Global report on maternal mortality shows 34% decline since 1990

According to a recent report issued jointly by the WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and The World Bank, developing countries accounted for 99% of the estimated total of 358 000 maternal deaths worldwide. This recent estimate (using data from 2008) demonstrates a 34% decline in maternal mortality from the levels of 1990. While this is a significant decrease, UN officials express concern as the numbers are still well short of the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals.

By country, India had the largest number of maternal deaths (63,000), followed by Nigeria (50,000), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (19,000), Afghanistan (18,000), Ethiopia (14,000), Pakistan (14,000), the United Republic of Tanzania (14,000), Bangladesh (12,000), Indonesia (10,000), Sudan (9,700), and Kenya (7,900).

These 11 countries comprised an estimated 65% of the global maternal deaths reported in 2008.

Estimates of maternal mortality ratio (MMR, deaths per 100 000 live births), number of maternal deaths, and lifetime risk by United Nations MDG regions, 2008

Map with countries by category according to their maternal mortality ratio (MMR, deaths per 100 000 live births), 2008

Source:  Trends in Maternal Mortality:  1990 to 2008.  WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, The World Bank.