Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate in South Africa

South Africa: Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate was 109.6 in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
109.6
Change on year
down 26.0%
World rank
34th
of 146 countries
All-time high
702
in 2006
All-time low
41
in 1994
Years of data
29
1994–2022

Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate in South Africa, 1994–2022

02004006008001994200820221994: 411995: 471996: 581997: 601998: 611999: 672000: 712001: 822002: 752003: 842004: 1062005: 1122006: 7022007: 1522008: 1522009: 1572010: 1372011: 1042012: 862013: 782014: 842015: 782016: 4752017: 125.92018: 117.72019: 98.82020: 126.12021: 148.12022: 109.6

Source: International Monetary Fund.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 109.6 for maternal mortality ratio, national estimate in 2022.

The figure is down 26.0% on the previous year and up 27.4% over ten years.

Over the whole period, maternal mortality ratio, national estimate in South Africa peaked at 702 in 2006 and was at its lowest, 41, in 1994.

That places South Africa 34th out of 146 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the top quarter.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate in South Africa, 1994 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1994 41
1995 47 +14.6%
1996 58 +23.4%
1997 60 +3.4%
1998 61 +1.7%
1999 67 +9.8%
2000 71 +6.0%
2001 82 +15.5%
2002 75 -8.5%
2003 84 +12.0%
2004 106 +26.2%
2005 112 +5.7%
2006 702 +526.8%
2007 152 -78.3%
2008 152 +0.0%
2009 157 +3.3%
2010 137 -12.7%
2011 104 -24.1%
2012 86 -17.3%
2013 78 -9.3%
2014 84 +7.7%
2015 78 -7.1%
2016 475 +509.0%
2017 125.89 -73.5%
2018 117.69 -6.5%
2019 98.82 -16.0%
2020 126.06 +27.6%
2021 148.1 +17.5%
2022 109.6 -26.0%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 55.67 41 67 6
2000s 169.3 71 702 10
2010s 138.44 78 475 10
2020s 127.92 109.6 148.1 3

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 31 Yemen 137 compare
  2. 32 Jamaica 136.9 compare
  3. 33 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 125.44 compare
  4. 35 Cyprus 108 compare
  5. 36 Tanzania, United Republic of 104 compare
  6. 37 Morocco 88 compare

See the full ranking of 146 places →

More gender data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is maternal mortality ratio, national estimate in South Africa?
Maternal mortality ratio, national estimate in South Africa was 109.6 in 2022, according to International Monetary Fund.
What is the highest maternal mortality ratio, national estimate recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 702 in 2006.
What is the lowest maternal mortality ratio, national estimate recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 41 in 1994.
How does South Africa rank for maternal mortality ratio, national estimate?
South Africa ranks 34th out of 146 countries with data for 2022.
Is maternal mortality ratio, national estimate rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 27.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from International Monetary Fund, published as part of Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on International Monetary Fund. Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://gender.statizoid.com/stat/maternal-mortality-ratio-national-estimate/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Maternal Mortality Ratio, National Estimate
Source
International Monetary Fund
Licence
IMF Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
146 places, 3,284 data points, 1985–2023
Last refreshed

Gender-disaggregated data on health outcomes.