Number of maternal deaths in South Africa
South Africa: Number of maternal deaths was 1,395 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Number of maternal deaths in South Africa, 1985–2023
Source: World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
Analysis
In 2023, number of maternal deaths in South Africa stood at 1,395. That is the lowest value across all 39 years on record.
That represents a change of down 9.3% on the previous year and down 35.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths in South Africa peaked at 3,378 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1,395, in 2023.
That places South Africa 35th out of 194 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 39 years of available data.
Number of maternal deaths in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2,496 | — |
| 1986 | 2,428 | -2.7% |
| 1987 | 2,382 | -1.9% |
| 1988 | 2,264 | -4.9% |
| 1989 | 2,145 | -5.3% |
| 1990 | 1,987 | -7.4% |
| 1991 | 1,897 | -4.5% |
| 1992 | 1,748 | -7.8% |
| 1993 | 1,672 | -4.3% |
| 1994 | 1,444 | -13.7% |
| 1995 | 1,421 | -1.6% |
| 1996 | 1,685 | +18.6% |
| 1997 | 1,664 | -1.3% |
| 1998 | 1,631 | -2.0% |
| 1999 | 1,604 | -1.7% |
| 2000 | 1,777 | +10.8% |
| 2001 | 1,944 | +9.4% |
| 2002 | 2,263 | +16.4% |
| 2003 | 2,541 | +12.3% |
| 2004 | 2,808 | +10.5% |
| 2005 | 3,135 | +11.7% |
| 2006 | 3,280 | +4.6% |
| 2007 | 3,172 | -3.3% |
| 2008 | 3,378 | +6.5% |
| 2009 | 2,841 | -15.9% |
| 2010 | 2,624 | -7.6% |
| 2011 | 2,364 | -9.9% |
| 2012 | 2,305 | -2.5% |
| 2013 | 2,152 | -6.7% |
| 2014 | 1,964 | -8.7% |
| 2015 | 1,792 | -8.7% |
| 2016 | 1,638 | -8.6% |
| 2017 | 1,544 | -5.8% |
| 2018 | 1,484 | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 1,402 | -5.5% |
| 2020 | 1,398 | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 2,276 | +62.7% |
| 2022 | 1,538 | -32.4% |
| 2023 | 1,395 | -9.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2,343 | 2,145 | 2,496 | 5 |
| 1990s | 1,675 | 1,421 | 1,987 | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,714 | 1,777 | 3,378 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,927 | 1,402 | 2,624 | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,652 | 1,395 | 2,276 | 4 |
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)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,152 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 3,333 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 75-79, female, annual growth rate 7.34 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, female, per capita 0.0067 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, annual growth rate 8.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, per capita 0.0039 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths in South Africa?
- Number of maternal deaths in South Africa was 1,395 in 2023, according to World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3,378 in 2008.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,395 in 2023.
- How does South Africa rank for number of maternal deaths?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is number of maternal deaths rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 35.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization, Global Health Observatory, published as part of Number of maternal deaths. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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