Maternal mortality in South Africa
South Africa: Maternal mortality was 126.83 in 2020. ▬ Flat
Latest (2020)
126.83
Change on year
up 7.2%
World rank
60th
of 189 countries
All-time high
231.92
in 2004
All-time low
118.27
in 2019
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Maternal mortality in South Africa, 1985–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
In 2020, maternal 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 in South Africa peaked at 231.92 in 2004 and was at its lowest, 118.27, in 2019.
That places South Africa 60th out of 189 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
Maternal mortality in South Africa, year by year
| 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% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 126.83 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 51.11, 2.5× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 126.83 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15, 37% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More health data for South Africa
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -2.2 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1386 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 3,333 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 0 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate -0.5504 % 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 0.045 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.0003 % 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 0.046 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality in South Africa?
- Maternal mortality in South Africa was 126.83 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest maternal mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 231.92 in 2004.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 118.27 in 2019.
- How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality?
- South Africa ranks 60th out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal 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. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).