Maternal mortality ratio in Portugal
Portugal: Maternal mortality ratio was 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births
Change on year
up 4.1%
World rank
143rd
of 189 countries
All-time high
154.65 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 1955
All-time low
8.69 deaths per 100,000 live births
in 2006
Years of data
66
1955–2020
Maternal mortality ratio in Portugal, 1955–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 live births.
Analysis
Portugal recorded 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for maternal mortality ratio in 2020.
The figure is up 4.1% on the previous year and up 19.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio in Portugal peaked at 154.65 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1955 and was at its lowest, 8.69 deaths per 100,000 live births, in 2006.
Portugal ranks 143rd 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 Portugal, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 live births | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 154.65 deaths per 100,000 live births | — |
| 1956 | 135.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | -12.7% |
| 1957 | 133.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.0% |
| 1958 | 120.75 deaths per 100,000 live births | -9.7% |
| 1959 | 123.09 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 114.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.6% |
| 1961 | 118.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.1% |
| 1962 | 117.81 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.6% |
| 1963 | 88.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | -24.7% |
| 1964 | 85.97 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.1% |
| 1965 | 86.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.2% |
| 1966 | 84.19 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.2% |
| 1967 | 83.62 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.7% |
| 1968 | 73.53 deaths per 100,000 live births | -12.1% |
| 1969 | 78.03 deaths per 100,000 live births | +6.1% |
| 1970 | 69.32 deaths per 100,000 live births | -11.2% |
| 1971 | 57.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | -17.6% |
| 1972 | 54.74 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.1% |
| 1973 | 59.01 deaths per 100,000 live births | +7.8% |
| 1974 | 47.74 deaths per 100,000 live births | -19.1% |
| 1975 | 42.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | -10.0% |
| 1976 | 44.33 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.2% |
| 1977 | 46.28 deaths per 100,000 live births | +4.4% |
| 1978 | 32.74 deaths per 100,000 live births | -29.3% |
| 1979 | 30.5 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.8% |
| 1980 | 19.63 deaths per 100,000 live births | -35.6% |
| 1981 | 19.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.7% |
| 1982 | 22.71 deaths per 100,000 live births | +18.9% |
| 1983 | 16.05 deaths per 100,000 live births | -29.3% |
| 1984 | 15.68 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.3% |
| 1985 | 15.58 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.6% |
| 1986 | 14.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.3% |
| 1987 | 15.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | +5.2% |
| 1988 | 14.72 deaths per 100,000 live births | -6.2% |
| 1989 | 15.1 deaths per 100,000 live births | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 14.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.8% |
| 1991 | 14.61 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 14.51 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.7% |
| 1993 | 12.23 deaths per 100,000 live births | -15.7% |
| 1994 | 11.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.1% |
| 1995 | 11.63 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.9% |
| 1996 | 11.4 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 11.34 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 10.35 deaths per 100,000 live births | -8.7% |
| 1999 | 9.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | -7.9% |
| 2000 | 10.82 deaths per 100,000 live births | +13.5% |
| 2001 | 9.49 deaths per 100,000 live births | -12.3% |
| 2002 | 9.07 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.4% |
| 2003 | 9 deaths per 100,000 live births | -0.8% |
| 2004 | 8.79 deaths per 100,000 live births | -2.3% |
| 2005 | 8.96 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 8.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 9.3 deaths per 100,000 live births | +7.0% |
| 2008 | 9.17 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.4% |
| 2009 | 9.83 deaths per 100,000 live births | +7.2% |
| 2010 | 9.9 deaths per 100,000 live births | +0.7% |
| 2011 | 9.49 deaths per 100,000 live births | -4.2% |
| 2012 | 10.35 deaths per 100,000 live births | +9.1% |
| 2013 | 8.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | -15.7% |
| 2014 | 8.81 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 10.4 deaths per 100,000 live births | +18.1% |
| 2016 | 10.55 deaths per 100,000 live births | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 11.17 deaths per 100,000 live births | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 10.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 11.33 deaths per 100,000 live births | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | +4.1% |
Portugal compared with similar countries
- Portugal's 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births is above the median for high income countries, which is 7.61 deaths per 100,000 live births, 1.6× the median. (59 countries reporting)
- Portugal's 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7.23 deaths per 100,000 live births, 1.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 133.44 deaths per 100,000 live births | 120.75 deaths per 100,000 live births | 154.65 deaths per 100,000 live births | 5 |
| 1960s | 93.15 deaths per 100,000 live births | 73.53 deaths per 100,000 live births | 118.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1970s | 48.47 deaths per 100,000 live births | 30.5 deaths per 100,000 live births | 69.32 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1980s | 16.92 deaths per 100,000 live births | 14.72 deaths per 100,000 live births | 22.71 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 1990s | 12.23 deaths per 100,000 live births | 9.54 deaths per 100,000 live births | 14.98 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2000s | 9.31 deaths per 100,000 live births | 8.69 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10.82 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2010s | 10.17 deaths per 100,000 live births | 8.73 deaths per 100,000 live births | 11.33 deaths per 100,000 live births | 10 |
| 2020s | 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births | 1 |
Countries ranked near Portugal
- 140 Russia 13.72 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 141 Kazakhstan 13.38 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 142 Moldova 12.26 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 144 Canada 11.01 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 145 Serbia 10.18 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
- 146 Romania 10.07 deaths per 100,000 live births compare
More health data for Portugal
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.56 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1616 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,112 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 38 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.39 % 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 0.0199 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.15 % 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 Portugal?
- Maternal mortality ratio in Portugal was 11.8 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 Portugal?
- The highest recorded value was 154.65 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1955.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio recorded in Portugal?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.69 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2006.
- How does Portugal rank for maternal mortality ratio?
- Portugal ranks 143rd out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality ratio rising or falling in Portugal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Portugal 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.