Number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa
South Africa: Number of maternal deaths by region was 1,516 deaths in 2020. ▬ Flat
Latest (2020)
1,516 deaths
Change on year
up 3.7%
World rank
35th
of 185 countries
All-time high
2,626 deaths
in 2008
All-time low
1,461 deaths
in 2016
Years of data
36
1985–2020
Number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa, 1985–2020
Source: UN MMEIG (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1,516 deaths for number of maternal deaths by region in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.7% on the previous year and down 40.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa peaked at 2,626 deaths in 2008 and was at its lowest, 1,461 deaths, in 2016.
South Africa ranks 35th of 185 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 2,023 deaths | — |
| 1986 | 2,061 deaths | +1.9% |
| 1987 | 2,132 deaths | +3.5% |
| 1988 | 1,968 deaths | -7.7% |
| 1989 | 2,049 deaths | +4.1% |
| 1990 | 1,861 deaths | -9.2% |
| 1991 | 1,882 deaths | +1.1% |
| 1992 | 1,713 deaths | -9.0% |
| 1993 | 1,680 deaths | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 1,598 deaths | -4.9% |
| 1995 | 1,546 deaths | -3.2% |
| 1996 | 1,808 deaths | +16.9% |
| 1997 | 1,685 deaths | -6.8% |
| 1998 | 1,540 deaths | -8.6% |
| 1999 | 1,547 deaths | +0.5% |
| 2000 | 1,678 deaths | +8.5% |
| 2001 | 1,621 deaths | -3.4% |
| 2002 | 1,847 deaths | +14.0% |
| 2003 | 2,018 deaths | +9.3% |
| 2004 | 2,393 deaths | +18.6% |
| 2005 | 2,370 deaths | -1.0% |
| 2006 | 2,314 deaths | -2.3% |
| 2007 | 2,466 deaths | +6.6% |
| 2008 | 2,626 deaths | +6.5% |
| 2009 | 2,611 deaths | -0.6% |
| 2010 | 2,526 deaths | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 2,263 deaths | -10.4% |
| 2012 | 1,952 deaths | -13.8% |
| 2013 | 1,802 deaths | -7.6% |
| 2014 | 1,700 deaths | -5.7% |
| 2015 | 1,670 deaths | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 1,461 deaths | -12.5% |
| 2017 | 1,561 deaths | +6.9% |
| 2018 | 1,520 deaths | -2.6% |
| 2019 | 1,462 deaths | -3.8% |
| 2020 | 1,516 deaths | +3.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 2,047 deaths | 1,968 deaths | 2,132 deaths | 5 |
| 1990s | 1,686 deaths | 1,540 deaths | 1,882 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,194 deaths | 1,621 deaths | 2,626 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,792 deaths | 1,461 deaths | 2,526 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,516 deaths | 1,516 deaths | 1,516 deaths | 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)
- 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 05-09, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, female, per capita 0.0424 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, annual growth rate 2.82 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 05-09, male, per capita 0.0426 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 10-14, female, annual growth rate -0.9299 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa?
- Number of maternal deaths by region in South Africa was 1,516 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 South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2,626 deaths in 2008.
- What is the lowest number of maternal deaths by region recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,461 deaths in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for number of maternal deaths by region?
- South Africa ranks 35th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of maternal deaths by region rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 40.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa 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.