Number of maternal deaths by region in Australia
Australia: Number of maternal deaths by region was 8.71 deaths in 2020. ▼ Falling
Number of maternal deaths by region in Australia, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of maternal deaths by region in Australia is 8.71 deaths, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 36 years on record.
That represents a change of down 43.9% on the previous year and down 46.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths by region in Australia peaked at 24.12 deaths in 1994 and was at its lowest, 8.71 deaths, in 2020.
Australia ranks 130th of 185 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 36 years of available data.
Number of maternal deaths by region in Australia, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 19.72 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 19.46 deaths | -1.3% |
| 1987 | 20.41 deaths | +4.9% |
| 1988 | 20.93 deaths | +2.5% |
| 1989 | 21.79 deaths | +4.1% |
| 1990 | 21.55 deaths | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 22.67 deaths | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 23.12 deaths | +2.0% |
| 1993 | 23.29 deaths | +0.7% |
| 1994 | 24.12 deaths | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 20.62 deaths | -14.5% |
| 1996 | 19.7 deaths | -4.5% |
| 1997 | 19.71 deaths | +0.0% |
| 1998 | 18.59 deaths | -5.7% |
| 1999 | 17.8 deaths | -4.3% |
| 2000 | 16.67 deaths | -6.4% |
| 2001 | 14.69 deaths | -11.9% |
| 2002 | 13.92 deaths | -5.2% |
| 2003 | 13.79 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2004 | 12.95 deaths | -6.1% |
| 2005 | 12.09 deaths | -6.6% |
| 2006 | 12.33 deaths | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 14.71 deaths | +19.3% |
| 2008 | 14.57 deaths | -0.9% |
| 2009 | 15.98 deaths | +9.7% |
| 2010 | 16.36 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2011 | 17.81 deaths | +8.9% |
| 2012 | 17.93 deaths | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 18.34 deaths | +2.3% |
| 2014 | 16.17 deaths | -11.8% |
| 2015 | 15.99 deaths | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 15.99 deaths | -0.0% |
| 2017 | 14.89 deaths | -6.9% |
| 2018 | 14.16 deaths | -4.9% |
| 2019 | 15.51 deaths | +9.6% |
| 2020 | 8.71 deaths | -43.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 20.46 deaths | 19.46 deaths | 21.79 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 21.12 deaths | 17.8 deaths | 24.12 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 14.17 deaths | 12.09 deaths | 16.67 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 16.32 deaths | 14.16 deaths | 18.34 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.71 deaths | 8.71 deaths | 8.71 deaths | 1 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More health data for Australia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.83 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.9072 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 906.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 215 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 75-79, female, annual growth rate 4.81 % 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 0.0198 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 75-79, male, annual growth rate 4.21 % 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 0.018 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths by region in Australia?
- Number of maternal deaths by region in Australia was 8.71 deaths in 2020, according to UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of maternal deaths by region recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 24.12 deaths in 1994.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths by region recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.71 deaths in 2020.
- How does Australia rank for number of maternal deaths by region?
- Australia ranks 130th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths by region rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of maternal deaths by region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of maternal deaths in a given year.