Number of maternal deaths in South Sudan
South Sudan: Number of maternal deaths was 2,271 Deaths in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
2,271 Deaths
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
23rd
of 195 countries
All-time high
21,623 Deaths
in 1998
All-time low
2,254 Deaths
in 2022
Years of data
39
1985–2023
Number of maternal deaths in South Sudan, 1985–2023
Source: World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in Deaths.
Analysis
In 2023, number of maternal deaths in South Sudan stood at 2,271 Deaths.
The figure is up 0.8% on the previous year and down 31.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in South Sudan peaked at 21,623 Deaths in 1998 and was at its lowest, 2,254 Deaths, in 2022.
South Sudan ranks 23rd of 195 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Number of maternal deaths in South Sudan, year by year
| Year | Deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 9,421 Deaths | — |
| 1986 | 9,267 Deaths | -1.6% |
| 1987 | 20,183 Deaths | +117.8% |
| 1988 | 13,917 Deaths | -31.0% |
| 1989 | 12,774 Deaths | -8.2% |
| 1990 | 12,082 Deaths | -5.4% |
| 1991 | 12,079 Deaths | -0.0% |
| 1992 | 19,597 Deaths | +62.2% |
| 1993 | 19,674 Deaths | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 4,452 Deaths | -77.4% |
| 1995 | 12,203 Deaths | +174.1% |
| 1996 | 12,286 Deaths | +0.7% |
| 1997 | 11,869 Deaths | -3.4% |
| 1998 | 21,623 Deaths | +82.2% |
| 1999 | 5,989 Deaths | -72.3% |
| 2000 | 4,982 Deaths | -16.8% |
| 2001 | 4,876 Deaths | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 4,819 Deaths | -1.2% |
| 2003 | 3,871 Deaths | -19.7% |
| 2004 | 3,785 Deaths | -2.2% |
| 2005 | 3,612 Deaths | -4.6% |
| 2006 | 3,462 Deaths | -4.1% |
| 2007 | 3,310 Deaths | -4.4% |
| 2008 | 3,148 Deaths | -4.9% |
| 2009 | 3,121 Deaths | -0.9% |
| 2010 | 3,017 Deaths | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 3,153 Deaths | +4.5% |
| 2012 | 3,179 Deaths | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 3,299 Deaths | +3.8% |
| 2014 | 5,216 Deaths | +58.1% |
| 2015 | 5,646 Deaths | +8.2% |
| 2016 | 6,185 Deaths | +9.6% |
| 2017 | 5,591 Deaths | -9.6% |
| 2018 | 2,686 Deaths | -52.0% |
| 2019 | 2,284 Deaths | -15.0% |
| 2020 | 2,296 Deaths | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 2,417 Deaths | +5.3% |
| 2022 | 2,254 Deaths | -6.7% |
| 2023 | 2,271 Deaths | +0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 13,113 Deaths | 9,267 Deaths | 20,183 Deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 13,185 Deaths | 4,452 Deaths | 21,623 Deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 3,898 Deaths | 3,121 Deaths | 4,982 Deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 4,026 Deaths | 2,284 Deaths | 6,185 Deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,310 Deaths | 2,254 Deaths | 2,417 Deaths | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Sudan
More health data for South Sudan
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.665 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.47 % change on previous year (2100)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,347 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 12,029 deaths (2100)
- Deaths in armed conflicts based on where they occurred 123 deaths (2026)
- Deaths in armed conflicts by region 123 deaths (2026)
- Population ages 0-14, total 4.63 million (2025)
- Population, male 49.2% (2025)
- Age population, age 06, female, interpolated 138,289 (2025)
- Age population, age 06, male, interpolated 141,133 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths in South Sudan?
- Number of maternal deaths in South Sudan was 2,271 Deaths in 2023, according to World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Sudan?
- The highest recorded value was 21,623 Deaths in 1998.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Sudan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,254 Deaths in 2022.
- How does South Sudan rank for number of maternal deaths?
- South Sudan ranks 23rd out of 195 countries with data for 2023.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in South Sudan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 31.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Sudan data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization - Global Health Observatory (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of maternal deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated annual number of women who die from maternal conditions.