Maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique
Mozambique: Maternal mortality ratio was 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births
Change on year
down 15.2%
World rank
59th
of 189 countries
All-time high
1,240 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 1985
All-time low
127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 2020
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique, 1985–2020
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 Mozambique is 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is down 15.2% on the previous year and down 60.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique peaked at 1,240 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1985 and was at its lowest, 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2020.
That places Mozambique 59th out of 189 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.
Maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 1,240 deaths per 100,000 live births | — |
| 1986 | 1,140 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.1% |
| 1987 | 1,104 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.2% |
| 1988 | 1,032 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.6% |
| 1989 | 997.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.3% |
| 1990 | 927.48 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.0% |
| 1991 | 909.49 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.9% |
| 1992 | 891.42 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 1993 | 870.22 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.4% |
| 1994 | 865.24 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.6% |
| 1995 | 828.58 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.2% |
| 1996 | 750 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.5% |
| 1997 | 713.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.9% |
| 1998 | 638.94 deaths per 100,000 live births | -10.5% |
| 1999 | 582.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.8% |
| 2000 | 532.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.7% |
| 2001 | 500.75 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.9% |
| 2002 | 460.74 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.0% |
| 2003 | 441.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.2% |
| 2004 | 419.91 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.9% |
| 2005 | 403.93 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.8% |
| 2006 | 389.58 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.6% |
| 2007 | 378.87 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.8% |
| 2008 | 374.21 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.2% |
| 2009 | 355.12 deaths per 100,000 live births | -5.1% |
| 2010 | 321.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.5% |
| 2011 | 296.37 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.8% |
| 2012 | 271.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.5% |
| 2013 | 240.91 deaths per 100,000 live births | -11.2% |
| 2014 | 241.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 225.89 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.3% |
| 2016 | 193.99 deaths per 100,000 live births | -14.1% |
| 2017 | 177.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.6% |
| 2018 | 160.26 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 149.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.5% |
| 2020 | 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births | -15.2% |
Mozambique compared with similar countries
- Mozambique's 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births is below the median for low income countries, which is 440.23 deaths per 100,000 live births, 29% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Mozambique's 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15 deaths per 100,000 live births, 37% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,103 deaths per 100,000 live births | 997.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1,240 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5 |
| 1990s | 797.78 deaths per 100,000 live births | 582.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | 927.48 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 425.68 deaths per 100,000 live births | 355.12 deaths per 100,000 live births | 532.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 227.85 deaths per 100,000 live births | 149.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | 321.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births | 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births | 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
Countries ranked near Mozambique
- 56 Sao Tome and Principe 146.24 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 57 Zambia 134.66 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 58 Belize 129.79 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 60 South Africa 126.83 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 61 Laos 126.06 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 62 Tonga 125.64 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
More health data for Mozambique
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.85 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.16 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 869.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 18,288 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 139 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0823 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.92 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Mozambique was 127.11 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 Mozambique?
- The highest recorded value was 1,240 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1985.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Mozambique?
- The lowest recorded value was 127.11 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020.
- How does Mozambique rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Mozambique ranks 59th out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Mozambique?
- Over the last ten years it is down 60.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Mozambique 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.