 6.17 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.2% |
| 2008 | 6.01 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.5% |
| 2009 | 5.88 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 2010 | 5.66 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.8% |
| 2011 | 5.49 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.0% |
| 2012 | 5.3 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 5.14 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.1% |
| 2014 | 5.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 4.85 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.0% |
| 2016 | 4.87 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 5.06 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.9% |
| 2018 | 5.19 deaths per 100,000 live births | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 4.25 deaths per 100,000 live births | -18.2% |
| 2020 | 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.6% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births is below the median for high income countries, which is 7.61 deaths per 100,000 live births, 57% of the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Japan's 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 59.08 deaths per 100,000 live births, 7% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 260 deaths per 100,000 live births | 260 deaths per 100,000 live births | 260 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
| 1940s | 204 deaths per 100,000 live births | 168 deaths per 100,000 live births | 240 deaths per 100,000 live births | 2 |
| 1950s | 162.37 deaths per 100,000 live births | 140.24 deaths per 100,000 live births | 175.02 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1960s | 91.12 deaths per 100,000 live births | 57.42 deaths per 100,000 live births | 125.45 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1970s | 32.41 deaths per 100,000 live births | 21.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | 51.63 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 16.18 deaths per 100,000 live births | 13.24 deaths per 100,000 live births | 20.23 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.81 deaths per 100,000 live births | 9.27 deaths per 100,000 live births | 12.95 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.11 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5.88 deaths per 100,000 live births | 8.53 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.09 deaths per 100,000 live births | 4.25 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5.66 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 173 Slovenia 4.53 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 174 Sweden 4.51 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 175 Germany 4.43 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 177 Netherlands 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 178 Spain 3.44 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 179 Czechia 3.37 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
More health data for Japan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.73 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.2774 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,294 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 178 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -2.22 % 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 0.0155 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate -2.36 % 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 Japan?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Japan was 4.31 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 260 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1935.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.25 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2019.
- How does Japan rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Japan ranks 176th out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from UN MMEIG (2023) and other sources – with major processing 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
Estimated number of women who die from maternal conditions per 100,000 live births, based on data from death certificates, large-scale surveys, and statistical modeling.