Executive summary TRENDS IN MATERNAL MORTALITY 2000 to 2017 Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background and the United Nations Population Division (UNPD) The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs – launched on 25 September 2015 and came into force has collaborated with external technical experts on on 1 January 2016 for the 15-year period until 31 a new round of estimates for 2000–2017. To provide December 2030. Among the 17 SDGs, the direct health- increasingly accurate MMR estimates, the previous related targets come under SDG 3: Ensure healthy estimation methods have been refined to optimize use lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. With of country-level data. Consultations with countries were the adoption of the SDGs, the United Nations Member carried out during May and June 2019. This process States extended the global commitments they had generated additional data for inclusion in the maternal made in 2000 to the Millennium Development Goals mortality estimation model, demonstrating widespread (MDGs), which covered the period until 2015. expansion of in-country efforts to monitor maternal mortality. In anticipation of the launch of the SDGs, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a consensus This report presents internationally comparable global, statement and full strategy paper on ending preventable regional and country-level estimates and trends for maternal mortality (EPMM). The EPMM target for maternal mortality between 2000 and 2017.1 Countries reducing the global maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by and territories included in the analyses are WHO 2030 was adopted as SDG target 3.1: reduce global Member States with populations over 100 000 in 2019, MMR to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by plus two territories (Puerto Rico, and the West Bank 2030. and Gaza Strip).2 The results described in this summary are the first available estimates for maternal mortality Having targets for mortality reduction is important, but for the SDG reporting period; but since two years (2016 accurate measurement of maternal mortality remains and 2017) is not sufficient to show trends, estimates challenging and many deaths still go uncounted. Many have been developed and presented covering the countries still lack well functioning civil registration and period 2000 to 2017. The new estimates presented in vital statistics (CRVS) systems, and where such systems this report supersede all previously published estimates do exist, reporting errors – whether incompleteness for years that fall within the same time period. Care (unregistered deaths, also known as “missing”) or should be taken to use only these estimates for the misclassification of cause of death – continue to pose a interpretation of trends in maternal mortality from 2000 major challenge to data accuracy. to 2017; due to modifications in methodology and data availability, differences between these and previous estimates should not be interpreted as representing Methods and interpretation time trends. In addition, when interpreting changes in MMRs over time, one should take into consideration The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter- that it is easier to reduce the MMR when the level is Agency Group (UN MMEIG) – comprising WHO, the high than when the MMR level is already low. The full United Nations Children (UNICEF), the United Nations database, country profiles and all model specification Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Bank Group codes used are available online.3 1 Estimates have been computed to ensure comparability across countries, thus they are not necessarily the same as official statistics of the countries, which may use alternative rigorous methods. 2 Puerto Rico is an Associate Member, and the West Bank and Gaza Strip is a member in the regional committee for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. 3 Available at: www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal-mortality-2017/en/. Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 1 Global estimates for 2017 and trends for 2000– Moderate MMR (100–299) was estimated in Northern 2017 Africa, Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand), Southern Asia, South-Eastern Asia and in small island The global estimates for the year 2017 indicate that developing states. Four subregions (Australia and New there were 295 000 (UI 279 000 to 340 000)4 maternal Zealand, Central Asia, Eastern Asia, Western Asia) and deaths; 35% lower than in 2000 when there were an two regions (Latin America and the Caribbean, and estimated 451 000 (UI 431 000 to 485 000) maternal Europe and Northern America) have low MMR (< 100 deaths. The global MMR in 2017 is estimated at 211 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births) (see Table 1). (UI 199 to 243) maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, representing a 38% reduction since 2000, when it was Sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia accounted for estimated at 342. The average annual rate of reduction approximately 86% (254 000) of the estimated global (ARR) in global MMR during the 2000–2017 period maternal deaths in 2017 with sub-Saharan Africa alone was 2.9%; this means that, on average, the global accounting for roughly 66% (196 000), while Southern MMR declined by 2.9% every year between 2000 and Asia accounted for nearly 20% (58 000). South-Eastern 2017. The global lifetime risk of maternal mortality for a Asia, in addition, accounted for over 5% of global 15-year-old girl in 2017 was estimated at 1 in 190; nearly maternal deaths (16 000). half of the level of risk in 2000: 1 in 100. The overall proportion of deaths to women of reproductive age Three countries are estimated to have had extremely (15–49 years) that are due to maternal causes (PM) was high MMR in 2017 (defined as over 1000 maternal estimated at 9.2% (UI 8.7% to 10.6%) in 2017 – down deaths per 100 000 live births): South Sudan (1150; by 26.3% since 2000. This means that compared with UI 789 to 1710), Chad (1140; UI 847 to 1590) and other causes of death to women of reproductive age, Sierra Leone (1120; UI 808 to 1620). Sixteen other the fraction attributed to maternal causes is decreasing. countries, all also in sub-Saharan Africa except for In addition, the effect of HIV on maternal mortality in one (Afghanistan), had very high MMR in 2017 (i.e. 2017 appears to be less pronounced than in earlier estimates ranging between 500 and 999). Only three years; HIV-related indirect maternal deaths now account countries in sub-Saharan Africa had low MMR: Mauritius for approximately 1% of all maternal deaths compared (61; UI 46 to 85), Cabo Verde (58; UI 45 to 75) and with 2.5 % in 2005, at the peak of the epidemic. Seychelles (53; UI 26 to 109). Only one country outside the sub-Saharan African region had high MMR: Haiti (480; UI 346 to 718). Ninety countries were estimated to Regional and country-level estimates for 2017 have MMR of 50 or less in 2017. MMR in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) Nigeria and India had the highest estimated numbers of is high,5 estimated at 415 maternal deaths per 100 000 maternal deaths, accounting for approximately one third live births (UI 396 to 477), which is more than 40 times (35%) of estimated global maternal deaths in 2017, with higher than that for MMR in Europe (10; UI 9 to 11), approximately 67 000 and 35 000 maternal deaths (23% and almost 60 times higher than in Australia and New and 12% of global maternal deaths), respectively. Three Zealand (7; UI 6 to 8). In the world’s LDCs, where an other countries also had 10 000 maternal deaths or estimated 130 000 maternal deaths occurred in 2017, more: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (16 000), the estimated lifetime risk of maternal death was 1 in Ethiopia (14 000) and the United Republic of Tanzania 56. Sub-Saharan Africa is the only region with very high (11 000). Sixty-one countries were estimated to have MMR for 2017, estimated at 542 (UI 498 to 649), while had just 10 or fewer maternal deaths in 2017. the lifetime risk of maternal death was 1 in 37, compared with just 1 in 7800 in Australia and New Zealand. 4 All uncertainty intervals (UIs) reported are 80% UI. The data can be interpreted as meaning that there is an 80% chance that the true value lies within the UI, a 10% chance that the true value lies below the lower limit and a 10% chance that the true value lies above the upper limit. 5 For the purpose of categorization, MMR is considered to be low if it is less than 100, moderate if it is 100–299, high if it is 300–499, very high if it is 500–999 and extremely high if it is equal to or higher than 1000 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births. 2 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table 1. Estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), number of maternal deaths, lifetime risk and proportion of deaths among women of reproductive age that are due to maternal causes (PM), by United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) region, subregion and other grouping, 2017 MMRa point estimate and range of uncertainty interval (UI: 80%) Number Lifetime of risk of PMd SDG region a maternal maternal (%) MMR deathsb deathc Lower UI point Upper UI estimate World 199 211 243 295 000 190 9.2 Sub-Saharan Africa 498 542 649 196 000 37 18.2 Northern Africa and Western Asia 73 84 104 9 700 380 5.9 Northern Africa 91 112 145 6 700 260 8.4 Western Asia 45 55 69 3 000 650 3.6 Central and Southern Asia 131 151 181 58 000 260 6.6 Central Asia 21 24 28 390 1 400 1.7 Southern Asia 136 157 189 58 000 250 6.8 Eastern and South-Eastern Asia 61 69 85 21 000 790 3.3 Eastern Asia 22 28 35 5 300 2 200 1.5 South-Eastern Asia 115 137 173 16 000 320 5.5 Latin America and the Caribbean 70 74 81 7 800 630 3.8 Oceania 34 60 120 400 690 4.1 Australia and New Zealand 6 7 8 26 7 800 0.6 Oceania (excl. Australia and New 69 129 267 380 210 6.5 Zealand) Europe and Northern America 12 12 14 1 500 4 800 0.6 Europe 9 10 11 740 6 500 0.5 Northern America 16 18 20 760 3 100 0.9 Landlocked developing countries 378 408 484 65 000 57 17.4 Least developed countries 396 415 477 130 000 56 17.5 Small island developing States 178 210 277 2 600 190 8.5 UI: uncertainty interval. a The country groupings are based on the geographic regions defined under the Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (known as M49) https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/regional-groups/. b MMR estimates have been rounded according to the following scheme: < 100 rounded to nearest 1; 100–999 rounded to nearest 1; and ≥ 1000 rounded to nearest 10, and all calculations are based on rounded numbers. c 100 rounded to nearest 1; 100–999 rounded to nearest 10; Numbers of maternal deaths have been rounded according to the following scheme: <  1000–9999 rounded to nearest 100; and ≥ 10 000 rounded to nearest 1000. d Lifetime risk numbers have been rounded according to the following scheme: < 100 rounded to nearest 1; 100–999 rounded to nearest 10; and ≥ 1000 rounded to nearest 100. e The number of maternal deaths in a given time period divided by the total deaths among women aged 15–49 years. Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 3 In 2017, according to the Fragile States Index, as a region also achieved a substantial reduction 15 countries were considered to be “very high alert” in MMR of roughly 38% since 2000. Notably, one or “high alert”6 (from highest to lowest: South Sudan, subregion with very low MMR (12) in 2000 – Northern Somalia, Central African Republic, Yemen, Syrian America – had an increase in MMR of almost 52% Arab Republic, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the during this period, rising to 18 in 2017. This is likely Congo, Chad, Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, Guinea, Nigeria, related to already low levels of MMR, as well as Zimbabwe and Ethiopia), and these 15 countries had improvements in data collection, changes in life MMRs in 2017 ranging from 31 (Syrian Arab Republic) to expectancy and/or changes in disparities between 1150 (South Sudan). subpopulations. The greatest declines in proportion of deaths among Regional and country-level trends, 2000–2017 women of reproductive age that are due to maternal causes (PM) occurred in two regions: Central and Between 2000 and 2017, the subregion of Southern Southern Asia (56.4%), and Northern Africa and Asia achieved the greatest overall percentage reduction Western Asia (42.6%). Almost no change was seen in in MMR: 59% (from 384 to 157). This equates to an PM in Europe and Northern America. average ARR of 5.3%. Four other subregions roughly halved their MMRs during this period: Central Asia The 10 countries with the highest MMRs in 2017 (in (52%), Eastern Asia (50%), Europe (53%) and Northern order from highest to lowest: South Sudan, Chad, Sierra Africa (54%). MMR in LDCs also declined by 46%. Leone, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Somalia, Despite its very high MMR in 2017, sub-Saharan Africa Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Afghanistan) all Figure 1. Maternal mortality ratios, by country, 2017 1−19 20−99 100−299 0 875 1,750 3,500 Kilometres 300−499 © World Health Organization 2019 The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this map do not imply the 500−999 Data not available expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of WHO concerning the legal status of any Some rights reserved. This work is country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers ≥ 1000 Not applicable available under the CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO licence. or boundaries. Dotted and dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. 6 The Fragile States Index is an assessment of 178 countries based on 12 cohesion, economic, social and political indicators, resulting in a score that indicates their susceptibility to instability. Further information about indicators and methodology is available at: https://fragilestatesindex.org/. At the top of the range (most fragile), the scores are categorized as follows: > 110 = very high alert; 100–110 = high alert. These two categories include the 15 most fragile countries mentioned here. There are 10 other categories ranging from “very sustainable” to “alert”, which include the remaining 163 countries. 4 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY have ARRs between 2000 and 2017 of less than 5%. In addition, governments are called upon to establish When comparing the ARRs between the year ranges of well functioning CRVS systems with accurate attribution 2000–2010 and 2010–2017, these 10 countries have of cause of death. Improvements in measurement also had stagnant or slowing levels of ARR and therefore must be driven by action at the country level, with remain at greatest risk. The impact of interruptions or governments creating systems to capture data specific loss of quality health services must be considered in to their information needs; systems that must also meet crisis and other unstable situations. the standards required for international comparability. Globally, standardized methods for preventing Countries that achieved the highest ARRs between 2000 errors in CRVS reporting (i.e. incompleteness and and 2017 (an average ARR of 7% or above), starting misclassification) should be established to enhance with the highest, were Belarus, Kazakhstan, Timor- international comparability. Leste, Rwanda, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Angola and Estonia (see Table 2). In considering the uncertainty In consideration of the above, it must be noted that this intervals around their average ARRs, we can only be report on the levels and trends of maternal mortality very sure about this high level of acceleration in Belarus, provides just one critical facet of information, which Kazakhstan, Timor-Leste and Rwanda. In 13 countries, synthesizes and draws from the available data, to MMR increased in the same period. In considering the assess one aspect of global progress towards achieving uncertainty around the rate and direction of change, global goals for improved health and sustainable we believe there have been true MMR increases in the development. In the context of efforts to achieve UHC, United States of America and the Dominican Republic. improving maternal health is critical to fulfilling the These findings must be considered in context – as aspiration to reach SDG 3. One can only hope that the many factors may drive positive and negative trends in global community will not be indifferent to the shortfalls maternal mortality. that are expected if we cannot improve the current rate of reduction in maternal mortality. Ultimately, we need to expand horizons beyond a sole focus on mortality, Conclusions to look at the broader aspects – country and regional situations and trends including health systems, UHC, The SDGs include a direct emphasis on reducing quality of care, morbidity levels and socioeconomic maternal mortality while also highlighting the determinants of women’s empowerment and education importance of moving beyond survival. Despite the – and ensure that appropriate action is taken to support ambition to end preventable maternal deaths by 2030, family planning, healthy pregnancy and safe childbirth. the world will fall short of this target by more than 1 million lives with the current pace of progress. There is a continued urgent need for maternal health and survival to remain high on the global health and development agenda; the state of maternal health interacts with and reflects efforts to improve the accessibility and quality of care. The 2018 Declaration of Astana repositioned primary health care as the most (cost) effective and inclusive means of delivering health services to achieve the SDGs. Primary health care is thereby considered the cornerstone for achieving universal health coverage (UHC), which only exists when all people receive the quality health services they need without suffering financial hardship. Health services that are unavailable, inaccessible or of poor quality, however, will not support the achievement of UHC, as envisioned. Efforts to increase the provision of skilled and competent care to more women, before, during and after childbirth, must also be seen in the context of external forces including but not limited to climate change, migration and humanitarian crises – not only because of the environmental risks presented, but also because of their contribution to health complications. Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 5 Table 2. Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimatesa,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Afghanistan 1450 1140 954 701 638 56 1.4 4.8 7.3 Albania 23 22 21 15 15 35 -0.1 2.5 5.7 Algeria 161 127 115 114 112 30 -0.5 2.1 4.4 Angola 827 519 326 251 241 71 5.4 7.2 9.3 Antigua and Barbuda 44 40 44 43 42 5 -1.8 0.2 2.4 Argentina 66 59 51 41 39 41 2.1 3.1 4.2 Armenia 43 35 32 28 26 40 1.5 3.0 4.3 Australia 7 5 5 6 6 14 -1.4 0.2 1.7 Austria 6 6 5 5 5 17 -0.5 1.6 3.1 Azerbaijan 47 42 31 27 26 45 2.2 3.5 4.9 Bahamas 75 77 78 74 70 7 -2.4 0.4 2.6 Bahrain 27 19 18 15 14 48 1.6 3.6 5.4 Bangladesh 434 343 258 200 173 60 3.4 5.4 7.1 Barbados 50 42 36 31 27 46 1.9 3.7 6.0 Belarus 22 11 5 3 2 91 9.6 13.0 16.7 Belgium 8 7 6 5 5 38 1.0 2.5 4.1 Belize 89 70 54 43 36 60 3.7 5.3 7.5 Benin 520 500 464 421 397 24 -0.4 1.6 3.2 Bhutan 423 310 247 203 183 57 2.1 4.9 7.0 Bolivia (Plurinational 331 271 212 168 155 53 2.7 4.5 6.2 State of) Bosnia and Herzegovina 17 13 11 10 10 41 1.3 3.3 6.3 Botswana 262 239 179 156 144 45 2.1 3.5 4.7 Brazil 69 71 65 63 60 13 0.7 0.9 1.1 Brunei Darussalam 28 29 28 30 31 -11 -2.5 -0.7 1.6 Bulgaria 19 15 12 10 10 47 1.9 4.0 6.5 Burkina Faso 516 437 385 343 320 38 0.9 2.8 4.9 Burundi 1010 814 665 568 548 46 1.7 3.6 5.5 Cabo Verde 118 86 70 61 58 51 2.5 4.2 5.7 Cambodia 488 351 248 178 160 67 4.6 6.6 8.4 Cameroon 886 692 597 554 529 40 0.8 3.0 4.8 Canada 9 11 11 11 10 -11 -2.5 -0.6 1.2 6 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimatesa,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Central African Republic 1280 1200 1000 912 829 35 0.3 2.6 4.9 Chad 1420 1330 1240 1160 1140 20 -0.7 1.3 2.9 Chile 31 25 20 14 13 58 4.3 5.4 6.7 China 59 44 36 30 29 51 2.9 4.2 6.0 Colombia 94 83 85 85 83 12 -0.4 0.8 1.7 Comoros 444 404 341 285 273 39 0.8 2.9 4.9 Congo 739 677 506 416 378 49 2.0 3.9 5.7 Costa Rica 40 33 32 28 27 33 1.2 2.2 3.4 Côte d’Ivoire 704 704 701 658 617 12 -1.2 0.8 2.7 Croatia 11 10 9 8 8 27 0.0 2.0 3.7 Cuba 46 41 41 38 36 22 0.6 1.4 2.2 Cyprus 14 12 8 7 6 57 2.9 4.9 7.0 Czechia 7 5 4 4 3 57 2.0 4.0 6.3 Democratic People’s 139 120 106 91 89 36 0.2 2.6 4.9 Republic of Korea Democratic Republic of 760 627 542 490 473 38 0.1 2.8 4.7 the Congo Denmark 8 6 5 4 4 50 2.8 4.3 6.2 Djibouti 507 393 283 247 248 51 2.0 4.2 6.5 Dominican Republic 80 83 96 94 95 -19 -1.6 -1.0 -0.5 Ecuador 122 94 78 63 59 52 3.4 4.3 5.2 Egypt 64 52 45 39 37 42 1.7 3.2 5.4 El Salvador 73 62 54 48 46 37 1.3 2.7 4.3 Equatorial Guinea 454 344 308 296 301 34 0.3 2.4 4.5 Eritrea 1280 804 567 518 480 63 3.6 5.8 7.9 Estonia 29 18 11 10 9 69 5.0 7.1 9.6 Eswatini 521 532 450 435 437 16 -1.6 1.0 3.0 Ethiopia 1030 865 597 446 401 61 3.0 5.5 7.4 Fiji 51 46 39 35 34 33 0.8 2.4 4.0 Finland 6 5 4 3 3 50 1.7 3.6 5.2 France 10 9 9 8 8 20 0.2 1.4 2.6 Gabon 380 348 314 261 252 34 0.1 2.4 4.3 Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 7 Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimates a,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Gambia 932 756 661 625 597 36 0.6 2.6 4.5 Georgia 31 39 32 27 25 19 0.1 1.3 2.5 Germany 7 6 6 5 7 0 -1.3 0.2 1.8 Ghana 484 371 339 320 308 36 0.9 2.7 4.5 Greece 3 3 3 3 3 0 -1.3 0.6 2.7 Grenada 38 33 29 25 25 34 0.4 2.4 4.5 Guatemala 161 142 129 103 95 41 2.5 3.1 3.7 Guinea 1020 920 747 699 576 44 1.6 3.4 4.9 Guinea-Bissau 1210 979 779 694 667 45 1.0 3.5 5.4 Guyana 231 223 179 172 169 27 0.4 1.8 3.3 Haiti 437 459 506 488 480 -10 -2.7 -0.6 1.3 Honduras 85 77 74 67 65 24 0.4 1.6 2.7 Hungary 16 15 13 12 12 25 -0.6 2.0 4.2 Iceland 6 5 5 4 4 33 0.7 2.7 4.9 India 370 286 210 158 145 61 4.2 5.5 7.0 Indonesia 272 252 228 192 177 35 0.5 2.5 4.3 Iran (Islamic Republic of) 48 34 22 17 16 67 5.0 6.3 8.0 Iraq 79 127 70 83 79 0 -1.9 0.0 2.5 Ireland 7 7 6 6 5 29 0.0 2.5 4.3 Israel 7 5 4 3 3 57 3.4 4.9 6.5 Italy 4 3 2 2 2 50 3.3 5.1 6.9 Jamaica 77 80 79 78 80 -4 -1.5 -0.2 0.9 Japan 9 7 6 5 5 44 2.1 3.8 5.7 Jordan 70 62 53 48 46 34 0.6 2.4 4.7 Kazakhstan 61 43 22 12 10 84 9.2 10.9 12.6 Kenya 708 618 432 353 342 52 2.4 4.3 5.9 Kiribati 136 119 112 97 92 32 0.1 2.3 4.7 Kuwait 10 10 10 11 12 -20 -2.8 -0.7 1.2 Kyrgyzstan 79 82 79 66 60 24 0.0 1.6 2.8 Lao People’s Democratic 544 410 292 209 185 66 4.4 6.3 8.0 Republic Latvia 34 30 26 23 19 44 1.6 3.5 5.0 8 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimatesa,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Lebanon 28 24 23 29 29 -4 -2.9 -0.4 1.6 Lesotho 614 679 594 574 544 11 -1.6 0.7 2.5 Liberia 894 816 708 691 661 26 -0.4 1.8 3.5 Lithuania 17 14 10 9 8 53 2.1 4.2 6.5 Luxembourg 10 9 8 5 5 50 2.4 4.5 6.3 Madagascar 559 526 453 363 335 40 1.0 3.0 5.0 Malawi 749 610 444 370 349 53 2.3 4.5 6.5 Malaysia 38 31 30 30 29 24 0.2 1.5 2.7 Maldives 125 75 67 54 53 58 2.1 5.1 7.3 Mali 836 691 660 620 562 33 0.3 2.3 3.9 Malta 9 8 8 7 6 33 0.1 2.3 4.4 Mauritania 834 826 824 785 766 8 -2.0 0.5 2.6 Mauritius 59 53 66 73 61 -3 -2.8 -0.2 1.9 Mexico 55 54 46 36 33 40 2.6 3.0 3.3 Micronesia (Federated 154 133 110 95 88 43 1.0 3.3 5.6 States of) Mongolia 155 98 66 47 45 71 5.8 7.3 8.8 Montenegro 12 9 7 6 6 50 2.1 4.3 6.9 Morocco 188 131 92 74 70 63 4.2 5.8 7.5 Mozambique 798 577 412 318 289 64 3.9 6.0 7.7 Myanmar 340 299 265 246 250 26 -0.7 1.8 4.1 Namibia 348 346 266 217 195 44 1.4 3.4 4.9 Nepal 553 415 305 236 186 66 4.0 6.4 8.4 Netherlands 13 11 7 6 5 62 3.8 5.6 7.5 New Zealand 12 11 11 10 9 25 0.5 1.8 3.3 Nicaragua 162 131 112 101 98 40 1.2 3.0 4.5 Niger 813 755 663 555 509 37 0.8 2.7 4.5 Nigeria 1200 1080 978 931 917 24 -0.8 1.6 3.5 Norway 6 5 4 3 2 67 3.4 5.3 7.8 Oman 20 19 18 19 19 5 -1.0 0.3 1.6 Pakistan 286 237 191 154 140 51 2.0 4.2 6.4 Panama 91 88 79 58 52 43 2.1 3.3 4.7 Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 9 Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimatesa,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Papua New Guinea 249 200 168 151 145 42 0.9 3.2 5.5 Paraguay 162 136 107 89 84 48 2.5 3.9 5.5 Peru 144 118 104 94 88 39 1.5 2.9 4.6 Philippines 160 156 144 127 121 24 -0.3 1.7 3.3 Poland 7 4 3 2 2 71 4.5 6.6 8.9 Portugal 10 9 9 9 8 20 -0.6 1.6 3.3 Puerto Rico 26 23 21 20 21 19 -0.6 1.3 2.7 Qatar 14 12 10 9 9 36 0.5 2.6 4.5 Republic of Korea 17 15 15 12 11 35 1.4 2.4 3.6 Republic of Moldova 44 34 29 22 19 57 3.3 4.9 6.6 Republic of North 13 10 8 8 7 46 1.7 3.5 5.8 Macedonia Romania 54 35 27 21 19 65 4.3 6.3 8.3 Russian Federation 56 42 25 18 17 70 5.0 6.9 8.9 Rwanda 1160 643 373 275 248 79 7.0 9.1 10.7 Saint Lucia 86 83 109 115 117 -36 -4.7 -1.8 0.8 Saint Vincent and the 80 59 63 64 68 15 -0.9 0.9 3.1 Grenadines Samoa 88 72 58 45 43 51 1.7 4.2 6.6 Sao Tome and Principe 179 163 140 130 130 27 -0.1 1.9 4.3 Saudi Arabia 24 22 19 17 17 29 -0.2 2.1 4.5 Senegal 553 519 447 346 315 43 1.4 3.3 4.8 Serbia 13 12 12 13 12 8 -2.0 0.6 2.9 Seychelles 53 55 55 54 53 0 -2.4 0.0 2.4 Sierra Leone 2480 1760 1360 1180 1120 55 2.2 4.7 6.6 Singapore 13 13 10 9 8 38 0.4 2.9 5.3 Slovakia 8 7 6 6 5 38 0.6 2.3 4.0 Slovenia 12 10 8 7 7 42 1.6 3.3 5.0 Solomon Islands 245 188 141 112 104 58 3.0 5.0 7.0 Somalia 1210 1040 985 855 829 31 0.3 2.2 4.6 South Africa 160 201 171 125 119 26 0.1 1.7 3.0 South Sudan 1730 1480 1100 1110 1150 34 0.1 2.4 4.5 10 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimatesa,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Spain 5 5 4 4 4 20 0.0 1.7 3.0 Sri Lanka 56 45 38 36 36 36 1.7 2.7 3.5 State of Libya 70 57 53 70 72 -3 -2.6 -0.2 2.3 Sudan 667 529 408 320 295 56 2.7 4.8 7.1 Suriname 221 164 148 122 120 46 2.3 3.6 5.4 Sweden 5 5 4 4 4 20 -0.2 1.5 2.9 Switzerland 7 7 6 5 5 29 0.4 2.6 4.2 Syrian Arab Republic 26 25 27 30 31 -19 -4.0 -1.1 1.3 Tajikistan 53 32 23 18 17 68 4.3 6.8 9.5 Thailand 43 43 42 38 37 14 -0.5 0.8 2.1 Timor-Leste 745 415 219 160 142 81 7.7 9.8 11.9 Togo 489 492 440 398 396 19 -0.5 1.3 3.1 Tonga 77 66 57 54 52 32 0.0 2.3 4.6 Trinidad and Tobago 81 76 71 68 67 17 -0.6 1.1 2.7 Tunisia 66 51 46 46 43 35 0.7 2.4 4.8 Turkey 42 33 24 19 17 60 3.6 5.3 7.5 Turkmenistan 29 18 10 8 7 76 5.9 8.2 10.5 Uganda 578 491 430 387 375 35 0.5 2.5 4.2 Ukraine 35 33 25 21 19 46 1.6 3.6 5.5 United Arab Emirates 6 5 4 3 3 50 1.9 4.0 6.9 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern 10 11 10 8 7 30 1.9 2.7 3.6 Ireland United Republic of 854 721 644 556 524 39 0.9 2.9 4.4 Tanzania United States of America 12 13 15 18 19 -58 -3.3 -2.6 -1.9 Uruguay 26 22 17 18 17 35 1.2 2.4 3.6 Uzbekistan 41 38 31 30 29 29 0.1 2.0 3.6 Vanuatu 140 113 92 76 72 49 1.6 4.0 6.1 Venezuela (Bolivarian 119 113 117 115 125 -5 -2.2 -0.3 1.3 Republic of) Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, World Bank Group and the United Nations Population Division 11 Table 2 (continued). Trends in estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, maternal deaths per 100 000 live births), by country and territory, 2000–2017a Average annual rate of Overall reduction (ARR) point estimate change and range of uncertainty MMR point estimates a,b interval on ARR between 2000 in MMR between and 2017 (UI: 80%) Country and territory 2000 and (%) 2017c Average (%) Lower Upper 2000 2005 2010 2015 2017 ARR point UI UI estimated Viet Nam 68 54 47 45 43 37 0.5 2.6 4.6 West Bank and Gaza 70 59 45 32 27 61 3.4 5.6 8.1 Stripe Yemen 301 242 192 169 164 46 1.7 3.6 6.1 Zambia 528 421 305 232 213 60 3.7 5.3 6.8 Zimbabwe 579 685 598 480 458 21 0.1 1.4 2.9 a Estimates have been computed to ensure comparability across countries, thus they are not necessarily the same as official statistics of the countries, which may use alternative rigorous methods. b MMR estimates have been rounded according to the following scheme: < 100 rounded to nearest 1; 100–999 rounded to nearest 1; and ≥ 1000 rounded to nearest 10; and all calculations are based on rounded numbers. c Overall change for the whole period since the first year of the millennium (from 1 January 2000). d Average annual rate of reduction, for the whole period from the first year of the millennium (1 January 2000). e UNICEF, UNPFA, World Bank Group and UNPD refer to this territory as the State of Palestine. 12 Trends in maternal mortality: 2000 2017 For more information, please contact: Department of Reproductive Health and Research World Health Organization Avenue Appia 20 CH-1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland Email: reproductivehealth@who.int www.who.int/reproductivehealth WHO/RHR/19.23 © World Health Organization 2019 Some rights reserved. This work is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO licence (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/igo).