The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia
Zambia: The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 was 134.66 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Latest (2020)
134.66
Change on year
up 4.5%
World rank
56th
of 185 countries
All-time high
607.3
in 1991
All-time low
128.84
in 2019
Years of data
36
1985–2020
The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia, 1985–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
Zambia recorded 134.66 for the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in 2020.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.5% on the previous year and down 49.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia peaked at 607.3 in 1991 and was at its lowest, 128.84, in 2019.
Zambia ranks 56th 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.
The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 555.44 | — |
| 1986 | 573.41 | +3.2% |
| 1987 | 560.24 | -2.3% |
| 1988 | 580.49 | +3.6% |
| 1989 | 588.89 | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 602.99 | +2.4% |
| 1991 | 607.3 | +0.7% |
| 1992 | 599.19 | -1.3% |
| 1993 | 576.15 | -3.8% |
| 1994 | 543.75 | -5.6% |
| 1995 | 523.19 | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 508.72 | -2.8% |
| 1997 | 500.66 | -1.6% |
| 1998 | 491.66 | -1.8% |
| 1999 | 468.42 | -4.7% |
| 2000 | 418.69 | -10.6% |
| 2001 | 362.62 | -13.4% |
| 2002 | 337.08 | -7.0% |
| 2003 | 308.19 | -8.6% |
| 2004 | 311.69 | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 309.25 | -0.8% |
| 2006 | 306.09 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 295.85 | -3.3% |
| 2008 | 319.58 | +8.0% |
| 2009 | 326.59 | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 268.49 | -17.8% |
| 2011 | 232.77 | -13.3% |
| 2012 | 220.63 | -5.2% |
| 2013 | 191.35 | -13.3% |
| 2014 | 168.84 | -11.8% |
| 2015 | 165.73 | -1.8% |
| 2016 | 155.36 | -6.3% |
| 2017 | 155.82 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 144.87 | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 128.84 | -11.1% |
| 2020 | 134.66 | +4.5% |
Zambia compared with similar countries
- Zambia's 134.66 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 191.84, 70% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Zambia's 134.66 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 339.15, 40% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 571.69 | 555.44 | 588.89 | 5 |
| 1990s | 542.2 | 468.42 | 607.3 | 10 |
| 2000s | 329.57 | 295.85 | 418.69 | 10 |
| 2010s | 183.27 | 128.84 | 268.49 | 10 |
| 2020s | 134.66 | 134.66 | 134.66 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
- 53 Bolivia 160.91 compare
- 54 Pakistan 154.16 compare
- 55 Sao Tome and Principe 146.24 compare
- 57 Belize 129.79 compare
- 58 Mozambique 127.11 compare
- 59 South Africa 126.83 compare
More health data for Zambia
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.7971 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 8,894 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.68 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0743 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.69 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.0744 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia?
- The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 in Zambia was 134.66 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 607.3 in 1991.
- What is the lowest the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 128.84 in 2019.
- How does Zambia rank for the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020?
- Zambia ranks 56th out of 185 countries with data for 2020.
- Is the maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020 rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 49.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of The maternal mortality ratio in 1985 and 2020. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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