Maternal mortality in South Sudan
South Sudan: Maternal mortality was 1,223 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Maternal mortality in South Sudan, 1985–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for maternal mortality in South Sudan is 1,223, measured in 2020.
That represents a change of down 1.8% on the previous year and up 15.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, maternal mortality in South Sudan peaked at 6,775 in 1987 and was at its lowest, 1,060, in 2010.
South Sudan ranks 1st of 189 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Maternal mortality in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 3,292 | — |
| 1986 | 3,279 | -0.4% |
| 1987 | 6,775 | +106.6% |
| 1988 | 4,786 | -29.3% |
| 1989 | 4,184 | -12.6% |
| 1990 | 4,141 | -1.0% |
| 1991 | 4,133 | -0.2% |
| 1992 | 6,528 | +58.0% |
| 1993 | 6,591 | +1.0% |
| 1994 | 1,673 | -74.6% |
| 1995 | 4,106 | +145.5% |
| 1996 | 4,023 | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 3,838 | -4.6% |
| 1998 | 6,482 | +68.9% |
| 1999 | 2,028 | -68.7% |
| 2000 | 1,687 | -16.9% |
| 2001 | 1,654 | -1.9% |
| 2002 | 1,668 | +0.8% |
| 2003 | 1,404 | -15.8% |
| 2004 | 1,372 | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 1,332 | -2.9% |
| 2006 | 1,301 | -2.3% |
| 2007 | 1,187 | -8.8% |
| 2008 | 1,138 | -4.1% |
| 2009 | 1,118 | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 1,060 | -5.2% |
| 2011 | 1,062 | +0.2% |
| 2012 | 1,067 | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 1,131 | +6.0% |
| 2014 | 1,172 | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 1,225 | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 1,288 | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 1,252 | -2.8% |
| 2018 | 1,275 | +1.9% |
| 2019 | 1,245 | -2.3% |
| 2020 | 1,223 | -1.8% |
South Sudan compared with similar countries
- South Sudan's 1,223 is above the median for low income countries, which is 440.23, 2.8× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- South Sudan's 1,223 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15, 3.6× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Maternal mortality in South Sudan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +145.5% | 1,673 | 4,106 |
| 1987 | +106.6% | 3,279 | 6,775 |
| 1994 | -74.6% | 6,591 | 1,673 |
| 1998 | +68.9% | 3,838 | 6,482 |
| 1999 | -68.7% | 6,482 | 2,028 |
| 1992 | +58.0% | 4,133 | 6,528 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4,463 | 3,279 | 6,775 | 5 |
| 1990s | 4,354 | 1,673 | 6,591 | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,386 | 1,118 | 1,687 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,178 | 1,060 | 1,288 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,223 | 1,223 | 1,223 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More health data for South Sudan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.47 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.665 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 12,029 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 57 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.93 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0637 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 (2015)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0654 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is maternal mortality in South Sudan?
- Maternal mortality in South Sudan was 1,223 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest maternal mortality recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 6,775 in 1987.
- What is the lowest maternal mortality recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,060 in 2010.
- How does South Sudan rank for maternal mortality?
- South Sudan ranks 1st out of 189 countries with data for 2020.
- Is maternal mortality rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan 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).